What is Latin cross?
[[File:Cruz.svg|thumb|100px|{{Center|A Crux immissa or Latin cross}}]] [[File:Transept1.png|thumb|100px|{{Center|Latin cross floor plan. Shaded area is the transept}}]] A '''Latin cross''' or '''''Crux immissa''''' is a type of [[Christian cross]] in which the [[wikt:vertical|vertical]] beam sticks above the [[wikt:crossbeam|crossbeam]].<ref>Herbert Norris, ''Church Vestments: Their Origin and Development'' (Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2002), p. 128</ref> This is the main representation of the cross by which [[Crucifixion of Jesus|Jesus Christ]] was [[Crucifixion|crucified]]. The Latin cross began as a [[Roman Catholic]] [[emblem]] but later became a universal symbol of [[Christianity]].<ref>Ryan K. Smith, ''Gothic Arches, Latin Crosses: Anti-Catholicism and American Church Designs'' (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 2006), p. 16</ref> If displayed [[wikt:upside down|upside down]] it is called [[Cross of St. Peter|St. Peter's Cross]] because he was reputedly [[execution|executed]] on this type of cross.<ref name=Mori32>Joyce Mori, ''Crosses of Many Cultures'' (Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing, 1998), p. 32</ref> When displayed [[sideways]] it is called [[Philip the Apostle|St. Philip]]'s cross for the same reason.<ref name=Mori32/> A '''Latin cross plan''' is a [[floor plan]] found in many [[cathedral]]s and [[church]]es.<ref>''St. Peter's in the Vatican'', ed. William Tronzo (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005), p. 275</ref> When looked at from above or in [[plan view]] it takes the shape of a Latin cross (''crux immissa'').<ref name=Zirpolo314>Lilian H. Zirpolo, ''Historical Dictionary of Baroque Art and Architecture'' (Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2010), p. 314</ref> The Latin cross plans have a [[nave]] with [[aisle]]s or [[chapel]]s, or both and a [[transept]] that forms the arms of the cross.<ref name=Zirpolo314/> It also has at least one [[apse]] that traditionally faces [[east]]. Many also have a [[narthex]] at the entry.<ref name=Zirpolo314/> == Related pages ==