Triumphant and Orb Cross

also called Globus Cruciger

The Triumphant Cross is a cross atop an orb. The cross represents Christ's sacrifice and the orb (often with an equatorial band) represents the world. It symbolises Christ's triumph over the world, and prominent in images of Christ as Salvator Mundi - the Saviour of the World.

(See also Earth Symbol and for the Triumphal Cross, see Rood Cross.)

Carthusian

The symbol is used by the Carthusian monks, with the motto Stat crux dum volvitur orbis ('The cross is steady while the world is turning.') The cross and orb have also been adopted by other denominations, as shown below.

When used as royal regalia, it takes the Latin name Globus Cruciger and is often encrusted with jewels (see also Jewelled Cross). The holder of the Globus Cruciger shows he or she takes responsibility as the titular head of the state religion and is defender of the faith. The orb (Pythonesque: 'Holy Hand Grenade') is also a great way to symbolise a monarch ominously holding an empire.

Before Christianity, Pagan rulers would hold a similar orb in their hands to symbolise their power over the world. When Christian rulers adopted this practice, they added the cross to show Christ's dominion over the world. In this way, it symbolises Christianity's triumph over Paganism. 

Queen Elizabeth II, at her Protestant coronation in 1953

Queen Elizabeth I, at her Catholic coronation in 1559

Source: CNG coins
Emperor Leontius holds a Globus Cruciger in his left hand. And is that a karaoke mike in his right hand?

antimony

Note: The Triumphant Cross should not be confused with an alchemy symbol sometimes used instead of the usual one to represent the lustrous metallic element antimony.

Related symbols

The globe forms part of numerous church emblems. These usually represent the church's mission to spread the Gospel worldwide. Such emblems include:

American Baptist Church USA

Anglican Church in North America

Baptist Union of Great Britain

Batak Christian Protestant Church

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Christian Protestant Church in Indonesia

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania

Free Methodist

Korean Methodist Church

National Baptist Convention of Mexico

National Missionary Baptist Convention of America

United Pentecostal Church International

You'll notice the globe used in the logos is often a bit squashed, even though our planet is more or less spherical.

The squashing is usually vertical rather than horizontal, since we tend to have more interest in what's east and west, rather than the extreme north and south. Consequently we say "worldwide" and not "worldlong", and yet for some reason we go a "long way" and not a "wide way".

Also, not "long imagination, rather..."

Wide imagination...

• Joe needs some lumber for building a house, and goes into the shop:

  Joe:	I need some wood.
  Salesman:	OK, how thick do you want it?
  Joe:	Three inches.
  Salesman:	Yes, and how wide do you want it?
  Joe:	Six inches.
  Salesman:	Right. Three by six. How long do you want it?
  Joe:	Oh, a really long time. It's for a house.

• (This next one mights lose its punch if you're from outside the UK.)
  "'Xcuse me, mate. Is there a B&Q in York?"
  "Nah lad. There's a 'Y', an 'o', an 'r' and a 'k'."
• Saw a documentary about how ships are held together.
  Rivetting!