Symbolism of "Russian" Cross

[Sacrum Silentium]

Russian cross is a term I use loosely, as I'm not sure exactly what it's called, but... what I'm wondering is this: What's the symbology of this cross? The slanted bar at the bottom?

I've always wondered, but never knew. And I don't like looking it up in places like Wikipedia because you never know if you're reading the truth.

Thanks in advance. :)

[nutroll]

Well the Reader's Digest version goes something like this. The top bar is the placard on which "King of the Jews" was written, the middle bar is the bar on which Jesus' hands were nailed, and the bottom bar is a footrest on which Christ's feet were nailed. The bottom bar is slanted like a balance scale, with the left-hand side (which was Jesus' right and the side on which the good thief was crucified) elevated.

[Michael the Iconographer]

http://www.churchofthenativity.net/explain/crsmain.html

[Michael the Iconographer]

Don't forget the skull of Adam which is at the bottom of crosses with a corpse, symbolizing that the first person to sin was the first set free by the blood of Christ.

[Adammi]

I always thought that it was symbolizing Jesus' right foot being across his left one.

[nutroll]

I always thought that it was symbolizing Jesus' right foot being across his left one.
When the crucifixion is depicted in icons, there are two nails for the feet, one in each foot, so there would be no reason for the feet to be crossed over each other.

[Sacrum Silentium]

Thanks very much for the info, guys. That link was especially helpful.

You guys will probably see me around a bit more from time to time. Thanks again. :wave:

[Michael the Iconographer]

Feel free to ask anything you need about icons. Either nutroll or myself are more than able to answer.