Friday, April 28, 2006

I have a very old crucifix which has a skull and crossbones at the bottom of the cross. What does that mean? Also, what does INRI mean?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The skull and crossbones is a reference to Golgotha, "the place of a skull" (Jn. 19,17). An ancient tradition, moreover, has Adam's burial place beneath the Cross of Christ (the symbolism is pretty powerful).

INRI means "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum", or, "Jesus Christ, the King of the Jews". This was the inscription Pontius Pilate commanded to be mounted atop the Cross (Jn. 19,19-22).