In Christianity, a red cross is commonly used as a symbol of the movement against social injustice. It draws on the colours of the Swiss flag and thus refers to Switzerland and Geneva.
The symbol of the red cross is a compilation of the Greek crosses and the Latin cross, with four lines drawn in each quarter. The lines represent the words taken from Matthew 10:28, written by Jesus Christ himself “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” It has appeared on flags, armorial bearings, icons and other images associated with Christianity for many centuries.
churchgist will give you all information on spiritual meaning of a red cross, The Secular Birth of the Red Cross, The Red Crescent and so much more.
The meaning of a red cross is that it symbolizes the blood of Christ, which was shed for us in order to save us from our sins and our death. The red cross has been used since ancient times as a symbol of protection and salvation. It was first used during the Crusades, when an army would wear a red cross on their shields or on their tunics as they fought against their enemies.
The Red Cross is an international humanitarian organization that provides aid to people in need all over the world. The Red Cross uses its humanitarian principles to help people who are victims of war or disaster, people who need medical care, people who have been displaced from their homes by natural disasters or other situations where help is needed quickly.
The red cross has been a symbol of aid and protection since it was first used during the Crusades, when it was applied to flags and banners to distinguish soldiers from enemy forces. Many countries have used the red cross as a symbol for their military medical services, but in modern times, it has also become associated with humanitarian aid organizations like the Red Cross.
The use of an object as a symbol can be traced back to prehistoric times; however, the first known use of the red cross as a heraldic emblem dates back to 1047 CE when it was used on coins minted in Jerusalem by crusaders. Over time, many governments and organizations adopted different forms of this same symbol. For example:
- The French flag features a white cross on a blue background;
- The Swiss flag features two white crosses on a red background;
- The Austrian flag features two red crosses on a white background;
- In England, Scotland and Wales, ambulances feature three red crosses on them;
spiritual meaning of a red cross
Is the red cross used as a symbol of the American Red Cross and International Red Cross a Christian symbol and are these organizations Christian in character? These organizations were founded as secular, humanitarian organizations, separate from governments and churches. Crosses have been used as symbols outside of Christianity. Or, as in this case, it is a couple of steps removed from its original Christian symbolism.
Today, a red cross is a protective symbol used for medical and humanitarian relief workers in war zones and at the sites of natural disasters. It is also widely used to designate first aid and medical supplies, apart from its use by the International Red Cross and other organizations.
The Secular Birth of the Red Cross
Media Matters reported in 2006 that the American Red Cross website said the symbol of a red cross on a white background was the reverse of the Swiss flag, a country known for its neutrality and also the home of the founder of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant. It was identified as a protective emblem to be used in conflict areas, showing neutrality and a humanitarian mission for their relief personnel and equipment.
The white cross on the Swiss flag originated in the 1200s as “a symbol of the Christian faith,” according to the Swiss Embassy in the United States. However, the Red Cross was founded as a secular, non-denominational organization, and they make no mention of Christianity as a reason for adopting the symbol.
The founder of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant, was a Swiss entrepreneur who was raised in the Calvinist faith in Geneva, Switzerland. He was deeply affected by the sight of 40,000 wounded and dying soldiers on the battlefield in Solferino, Italy, in 1859, where he was seeking an audience with Napolean III for business interests. He helped organize locals to help the wounded and dying soldiers.
This led to a book and then the first International Conference and the Geneva Convention in 1864. The red cross symbol and name was adopted for this humanitarian organization that would offer aid to all.
The American Red Cross was founded by Clara Barton, who lobbied the U.S. government to ratify the Geneva Convention. As with the international organization, it does not have a church affiliation.
The Red Crescent
The Red Crescent was used instead during the Russo-Turkish War from 1876-78. The Ottoman Empire, a Muslim nation, objected to the use of a red cross, which they associated with the symbols of the medieval crusaders. It was made an official emblem under the Geneva Conventions in 1929.
Ironic Arguments
Media pundit Bill O’Reilly provoked the Media Matters exploration when he used the Red Cross as an example of a Christian symbol to oppose removing the large Christian cross from Mt. Soledad in San Diego. O’Reilly isn’t the only person who thinks that the red cross is a Christian cross. If a vehicle is displaying a red cross rather than a red crescent, it might be targeted as a Christian vehicle in the wrong place in a war zone. Thus, Christians like Bill O’Reilly who are trying to defend Christianity are making the same mistakes as non-Christian terrorists who would like to attack Christianity.