The Triumph of the Cross

Abstract

IN the beginning the cross and the lamb were both symbols of Christ, but the cross was also an emblem of His Passion, and on sarcophagi is carried by Christ as a distinguishing mark, as well as by the apostle Peter, who was admitted to share His Passion. The lamb was also a symbol of the faithful. In order to be more specific, therefore, the Agnus Dei was employed, “the Lamb that was slain,” and the lamb carries the cross or is somehow in juxtaposition with it, as on the triumphal arch of SS. Cosma e Damiano (530). On the reliquary cross of Justin II (†573) the figure has assumed the traditional aspect, standing and holding with one foreleg the long-stemmed cross. Its place is on sarcophagi, crosses (reliquary or altar crosses), reliquary caskets, and portable altars.¹ It may have direct apocalyptic significance, as in the Aemilianensis manuscript (Fig. 7).