![Cross Santiago](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Cross_Santiago.svg)
The Cross of Saint James, also known as the Santiago cross, ''cruz espada,'' or Saint James' Cross, is a
heraldic badge that is
cruciform
Cruciform is a term for physical manifestations resembling a common cross or Christian cross. The label can be extended to architectural shapes, biology, art, and design.
Cruciform architectural plan
Christian churches are commonly describe ...
in design. The cross, shaped as a
cross fitchy
A number of cross symbols were developed for the purpose of the emerging system of heraldry, which appeared in Western Europe in about 1200. This tradition is partly in the use of the Christian cross an emblem from the 11th century, and increasi ...
, combines with either a
cross fleury
A cross fleury (or flory) is a cross adorned at the ends with flowers in heraldry. It generally contains the fleur-de-lis, trefoils, etc. Synonyms or minor variants include ''fleuretty'', ''fleuronny'', ''floriated'' and ''flourished''.
In early ...
or a
cross moline
The cross moline (also cross anchory, French ''croix ancrée'' "anchor cross") is a Christian cross, constituting a kind of heraldic cross.
History
The name derives from its shape, which resembles a millrind, the iron clamp of the upper millst ...
. Its most common version is a red cross resembling a sword, with the hilt and the arm in the shape of a fleur-de-lis.
It gets its name from
James the Great
James the Great, also known as James, son of Zebedee, Saint James the Great, Saint James the Greater, Saint James the Elder, or Saint Jacob (Aramaic ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܪ ܙܒܕܝ, Arabic يعقوب, Hebrew בן זבדי , '' Yaʿăqōḇ'', Latin '' ...
er and the account of his appearance at the
Battle of Clavijo
The Battle of Clavijo is a mythical battle, which was believed for centuries to be historical, and it became a popular theme of Spanish traditions regarding the Christian expulsion of the Muslims. The stories about the battle are first found centu ...
in the Spanish victory over the
Moors
The term Moor, derived from the ancient Mauri, is an exonym first used by Christian Europeans to designate the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and Malta during the Middle Ages.
Moors are not a distinct or ...
. It is used widely throughout Spain and Portugal.
Background
In
heraldry, the cross is also called the ''Santiago cross'' or the ''cruz espada'' (English: sword cross).
It is a
charge
Charge or charged may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Films
* '' Charge, Zero Emissions/Maximum Speed'', a 2011 documentary
Music
* ''Charge'' (David Ford album)
* ''Charge'' (Machel Montano album)
* ''Charge!!'', an album by The Aqu ...
, or symbol, in the form of a
cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is termed a sa ...
. The design combines a cross fitchy or fitchée, one whose lower limb comes to a point, with either a cross fleury,
the arms of which end in
fleurs-de-lis
The fleur-de-lis, also spelled fleur-de-lys (plural ''fleurs-de-lis'' or ''fleurs-de-lys''), is a lily (in French, and mean 'flower' and 'lily' respectively) that is used as a decorative design or symbol.
The fleur-de-lis has been used in the ...
, or a cross moline,
of which the ends of the arms are forked and rounded.
The most common version is a red cross resembling a sword, with the shape of a fleur-de-lis on the hilt and the arms.
The three fleurs-de-lis represent the "honor without stain," which is in reference to the character of the Apostles. The sword is said to represent both the courage of James, and the manner of his
martyr
A martyr (, ''mártys'', "witness", or , ''marturia'', stem , ''martyr-'') is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an externa ...
dom, as he was beheaded with a sword.
The insignia is said to have originated from the mythical
Battle of Clavijo
The Battle of Clavijo is a mythical battle, which was believed for centuries to be historical, and it became a popular theme of Spanish traditions regarding the Christian expulsion of the Muslims. The stories about the battle are first found centu ...
, wherein Saint James appeared to
Ramiro I of Asturias
Ramiro I (c. 790 – 1 February 850) was king of Asturias (modern-day Spain) from 842 until his death in 850. Son of King Bermudo I, he became king following a succession struggle after his predecessor, Alfonso II, died without children. During ...
after the king prayed to the
patron saint
A patron saint, patroness saint, patron hallow or heavenly protector is a saint who in Catholicism, Anglicanism, or Eastern Orthodoxy is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or perso ...
of
Galicia for help leading the army to victory over the
Moors
The term Moor, derived from the ancient Mauri, is an exonym first used by Christian Europeans to designate the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and Malta during the Middle Ages.
Moors are not a distinct or ...
.
A comparison of the crosses that make up the Cross of St. James:
File:Croix_fitchée.svg, Cross fitchy
A number of cross symbols were developed for the purpose of the emerging system of heraldry, which appeared in Western Europe in about 1200. This tradition is partly in the use of the Christian cross an emblem from the 11th century, and increasi ...
File:Cross-Flory-Heraldry.svg, Cross fleury
A cross fleury (or flory) is a cross adorned at the ends with flowers in heraldry. It generally contains the fleur-de-lis, trefoils, etc. Synonyms or minor variants include ''fleuretty'', ''fleuronny'', ''floriated'' and ''flourished''.
In early ...
File:Cross-Moline-Heraldry.svg, Cross moline
The cross moline (also cross anchory, French ''croix ancrée'' "anchor cross") is a Christian cross, constituting a kind of heraldic cross.
History
The name derives from its shape, which resembles a millrind, the iron clamp of the upper millst ...
File:St James Cross.svg, Cross of Saint James
Use
![Tarta de Santiago (4467497071)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Tarta_de_Santiago_%284467497071%29.jpg)
Medieval
Pilgrim
A pilgrim (from the Latin ''peregrinus'') is a traveler (literally one who has come from afar) who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journey (often on foot) to some place of special significance to the adherent of ...
s embarking on the
Camino de Santiago would bring a pastry with them on their way to
St. James' shrine in Galicia.
Since the early part of the 20th century, the cross has been used as a decorative element on the almond
pastry
Pastry is baked food made with a dough of flour, water and shortening (solid fats, including butter or lard) that may be savoury or sweetened. Sweetened pastries are often described as '' bakers' confectionery''. The word "pastries" sugges ...
''
Tarta de Santiago
Torta de Santiago (in Galician) or Tarta de Santiago (in Spanish), literally meaning ''cake of St. James'', is an almond cake or pie from Galicia with origin in the Middle Ages and the Camino de Santiago. The filling principally consists of grou ...
''. A traditional
Galician dessert made from ground almonds, the top of the pie is decorated with
powdered sugar
Powdered sugar, also called confectioners' sugar, or icing sugar, is a finely ground sugar produced by milling granulated sugar into a powdered state. It usually contains between 2% and 5% of an anti-caking agent – such as corn starch, p ...
, masked by an imprint of the cross which gives the dessert its name.
A red cross on a white field is a common design for a Christian cross. The cross is the symbol of the crucifixion, the white color symbolizing purity, and the red color symbolizes the
blood of Christ
Blood of Christ, also known as the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in Christian theology refers to (a) the physical blood actually shed by Jesus Christ primarily on the Cross, and the salvation which Christianity teaches was accomp ...
.
A red Cross of Saint James, with flourished arms and
scalloped
Scallop () is a common name that encompasses various species of marine bivalve mollusks in the taxonomic family Pectinidae, the scallops. However, the common name "scallop" is also sometimes applied to species in other closely related families ...
top, over a field of white was the emblem of the 12th-century Spanish
Order of Santiago
The Order of Santiago (; es, Orden de Santiago ), is a religious and military order founded in the 12th century. It owes its name to the Patron Saint of Spain, "Santiago" (St. James the Greater). Its initial objective was to protect the pilgri ...
and Portuguese
Military Order of Saint James of the Sword
The Military Order of Saint James of the Sword ( pt, Ordem Militar de Sant'Iago da Espada) is a Portuguese order of chivalry. Its full name is the Ancient, Most Noble and Enlightened Military Order of Saint James of the Sword, of the Scientif ...
. Both were named after
James the Great
James the Great, also known as James, son of Zebedee, Saint James the Great, Saint James the Greater, Saint James the Elder, or Saint Jacob (Aramaic ܝܥܩܘܒ ܒܪ ܙܒܕܝ, Arabic يعقوب, Hebrew בן זבדי , '' Yaʿăqōḇ'', Latin '' ...
er.
In Spain, the
Order of Santiago
The Order of Santiago (; es, Orden de Santiago ), is a religious and military order founded in the 12th century. It owes its name to the Patron Saint of Spain, "Santiago" (St. James the Greater). Its initial objective was to protect the pilgri ...
, a religious and military order founded in the 12th century, was founded to protect the pilgrims on the
Camino, and to defend Christendom against the
Moors
The term Moor, derived from the ancient Mauri, is an exonym first used by Christian Europeans to designate the Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, the Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and Malta during the Middle Ages.
Moors are not a distinct or ...
then on the
Iberian Peninsula
The Iberian Peninsula (),
**
* Aragonese and Occitan: ''Peninsula Iberica''
**
**
* french: Péninsule Ibérique
* mwl, Península Eibérica
* eu, Iberiar penintsula also known as Iberia, is a peninsula in southwestern Europe, def ...
.
Knights of the order wore the cross stamped on the their standards and white capes.
On the Camino, the cross is often seen with a
Pilgrim's scallop to mark the way of the pilgrimage.
It is said that the "fitchy" shape originated in the era of the
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars initiated, supported, and sometimes directed by the Latin Church in the medieval period. The best known of these Crusades are those to the Holy Land in the period between 1095 and 1291 that were ...
, when the knights took with them small crosses with sharpened bottoms to stick them in the ground
and carry out their daily devotions.
Gallery
;Examples of the cross displayed on the ''Way of Saint James'':
File:Navarrete pavement camino marker.jpg, A pavement marker indicates the route of the Way of St James through Navarrete, La Rioja
Navarrete is a municipality of the autonomous community of La Rioja. Named a '' Conjunto Histórico-Artístico'' of Spain, due to its historical and monumental character. Navarrete is located between Logroño and Nájera on the French Way, the ...
, Spain
File:Vieira Camino de Santiago.jpg, St James pilgrim accessories (Note the cross on the shepherd's gourd)
File:Zittau Jakobsweg (9911).jpg, Waymark of the Way of St. James (white shell, red cross) in the city center of Zittau, Saxony, Germany.
;Examples of the cross displayed throughout
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
:
File:Málaga - Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol 10.jpg, alt=, Cross on the façade of Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol, in Málaga
File:Santiago 26-80a.jpg, alt=, Cross on a shell, in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
The Santiago de Compostela Archcathedral Basilica (Spanish and Galician: ) is part of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela and is an integral component of the Santiago de Compostela World Heritage Site in Galicia, Spain. The c ...
, in Galicia
File:Valladolid - Residencia de estudiantes Santiago 3.jpg, alt=, St. James Cross on the entry gates to a student residence in Valladolid
Valladolid () is a municipality in Spain and the primary seat of government and de facto capital of the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is also the capital of the province of the same name. It has a population around 300,000 peop ...
File:Coat of Arms of La Rioja (Spain).svg, Coat of Arms of La Rioja
La Rioja () is an autonomous community and province in Spain, in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Its capital is Logroño. Other cities and towns in the province include Calahorra, Arnedo, Alfaro, Haro, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, an ...
;Examples of the cross in art:
File:Principe de Asturias.jpg, alt=, Portrait of Prince Alfonso, by Philip Alexius de László, with the cross embroidered on the side of his jacket
File:Saintjamesconquistador.JPG, 17th century painting of Saint James, wearing the habit of the Order of Santiago
The Order of Santiago (; es, Orden de Santiago ), is a religious and military order founded in the 12th century. It owes its name to the Patron Saint of Spain, "Santiago" (St. James the Greater). Its initial objective was to protect the pilgri ...
. Painting by unknown artist of the Cuzco School
The Cusco School (''Escuela cuzqueña'') or Cuzco School, was a Roman Catholic artistic tradition based in Cusco, Peru (the former capital of the Inca Empire) during the Colonial period, in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It was not limited to ...
File:Quevedo (copia de Velázquez).jpg, Francisco de Quevedo
Francisco Gómez de Quevedo y Santibáñez Villegas, Knight of the Order of Santiago (; 14 September 1580 – 8 September 1645) was a Spanish nobleman, politician and writer of the Baroque era. Along with his lifelong rival, Luis de Góngora ...
File:Retrato de José Antonio Marqués Caballero.jpg, by Goya
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (; ; 30 March 174616 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter and printmaker. He is considered the most important Spanish artist of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His paintings, drawings, and e ...
Further reading
*
*
*
See also
*
Saint George's Cross
In heraldry, Saint George's Cross, the Cross of Saint George, is a red cross on a white background, which from the Late Middle Ages became associated with Saint George, the military saint, often depicted as a crusader.
Associated with the cru ...
References
External links
*
*
{{Christian crosses
Christian crosses
Saint James