Cross of Saint Peter

A Cross of Peter is an inverted Latin cross

The Cross of Saint Peter or Petrine Cross is an inverted Latin cross, traditionally used as a Christian symbol, but in recent times also used as an anti-Christian symbol. In Christianity, it is associated with the martyrdom of Peter the Apostle. The symbol originates from the Catholic tradition that when sentenced to death, Peter requested that his cross be upside down, as he felt unworthy of being crucified in the same manner as Jesus. The Petrine Cross is also associated with the papacy, reflecting the Catholic belief that the pope is the successor of Peter as bishop of Rome.

In Christianity[]

Crucifixion of Saint Peter by Caravaggio, 1601

Peter's Cross on a Lutheran church in Kemi, Finland

The origin of the symbol comes from the belief that Peter the Apostle was crucified upside down,^[1] as told by Origen of Alexandria. The tradition first appears in the "Martyrdom of Peter", a fragmented text found in, but possibly predating, the apocryphal Acts of Peter, which was written no later than 200 A.D. It is believed that Peter requested this form of crucifixion as he felt he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus. As such, some Christians use this cross as a symbol of humility and unworthiness in comparison to Jesus.^{[citation needed]}

According to Roman Catholicism, the pope is Peter's successor as bishop of Rome. Therefore, the Papacy is often represented by symbols that are also used to represent Peter, one example being the Petrine Cross.^[2]

Eugene Vintras and becoming an occult symbol[]

Today, the cross of Saint Peter is also known as an occult symbol. It is suggested that the first person to use the symbol in this manner is [fr], a 19th century cult leader known for his claim to be the reincarnation of the Prophet Elijah as well as his demonic rituals and perverted acts for which he was condemned by the Pope, tried and imprisoned.

Vintras wore robes bearing the inverted cross. The famous French occultist Eliphas Levi wrote that this was a sign of Vintras's satanic inclinations.

Over time, the Petrine cross came to be known more commonly as an occult symbol. Starting with the 1960s, several TV productions and movie franchises featured the Cross of Saint Peter as a symbol representing the Antichrist and Satan making it one of the most popular satanic symbols today.^[3]

In popular culture[]

The inverted cross is a recurring motif in metal music particularly in black metal in congruity with its anti-Christian themes. One well-known example is Glen Benton of the band Deicide who branded an inverted cross onto his forehead.^[4]

Former Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward suggested that the use of an inverted cross on the inner gatefold sleeve of their debut album by their label Vertigo may have been a promotional ploy or a misunderstanding of the nature of the group.^[5]

The Swedish metal band Ghost makes use of the inverted cross in place of the final "t" in the band's wordmark.

Many horror films use inverted crosses as part of their imagery and marketing, especially if the film involves demonic themes. Examples include The Conjuring and Paranormal Activity.^[6]

In the Chemin de la Croix by French composer Marcel Dupré, at the part where Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross, an inverted cross motif appears at bar 7 and then twice more before it is replaced with a pastoral theme.^[7]

In the BBC television comedy series The Vicar of Dibley, Geraldine Granger is regularly seen wearing the cross as a pendant.

Chrollo Lucilfer and Shizuku Murasaki from manga series Hunter × Hunter sport the cross - Chrollo has it emblazoned on the back of his coat and Shizuku wears it as a necklace. Meme Oshino from the Monogatari series also has the inverted cross as an earring.

References[]

^ Our Christian Symbols by Friedrich Rest (ISBN 0-8298-0099-9), p. 29
^ Olderr, Steven (10 February 2017). Symbolism: A Comprehensive Dictionary, 2d ed. North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 62. ISBN 9780786490677. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
^ "Upside Down Cross Meaning And Symbolism, The Petrine Cross". 2021-07-04. Retrieved 2021-08-05.
^ "The 50 Most Evil Songs Ever". Kerrang!. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
^ O'Neill, Christine. "Bill Ward: Black Sabbath inverted cross was a promotional ploy", Louder Sound, August 26, 2016
^ "Here's What an Upside Down Cross Really Means". 18 April 2018.
^ Steed, Graham. The Organ Works of Marcel Dupré. Pendragon Press. p. 66. Retrieved 20 July 2019.

External links[]

Saint Peter - Catholic Encyclopedia

[1] Our Christian Symbols by Friedrich Rest (ISBN 0-8298-0099-9), p. 29

[2] Olderr, Steven (10 February 2017). Symbolism: A Comprehensive Dictionary, 2d ed. North Carolina: McFarland & Company. p. 62. ISBN 9780786490677. Retrieved 20 July 2019.

[3] "Upside Down Cross Meaning And Symbolism, The Petrine Cross". 2021-07-04. Retrieved 2021-08-05.

[4] "The 50 Most Evil Songs Ever". Kerrang!. Retrieved 20 July 2019.

[5] O'Neill, Christine. "Bill Ward: Black Sabbath inverted cross was a promotional ploy", Louder Sound, August 26, 2016

[6] "Here's What an Upside Down Cross Really Means". 18 April 2018.

[7] Steed, Graham. The Organ Works of Marcel Dupré. Pendragon Press. p. 66. Retrieved 20 July 2019.

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v t Christian cross variants
In modern use	Anchored/Saint Clement's Cross Anuradhapura cross Cross of the Archangels Archiepiscopal cross Armenian Cross Arrow/Barby Cross Bolnisi cross Cross bottony Branch cross Bulgarian cross Byzantine cross Calvary cross Canterbury cross Catherine wheel Celtic cross Cercelée Cross of Saint Chad Coptic cross Cross crosslet Cross crosslet fitchy Crucifix Cruciform halo Double cross Eastern Syriac cross Ethiopian-Eritrean cross Cross of the Evangelists Short Sword Cross fleury Cross fleury fitchy Saint Florian Cross Forked cross Cross fourchy Fylfot Saint George's Cross Globus cruciger Gnostic cross Grapevine/Saint Nino's Cross Greek cross Greek Orthodox cross Huguenot cross Saint James/Santiago Cross Cross of Jeremiah Jerusalem/Crusaders' cross Jerusalem cross (variant) Kingdom of Jerusalem cross Cross of Saint John Latin (Roman) cross Macedonian Cross Maltese cross Marian Cross Maronite cross Cross moline Nordic Cross Cross of Novgorod Occitan cross Order of Christ Cross Papal cross Cross patonce Saint Patrick's Saltire Cross pattée Cross pattée fitchée Patriarchal cross Cross of Saint Peter Cross of Saint Philip Pommy cross Portate cross/Cross of Saint Gilbert Cross potent Cross quadrate Ringed cross Russian cross Russian Orthodox cross Cross of Salem Saltire/Saint Andrew's Cross Serbian cross Serbian Orthodox cross Saint Thomas Cross Tau Cross/Saint Anthony's Cross Western Syriac cross
Historical	Avellane cross Aviz cross Brigid's cross Carolingian cross Consecration crosses Coptic cross Cross and Crown Cuthbert's pectoral cross Early Coptic cross Engrailed cross Cross erminée Gammadion Crux gemmata Saint Julian's cross Katanga Cross Lazarus' cross Lorraine cross Cross of Neith Nestorian cross Cross of Peñalba Pierced cross Pierced cross quarterly Knights Templar cross Teutonic Order cross Two-barred cross Victory Cross Voided cross
By function	Altar cross Blessing cross Conciliation cross Crosses in heraldry Nordic Pisan High cross Market cross Mercat cross Memorial cross Mission cross Monumental cross Necklace Pectoral cross Plague cross Processional cross Rood/Triumphal cross Summit cross Wayside cross
Christograms, Chrismons	Chi Rho Christogram IX monogram Labarum Signum manus Staurogram/Monogrammatic cross/Tau Rho
See also	Ankh Armenian eternity sign Balkenkreuz Ichthys Irminsul Kolovrat Lauburu Mjölnir Rose Cross Rota Solomon's knot Scientology cross Shamrock Shield of the Trinity Sunwheel swastika Sun cross Swastika Triskelion/Triskele Descriptions in antiquity of the execution cross
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