The Cross in Multicultural Symbolism

Rosicrucian Salon Bibliography
Steven Armstrong, PhD (Cand), Research Librarian
September 14, 2004

Pre-Christian Crosses, etc.: 

Cooke, Ian McNeil. Sun Disk to Crucifix: The Cross, A short illustrated
history. Penzance, Cornwall: Men-an-Tol Studios, nd. 

DesignBoom Web Page. "The sign of signs: the many permutations of the cross" http://www.designboom.com/history/cross_2.html. 

Miller, Crichton E. M. “The Celtic Cross.” Web Page. http://www.crichtonmiller.com/  & http://www.viewzone.com/crichton33.html.  

Peacelink.de. "Swastika." Mirror site at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika. 

Prinke, Rafal T. “Early Symbolism Of The Rosy Cross.” The Hermetic Journal, 25 (1984), 11-15. http://www.alchemywebsite.com/early_rc.html. 

Ulansey, David. Home page. http://www.well.com/user/davidu/. 

Ulansey, David. Origins of the Mithraic Mysteries. London: (Oxford University Press, revised paperback 1991. Ulansey theory that crossed legs of the Mythraic Torchbearers "represent the famous cross-- described by Plato in Timaeus 36c-- formed by the zodiac and the celestial equator, at the intersection point of which is the equinox" at http://www.well.com/user/davidu/appendix1.html. 

Wilson, Thomas, 1832-1902. The swastika, the earliest known symbol, and its migrations: with observations on the migration of certain industries in prehistoric times. Washington, D.C., 1896. From Annual report of the U.S. National Museum, 1894.  

Christian Cross: 

Benson, George Willard. The cross, its history & symbolism; an account of the symbol more universal in its use and more important in its significance than any other in the world. New York: Hacker Art Books, 1983. Reprint from 1934 edition.

“The Cross, its origin and significance.” Web page at http://www.ccg.org/english/s/p039.html. (A sectarian Christian site in the 20^th century "purification" school, but useful references.

Laliberté, Norman & Edward N. West. The history of the cross / Norman Laliberte and Edward N. West.  New York: Macmillan, 1960. 

Ward, Henry Dana, 1797-1884.  History of the cross: the pagan origin, and idolatrous adoption and worship, of the image. London, J. Nisbet & co.; Philadelphia, Claxton, Remsen, & Haffelfinger, 1871. (From the "purification" school of 19th century conservative Christians who sought to expunge all pagan elements from Christian Practice.)

Weidner, Jay & Vincent Bridges. A Monument to the End of Time: Alchemy,
Fulcanelli and the Great Cross. Aethyrea Books LLC, 2000.