Postby Arnobius » Fri Jun 03, 2005 5:48 pm
Well, let's see what I can do here, I do know a little... hopefully not too little
The Chi Ro is so called because Chi (X) and Ro (P) are the first two letters (in Greek) of the word Christos (Greek for Christ), so it's pretty old[Can we add "Symbol" to the font choices?]. Catholic Priests also wear it on their vestments too, so I don't think it's a denominational thing.
Many shapes were organizational or cultural in nature. The Maltese cross was used by the Knights of Malta from the time of the crusades (they still exist). The Tau cross is used by the Franciscan religious order. I think the Celtic cross was supposed to symbolize the rising Sun (SON), but may be mistaken
Others were cultural-- Like the Latin, the Orthodox and the Greek, they were the traditional style of their denominations. However, I have seen the Greek and Orthodox used in my denomination too, so it's not an exclusive thing.
As for the first cross, my personal thought is it is a cross that someone decorated. I don't see any markings that seem particularly theological.
Hope this didn't waste bandwidth...