Crosses

Cross form

Coptic crosses

Also: crux ansata (ankh-cross) · Coptic hand cross

Drawing under review. Redrawn on 21 October 2026 as an equal-armed cross with three points at the end of each arm (twelve in all), set in a circle. The production batch describes this as the standard modern Coptic form; that has not been checked against a source here, and the drawing awaits specialist review.

Form

Several forms, not one. Early Coptic Christians used the looped cross (crux ansata) adapted from the Egyptian ankh. Illuminated and jewelled crosses appear in early manuscripts and wall paintings. Priests today carry hand-held blessing crosses.

When it is documented

A 5th-century Coptic liturgical relief shows the crux ansata. The Codex Glazier has an illuminated cross (late 4th–5th century). There is a jewelled cross in a late 6th-century wall painting at Kellia.

Context

The equal-armed cross in a circle with four nails, often called “the Coptic cross”, was named so by Rudolf Koch in The Book of Signs (20th century) and may not be prominent in Coptic symbolism in that form.

Links in the Atlas

  • Historically associated with Coptic Orthodox Church (Tradition)

    Historically associated forms; not an official emblem.

Sources and how they were checked

  • 5th-century relief with crux ansata; Codex Glazier (late 4th–5th century); Kellia (late 6th century); Koch’s naming and its doubtful prominence.

    Wikipedia, “Coptic cross” · checked 2026-10-21 (tertiary reference)

  • Twelve-point cross (three points per arm) within a circle as the model for the revised Atlas drawing.

    Production batch 2 manifest, symbol-cross-coptic-red · batch-2

  • Codex Glazier (Morgan Library MS G.67) and Kellia wall paintings as models for the earlier Atlas drawing (replaced).

    Production batch 1 manifest, sym-cross-coptic-red · batch-1

Not yet known or sourced

  • Which form the Coptic Orthodox Church itself uses most today has not been sourced.
  • Whether the twelve-point cross is usually shown inside a circle has not been sourced.
  • The revised drawing awaits specialist review.