The
Huguenot Cross is a symbol of religious loyalty
- a religion so strong that it did not even fear the stake. Descendants of the Huguenots are not
allowed to forget their origins nor to consider their
religion as being something superficial.
The Huguenot Cross is not only beautiful and symbolic,
but possesses the added charm afforded by the romance
of history and tradition. It recalls a period of valor,
constancy, faithfulness and loyalty to truth. It is becoming
more and more a sign among the descendants of the Huguenots
throughout the entire world.
It is impossible to state precisely the period in which
our Huguenot ancestors adopted the usage of what they
called the Sainted Spirit. It certainly existed before
the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 1685. It is worn
as an emblem of their faith.
The Cross consists of an open four-petal Lily of France,
and the petals thereby form a Maltese Cross. The four petals
signify the Four Gospels. Each arm or petal, at the periphery,
has two rounded points at the corners. These points are regarded
as signifying the Eight Beatitudes - Matthew 5: 3-10. The
four petals are joined together by four fleur-de-lis signifying
the Mother Country of France, each of which bears a rounded
point distally. The twelve rounded points described in the
four petals and the four fleur-de-lis signify the Twelve
Apostles. There is formed between each fleur-de-lis and the
arms of the two petals with which it is joined, an open space
taking the shape of a heart which suggests the seal of the
great French Reformer, John Calvin. Suspended from the lower
central petal by a ring of Gold is a pendant dove signifying
the Church under the Cross. In times of persecution, a teardrop
supplanted the dove.