The Jerusalem Cross, also known as the Crusader's Cross, is a potent heraldic symbol dating to the 11th century. Its central design features a large Greek cross with four smaller Greek crosses in each quadrant.
While adopted by Crusader kings, most notably Godfrey of Bouillon as the ruler of Jerusalem, its symbolism is layered. Medieval Christians interpreted it as representing the five wounds of Christ. More broadly, it is said to symbolize Jesus Christ's command to spread the Gospel from Jerusalem to the four corners of the world—the large central cross for the city itself and the four smaller crosses for the global mission.
Today, its legacy is complex. While it remains a central emblem for the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land and appears on the flag of modern Georgia, its primary association with the often-brutal Crusades makes it a controversial symbol to certain populations, viewed by some as a mark of faith and by others as one of conquest and religious conflict.
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