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This very old symbol is found in ancient Egypt, where it is a symbol of the Ogdoad, the eight emanations of the manifested creation. Gnostics borrowed the symbol to represent the eight Aeons, and resurrection.

The eight spoked cross in Catholicism is called the baptismal cross, and represents both the age of baptism in the church (eight years), and the eight day interval between Christ's entry into Jerusalem and his resurrection. It is also the shape of the eight sided baptismal font.

Today, the eight armed cross is more commonly used as a symbol for Neo-Gnosticism.

Related Symbols:

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Elsewhere on the Web:

From Sun Disk to Crucifix
An illustrated history of the cross symbol.

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