Nestorian cross

Yuan dynasty stone-carved Nestorian Cross, from Fangshan District, Beijing (then called Khanbaliq)

The Nestorian Cross is associated with the Assyrian Church of the East. It is composed of a cross similar to the St. John's Cross, with three dots lining the left cross bar, three dots lining the right, two dots lining the top bar, and one dot on the bottom bar. These nine dots represent the nine orders of ministry within the church. Between the two dots on the top bar is a crown with three prongs, representing the Trinity.

In Assyrian Christian art found on tombs in ancient China, these crosses are sometimes simplified and depicted as resting on a lotus flower or on a stylized cloud.

Gallery

Nestorian Headstone
Nestorian Cross found in China
Nestorian Cross found in China
Two Nestorian Crosses found in China
The Cross from Nestorian Stele
Nestorian altar-type grave monument shows a stone grave marker with cross symbol on its flat top
Persian Cross from India
Nestorian headstone rubbing with cross-on-lotus symbol

Sources

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