long after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, the Huguenot
Cross came into general use amongst Huguenots as confirmation
of the wearer's faith.
Huguenot Cross is a symbol of religious loyalty
- a religion so strong that it did not even
fear the stake. Descendants of the Huguenots are not
allowed to forget their origins nor to consider their
religion as being something superficial.
The Huguenot Cross is not only beautiful and symbolic,
but possesses the added charm afforded by the romance
of history and tradition. It recalls a period of valor,
constancy, faithfulness and loyalty to truth. It is becoming
more and more a sign among the descendants of the Huguenots
throughout the entire world.
It is impossible to state precisely the period in which
our Huguenot ancestors adopted the usage of what they
called the Sainted Spirit. It certainly existed before
the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, 1685. It is worn
as an emblem of their faith.
The Cross consists of an open four-petal Lily of France,
and the petals thereby form a Maltese Cross. The four petals
signify the Four Gospels. Each arm or petal, at the periphery,
has two rounded points at the corners. These points are regarded
as signifying the Eight Beatitudes - Matthew 5: 3-10. The
four petals are joined together by four fleur-de-lis signifying
the Mother Country of France, each of which bears a rounded
point distally. The twelve rounded points described in the
four petals and the four fleur-de-lis signify the Twelve
Apostles. There is formed between each fleur-de-lis and the
arms of the two petals with which it is joined, an open space
taking the shape of a heart which suggests the seal of the
great French Reformer, John Calvin. Suspended from the lower
central petal by a ring of Gold is a pendant dove signifying
the Church under the Cross. In times of persecution, a teardrop
supplanted the dove.
There have been
many different stories arising about the origin of the Huguenot
Cross. Although the stories are numerous, each of them agree
that the Huguenot Cross was first worn in Cevennes. The Huguenot
Cross, although a symbol of religious faith and strength, was
fashioned after a very tragic incident.
While the Huguenots were being prosecuted they had no open gathering
place, therefore their meetings had to be kept from the public. Most
of the meetings were held in caves and the dense forests in Cevennes,
and a member led the gathering. For wedding and chistening ceremonies,
people planned them around the schedule of the preacher and when
he was able to be in the area.
A group of Huguenots had gathered for a double wedding ceremony somewhere
deep in the Cevennes. Four young couples, deeply in love and excited
at the thought of beginning their lives with their mates were saying
their vows before the Preacher when the French Dragoons burst in
on the festivities. Most of the people escaped capture but two of
the couples being married were not as lucky. They were detained by
the French Dragoons and taken by force to the next town where they
were ordered to make a choice. Denounce their belief in their religion
and become Roman Catholic, or be burned alive at the stake. Their
choice was simple and yet it was as complicated as life. They refused
to compromise their Huguenot beliefs.
At the market square in the middle of town, four large piles of wood
were arranged so that each of the four people that were to burn would
face the others, unable to look away from what was their future mate
as the flames consumed them in a firey death. As the prisoners were
being bound to the stakes they sang loudly, lifting their voices
and prayers to heaven. As the flames rose, so did their voices. The
psalm was their last offering to their Lord, and faded to silence
as the flames consumed them.
Among the crowd, a woman called out loud and true, "I see the
flames rise to heaven. They unite in a mighty dome of fire which
joins the four burning stakes. I see a cross of fire, and in the
centre it shoots its rays to the north, the south, the east and the
west - the Morning Star, the sign of our master, Jesus Christ. Praise
the Lord! He is with us to the end!"
Standing in the crowd, a metal worker from Nîmes heard the
woman as he watched the tragic death. Later, the man made a medallion
close to the size of a five cent piece. The center cloned the Maltese
Cross which is the symbol of the Crusaders. Each of the four arms
were connected with a smaller circle, which makes reference to the
flames that united the couples. The space between the arms became
small hearts as his work progressed as a reminder of the love that
was shared and the conviction that they held dear. Their beliefs
were not cast aside even at the consequence of death. Their wedding
day was cut short, as also were their lives.
The small medallion was then taken by Huguenots everywhere as their
Afterwards, the cross was made of silver and gold even though some
were still made of iron and lead. Added as a symbol of the Holy Ghost
was the dove of peace. When the revocation of the Edict of Nantes
was handed down, and in times of persecution, the Huguenots replaced
the dove with a tear drop shaped pearl, symbolising a tear.