Crucifix Question

[Mattjolley]

Why is it that so many church crucifixes portray Jesus giving a blessing with one or even sometimes both of his hands?

I’ve read that they often portray his head leaning to his right in acknowledgement of the ‘good thief’, so it would make sense I guess if his right hand was the only one gving the blessing action, but sometimes both seem to do. This image shows a crucifix where christ is shown using both hands to bless:

stjudehawaii.org/Crucifix.JPG

Is it just to portray Chris’ts love for the world in this monumental act of self-sacrifice? Or because of the good thief in some cases too? If not, what? haha.

Matt

 

[Marauder]

By definition what you describe is not a crucifix. A crucifix must display the crucified Christ.

What you are describing is a depiction of a cross with the risen Christ. This is to symbolize that Christ is no longer on the cross he has risen.

There are many conspiracy theories about why people are using this style of cross in Catholic churches now, but technically it is allowed in a church as long as you also have a traditional crucifix. The traditional crucifix either has to be in a prominent place or in the procession and placed on or near the altar during Mass.

 

[Mattjolley]

if you follow the link I gave, you’d see an example of an actual crucifix, not one of the risen christ. I know what I’m asking about

Matt

 

[Marauder]

if you follow the link I gave, you’d see an example of an actual crucifix, not one of the risen christ. I know what I’m asking about

Matt

I was answering based on the first question of your post. That question sounded like your were talking about the risen Christ “crucifixes”. Sorry if you weren’t. I wasn’t addressing the last portion of the post because to my knowledge the design of most “normal” crucifixes depend on what the original artist intended. But since I am not an expert on this I didn’t answer that section.

Some religous art including crucifixes show Jesus with 2 fingers pointing symbolizing his 2 natures. Some show Jesus with 3 fingers pointing symbolizing the trinity. I personally haven’t heard of anything about the direction his head was pointing, but that doesn’t mean anything

 

[MarieVeronica]

I think it’s just a matter of who has made or sculpted the particular Crucifix (Fontanini, Armani… etc.). I’ve seen them all different ways, too. It’s the artist or makers “impression”, I guess. Sort of like how you see different depictions of Our Lady and the Saints.

To the best of my knowledge, there is no set way… in which to depict the Crucified Lord. As long as it is done, with reverence.

You might remember the famous image, of Jesus on the Cross… and St. Francis below… at the foot. And Jesus is reaching down with one arm, embracing St. Francis. Beautiful imagery. That one always strikes my heart… because it depicts Our Lord’s Love for His followers. God bless.

 

[AngelRose81]

I was answering based on the first question of your post. That question sounded like your were talking about the risen Christ “crucifixes”. Sorry if you weren’t. I wasn’t addressing the last portion of the post because to my knowledge the design of most “normal” crucifixes depend on what the original artist intended. But since I am not an expert on this I didn’t answer that section.

Some religous art including crucifixes show Jesus with 2 fingers pointing symbolizing his 2 natures. Some show Jesus with 3 fingers pointing symbolizing the trinity. I personally haven’t heard of anything about the direction his head was pointing, but that doesn’t mean anything

I’ve not heard anything about the 2 fingers but the link you gave goes to just a normal crucifix IMHO. I don’t see where you see that Christ is giving a blessing in it.

If you are thinking of the risen Christ crucifixes like the PPs have mentioned. They can seem to be giving a blessing.

See here:
discountcatholicstore.com/images/crucif4.jpg

 

[BarbaraTherese]

There is probably what is in the artist’s mind as to meaning, but then also quite valid re artworks of any kind is what one may see personally in the artwork and what it means personally…

Our Mass Centre has a huge Resurrection Crucifix in muted and black silver behind the main altar, in that the cross is behind and slightly to the left of the Risen and Magestic Jesus (with wounds on his hands and feet). This speaks to me of Jesus in Glory who sits at the right hand of The Father, the actual crucifixion in His ‘past’, though still present in His wounds. His arms are extended in blessing. It really draws me. An actual crucifix in Gold is over The Blessed Eucharist in the tabernacle to the right of the altar. The Church is St. Ann’s and we have a really beautiful huge statue of St. Ann with the child Mary at her feet in our foyer…it is really beautiful and happy to see a nice old fashioned type religious statue. We also have the same type of large statues of Mary, St. Therese and The Sacred Heart inside The Church. Sadly, no St. Joseph. I am very happy that our first Australian saint will probably be Mary MacKillop who advocated and had great devotion to St. Joseph and named her Order after him and also The Sacred Heart. Sisters of St. Joseph of The Sacred Heart.
Our main Church has a very modern semi abstract huge crucifix behind the altar and it is an actual crucifix, but what on earth the meaning is, I cannot fathom, though I have asked what the artist intended but no one seems to know. Arching across the front of the crucifix in a huge arc are two silver bars…that is what puzzles me. The figure on the Cross is very beautifully done as it has an aura of ascension about it with the figure straining with power upwards, though the figure is one being crucified.