What does it mean?
(Puzzle 002)
This was one of several puzzling crosses for which we had been searching its symbolic meaning.
Following various leads, we have decided this is a Marian Cross.
This carving was found in New Mexico on what is presumed to be a burial marker stone. (See also Churchyard Cross, Burial Cross and Funeral Cross.) We now believe the figure is a Marian Cross, in favour of some alternative ideas that we have now dropped:
Original photo of the symbol. Click the photo to enlarge.
M
The M at the bottom right corner could be the initial of somebody's name. It's difficult to tell from the photo, but there might be more engraving at the bottom-left of the cross, perhaps an 'I' or an 'L', making the 'M' the second letter of somebody's initials.
Another idea is that it's an old Spanish acronym similar to the English 'R I P' (Rest In Peace). The Spanish for this is 'E P D' (En Paz Descante for a family member or friend, and En Paz Descanse for more formal burials), with no letter 'M'. But the Spanish for death is muerte so if anyone knows of an alternative, perhaps ancient, acronym ending with M in Spanish, please let us know.
Stars
The two stars could mean two bodies were buried in the grave, signifying their ascent to heaven like stars. Is there a Gnostic link? Or are they small Baptismal Crosses?
Split hoops
Finally, the split hoops at the head and arm ends. Do these split hoops represent the breaking of bonds? Is there a link to slavery here? Do they signify the risen Christ?
Do the split hoops represent horns? Horns are sometimes seen on top of a pagan cross, but not on the arms like this one.
Are they pagan crescent moons as used by the Ottomans and some Muslims? The crescent moon also appears on the Lunate Cross. Their shapes don't mimic the four phases of the moon, understood to have been used by northern European shamans (spirit mediums) for their magic or sorcery, but could there be a mystical connection with this cross?
As mentioned above, we believe this is a Marian Cross, and we have taken the unusual step of naming it the Alexander Roman Cross, for reasons detailed on the page.