UC and IC-XC Cross

also called the Conqueror's Cross

This cross teaches that Jesus Christ was victorious over death and through Him we can all conquer death

(Click photo to enlarge)

On this cross IC represents the Greek characters Iota (Ι) and Sigma (Σ) - the first and last letters of Jesus (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ). (UC is sometimes seen in place of, or in addition to, IC. See below.) The letters XC represent Chi (Χ) and Sigma (Σ) - the first and last letters of Christ (ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ).

IC XC are often accompanied with the letters NIKA, which is taken from the Greek form of In Hoc Signo Vinces, meaning 'to be victorious' or 'to conquer'. Constantine adopted this motto when he witnessed the sign (see Chi Rho cross). The ICXC Cross is therefore also known as the Conqueror's Cross.

The coin on the right (click image to enlarge) is a 12^th century gold tarì of Palermo or Messina seen in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England. Here, the IC XC NI KA surround a cross with splayed arm ends. See also Amalfi Cross.

The ICXC monogram can be found in various art forms such as mosaics, frescoes and vestments, sometimes surrounded by rays of light to emphasise its liturgical importance. In the Byzantine tradition, it’s often surrounded by the Greek phrase Οὐκ ἔχω ἄλλον Θεόν (I have no other God), emphasizing the centrality of Christ in the faith. This deep historical and artistic connection adds layers of meaning to the simple abbreviation, highlighting its role in both personal devotion and communal worship throughout centuries.

UC Cross

UC is sometimes seen in place of, or in addition to, IC.

The letters U and C are Slavonic (Cyrillic) for Tse and S (the Tse looks like a U but has a little squiggle down the right-hand side; sometimes difficult to discern). The UC (Tse and S) stands for Tsar Slavy (King of Glory) and is sometimes placed as a title of Christ: 'King of the Jews'. 

Russian Cross
(Click photo to enlarge) Source russian-icon.com

A lovely example can be seen on this 18^th century Russian cross (from russian-icon.com). At the top U can be seen on the left of the titulus, where 'Tsar' is shown just below the angel. The C is on the right, where 'Slavy' is shown below another angel.

The main crossbeam features IC and XC at the ends, along with writing which translates as 'Bow to Your Cross and Glorify Your Holy Resurrection'

At the foot of this cross we can see the skull of Adam and some of the Arms of Christ.

Abbreviations such as these are common among Eastern iconography and in the West, on Italian panels. They help focus the mind on a particular teaching and this cross teaches that Jesus Christ was victorious over death and through Him we can all conquer death. (See The Meaning of the Cross)

IC XC also appears on many church emblems, such as the Orthodox Church in Italy Chiesa Ortodossa in Italia (COI), Estonian Orthodox Church Eesti Apostlik-Oigeusu Kirik (EOK), Orthodox Church of Greece (Holy Synod in Resistance) (OCG), and Slovak Greek Catholic Church (SGCC).

(Click any image to enlarge)

COI

EOK

OCG

SGCC