To Catholics, the cross is the icon of salvation. It symbolizes suffering; someone else’s suffering so that others may be free from sin. In a passionately religious country like ours, the catholic cross can be seen everywhere. It is a necessary fixture in churches. We see them hanging in homes. Some people even have tiny crosses that they just hold in their hands as a sign of prayer.

The cross is one of the oldest symbols known to man. It was believed to be a weapon against evil. People made the sign of the cross before embarking on a trip or starting a new project. To others, it is a symbol of thanksgiving; they make the sign of the cross before a meal to indicate gratitude for the blessing of food before them. Over the years the simple image of two lines crossing each other one vertically, the other, horizontally has assumed many different interpretations.