So today I was surfing the internet and came across a thread about a kid getting suspended from a religious school for drawing an upside down cross on homework. So naturally I went on here to complain.
When you see this symbol, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Do you think of fear? Of blashphemy? Heredity?
Do you think of evil?
For years people have recognised the inverse cross as one, if not all of those three things. As a sign of Satan. The Devil's Cross.
But perhaps we are mistaken. What is the true meaning of the inverse cross? Is it truly a sign of Satan? The answer may not be obvious. To learn more, we must step back many centuries, to the time of St. Peter. Though he was only a lowly fisherman he eventually became the first Pope in history. Eventually, he was sentenced to be crucified by Nero Augustus Caesar. However, he did not think he was worthy enough, as a mere mortal, to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus Christ.
So what did he do?
He was crucified upside down as a sign of humility towards his supposed savior. The inverse cross has since become the trademark symbol of St. Peter.
So perhaps we are mistaken. Perhaps the inverse cross should be seen as a sign of modesty, humbleness to the outside world, or, if you will, humility towards God.
Or maybe it doesn't mean that at all I don't know.