The Chi Rho results from superimposing the first two (capital) letters chi (X) and rho (Ρ) of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (Christ).
The cross is also fairly easy to recognise as being alluded to.
It is often surrounded by a circle.
This post is the second in a new series reflecting on Christian signs, symbols, and similar.
Outside of the Christian context, Chi Rho was used to mark manuscripts and coins as χρηστόν (good, serviceable).
The “sign” is regularly understood to have been the Chi Rho.
The sun with rays is often seen in the image of the Ankh, which bears obvious similarities to the Chi Rho. There may be a connection between Constantine combining the God the Sun and God the Son – some would see echoes of this in the dating of Christmas.
The Ankh is often found in early Coptic art representing the Tree of Life. It is like a person with outstretched arms (orans). The Coptic Church accepted the ankh as a Christian symbol as early as the fourth century. In a number of murals and carvings from the 4th to the 9th century, the ankh is shown together with a Greek cross and a Chi Rho, showing the merging of meanings.
There are in the local Anglican Church embroidered Stations of the Cross given by me in memory of my wife. They are by a renowned Australian embroiderer and are symbolic not pictorial in style. They extend through the descent into sheol and two resurrection stations. One employs the ankh as te tree of life growing out of the crucifixion.
This sounds brilliant, Brian. Are images of them on a site, the parish site? Blessings.
We are working on it. Old fashioned, our parish web site is just developing