Chrism
The chrism (☧ Unicode U+2627) is a Christian symbol formed of the two Greek letters Χ (chi) and Ρ (rho), the first affixed over the second. They are the first two letters of the word Χριστός (Christ). Also sometimes one reads it like the Monogram of Christ, and one often finds it accompanied by the letters α (alpha) and ω (omega), symbolizing the beginning and the end of all. The chrism also exists in another form associating the Greek letters I (iota) and Χ (chi) of initial of Iesous Χριστός (Jesus Christ). The chrism then takes the aspect of a star with six rays often identified in art with the star which guided the magi. One still finds some in the East, more specifically in the oriental party of the old Roman empire
History
According to the legend, disputed because Constantin did not convert with certainty that on its bed of death, it is this sign which the standard ( labarum ) of Constantin I carried {{er}} when it went against his rival Maxence and beat it with the Bataille of the bridge Milvius. Thereafter, Constantin declared that it had had a dream where it had seen this sign accompanied by the message: “Under this sign you will overcome” ( In hoc signo vinces in Latin, In touto nika in Greek).
Actually, the association of these two letters to form a symbol preexists to Constantin and the time when it expressed his favor towards Christianity. In the pagan Greek world, it was the abbreviation of the word χρηστός (chrêstos), which means “useful, of good omen” and it indicated either a wish or a approving comment, same manner that one uses today the image of certain road panels to symbolize prohibition or the direction to be followed, even apart from the highway code. At all events, the symbol was adopted by Christianity and it was used as emblem to the Christian emperors who succeeded Constantin.
Art
The chrism is very often reproduced on paintings, the mosaic S and the sculptures of Christian inspiration. It is sometimes registered in a circle, or a square.
Complementary study: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=df3n8jzw_47p69zv
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