Jerusalem Cross
Measures: 1 1/16 inches or 27 mm
Jerusalem Cross medal, vintage cross necklace pendant or charm with openwork - Catholic religious medals in authentic antique and vintage styles with amazing detail. Large collection of heirloom pieces made by hand in California, US. Available in true bronze and sterling silver.
This Jerusalem vintage cross necklace pendant also works well as a bracelet charm and is available in true bronze, and sterling silver.
This antique or vintage Jerusalem cross is part of our collection of old world medals that are reproduced preserving every detail of the originals. Hand made in the U.S.
Here are some Jerusalem crosses in our collection:
Jerusalem Cross, antique, granulated model
St Francis Praying Tau Jerusalem Cross
Jerusalem Cross, simple, antique model
Crusader cross meaning
What is a Jerusalem Cross? The symbolism and meaning of the five-fold cross, or crusader cross pendant, is variously given as the Five Wounds of Christ, Christ and the four quarters of the world, or Christ and the four evangelists.
The Jerusalem cross (also known as "Five-fold Cross", or "cross-and-crosslets") is a heraldic cross, similar to the Knights Templar cross. It is a Christian cross variant consisting of a large cross potent surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses, one in each quadrant. It was used as the emblem and coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from the 1280s.
The Jerusalem cross medal is not offensive to Christians, and it is not a Masonic or pagan symbol. Nowhere is the symbolism of the cross more potent than in Jerusalem crosses, with their four crosses in the corners of the emblem, surrounding the central cross.
The symbolism of the five-fold cross is variously given as the Five Wounds of Christ, Christ and the four evangelists, or Christ and the four quarters of the world.
In the early 20th century, the Jerusalem cross also came to be used as a symbol of world evangelization in Protestantism.
Jerusalem Cross (also known as the Crusader’s Cross)
Dating back to heraldic times, Jerusalem Crosses were the emblem and coat of arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem (Latin: Regnum Hierosolymitanum; Old French: Roiaume de Jherusalem), circa the 11th and 12th century, when Crusaders captured Jerusalem, establishing Christianity in the area.
The kingdom was ethnically, religiously, and linguistically diverse, although the crusaders themselves and their descendants were an elite Catholic minority. They imported many customs and institutions from their homelands in Western Europe, and as most Crusaders came from France, the official language of the kingdom was langue d’oeil, which was then spoken in northern France and by the Normans.
The Design of the Jerusalem Cross
Jerusalem crosses, also known as the Five-Fold Cross, or “cross-and-crosslets”, Jerusalem crosses are a variant of the cross and consists of a large cross that is surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses – one in each of the quadrant formed by the larger cross. There are variants to the design, also known as Jerusalem Cross, with either the four crosslets also in the form of Crosses potent, or conversely with the central cross also in the form of a plain Greek cross.
This same symbol was adopted as the coat of arms and the emblem of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from the 1280s. The Jerusalem cross was given by Pope Urban II to the crusaders in the Middle ages. It was then adopted by the Crusaders and is, therefore also known as the ‘Crusader’s Cross.’
Jerusalem Crosses: The Significance
There are various takes on what the heraldic emblem represents. The red of the cross symbolizes God’s sacrifice for man.
The Four Gospels
One is that the four smaller crosses in each of the quadrants made up by the bigger cross represent the authors of the gospels – Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. These writers also helped spread the word of Jesus in the four corners of the world.
Evangelism
Today these four crosses or crosslets are viewed as a symbol of Christ’s command to spread the Gospel around the world – a mission that was started in Jerusalem.
Teaching
It is also viewed as a combination of the teachings of the Old Testament (the four Tau crosses) and the teachings of the New Testament (the four Greek crosses).
The Five Wounds of Christ
Another symbolism is the representation of the five wounds of Christ. The smaller crosses represent the wounds on Christ’s feet and hands, and the larger central cross represents the wound inflicted by a soldier’s spear.
The Eight Beatitudes
Today, many believers wear the Jerusalem Cross as a sign of commitment to the eight Beatitudes – the way that Jesus Christ taught us to reach the kingdom of heaven.
Catholic Medals
Wearing a medal around the neck is a cherished Catholic tradition. Little girls might love the scrolls and Calla Lily decorations on some of the old medals, boys may be attracted to the images of swords and dragons, but all children are quite curious about the religious images on every Catholic medallion and the stories behind them.
Antique Medals
The medallions in our collection are created from authentic antique or vintage medals, and cast using the lost wax method to preserve the exact details found in the original antique medallion models.
Miraculous Medal Necklace
It is hard to choose from all the renditions on our collection of the most famous and popular of all medals. Whether you decide on a sterling silver Miraculous medal, or prefer the bronze medallions, you can finish your religious medal necklace with one of our finished chains from the Chain Necklaces section. They come with several jump rings and bails and are very easy to put on and take off.
We have several styles of chains to suit every taste and they come in different sizes. There is a convenient option as well to choose the size you want, for those of us who know exactly the length we need to get the look we are after.
Catholic Religious Medals
Browse the catalog to see our antique religious medals or use the Search command to find medals of Saint Michael and other archangels, as well as St Francis, and St Joseph.
Saint Medallions
Search your favorites by their name or find saint medals of the most popular, like St Benedict, St Jude or St Christopher. You will be delighted to find stunning patron saint medals from different epochs and parts of the world such as St Joan, St Cecilia and St Hubert.
Scapular Medals
Pope St. Pius V started the tradition of blessing medals and attaching an indulgence to them on 1572. Since then, scapular medals with the images of Jesus and Mary are blessed by priests and worn with that meaning in mind.
We have a wide variety of beautiful scapular medals to choose from, of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or Jesus and Our Blessed Mother medals, in different sizes, antique or vintage style.
Rosary Medals
Another Catholic tradition is to place devotional holy medals on a rosary. The Enchiridion of Indulgences states that the faithful, who devoutly use an article of devotion, be it a crucifix or cross, rosary, scapular, or medal, that has been properly blessed by any priest, obtain a partial indulgence.
Our Lady Mary Medallions
While praying a rosary, the awareness of the images on a medal help elevate our heart and motivate us to accept and fulfill the will of God. Marian renditions are among the most beloved, including Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes, and Guadalupe Medals.
In the Spanish tradition, medals of Nuestra Senora del Carmen (Our Lady of Carmel) and Cachita, Nuestra Senora de la Caridad del Cobre (Our Lady of Charity) are immensely popular.
Jerusalem Cross 
