No other country in the world has conceived such a vast quantity of types of crosses as Ethiopia,a Christian enclave in eastern Africa.

Ever since the conversion of the country to Christianity(around 330 AD),the omnipresence of the cross seems almost universal,not only as a liturgical instrument in churches and monasteries,but also in popular devotion and in everyday life,as a unifying and sistinctive element of a people.

The ancient empire of Aksum was the first to show the cross on its coins,and the same symbol marks the architecture and landscape of Ethionpia.It bears witness to its appurtenance.It qualifies it.Large,fine crosses are borne erect on a long shaft dureing holy functions and processions;handheld crosses-like those still worn by priests today-are proffered to the devout to kiss;pectoral crosses accompany the lives of the faithful.All are fruit of the inventiveness of Ethiopian craftsmen,and take the most varied forms and materials.

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Acknowledgements

The Sign of the Cross in Ethiopia

Historical and Symbolic References

The Fundamentals of Cross Morphology

Group I. Non-circumscribed Crosses

 Crosses with Arms of Parallel Sides

 Patee Crosses

 Crosses with Naturalistic Accentuations

 Crosses with Intertwined Arms

 Texture Crosses

Group II.Crosses Inscribed in Squares

Group III.Crosses Inscribed in Lozenges

Group IV.Crosses Inscribed in Circles

Group V.Crosses Inscribed in Arches

Group VI.Crosses Inscribed in Quatrelobe Profiles

Appendix

 Staff-mounted Crosses: Functions, Production

 Techniques and Constituent Elements

 Insertions at the Arms' Intersection

 Additions at the Apices of the Arms

 The Shaft Structure

Bibliography

Photo Credits