What exactly does this symbol mean?

[MH84]

I recently bought a set of rosary beads, and, instead of a crucifix, it has a cross. On the spine of the cross there is a symbol which is “P” shaped and has a cross or “X” in the middle of the “P.” What does this symbol mean?

Also, is it okay for a Catholic to use rosary beads without a crucifix?

The rosary beads seem to be designed to fit on the wrist (it is not the traditional 5 decade type). I have been wearing it sometimes on my wrist. Is this okay or disrespectful in some way?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

The symbol you describe is the *chi-rho *(pronounced “ki-row”; the *chi *rhymes with “eye” and the rho rhymes with “toe”), which is an interlocking design of the first two letters of the title *Christ *as it is rendered in Greek. The “X” stands for “ch” and the “P” stands for “r.” The design is a common symbol for Christ. As there is no rule that I know of requiring that rosaries have crucifixes, your chi-rho cross is fine.

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Should rosaries be worn as jewelry?