Tutorial 70 - The Cross
Added 2016-03-11 10:26:27 +0000 UTCHorizontal and vertical lines both have certain symbolic significance. The horizontal line suggests Earth, the ground, matter, life, the body. The vertical line represents Heaven, the path, spirit. When combined they form a cross, a symbol which represents union of body and spirit.
A Greek cross (plus sign) seems to me more suggestive of union than the Latin (Christian) cross. The Latin cross, with it's horizontal line placed higher up on the vertical line, suggests man's ascension towards Heaven. But that's just my personal interpretation.
I'm not religious but I do wonder about the power of symbols, icons and logos and if they have any significant effect on the subconscious. Perhaps there is a subconscious chord being struck when these symbols are observed in imagery. As an artist, we might be able to trigger certain responses in the viewer if we know how to apply these symbols in our art.
The cross is also an intersection of two lines, a target. It might also be used compositionally to suggest significance to a figure or object. For example, a figure standing upright with the horizon in the background.
