Tau and Triple Tau Cross

Tau and Triple Tau Cross

Tau Cross

The Tau Cross, also referred to as the St. Anthony's Cross or the Crux Commissa, is a T-shaped cross that holds a significant historical and cultural importance across various religions and cultures. The cross derives its name from the Greek letter 'tau', which is shaped like a capital 'T'. The Tau Cross has been adopted by various religious sects, such as Christianity and ancient Egyptian mythology, throughout history. It has been associated with a diverse range of symbols and meanings.

In Christianity, the Tau Cross is closely associated with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God commands the Prophet Ezekiel to mark the foreheads of the righteous with the symbol of the tau (Ezekiel 9:4). This act was later interpreted by early Christians as a foreshadowing of the crucifixion. The tau shape is believed to symbolise the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Consequently, the fish has gained significant recognition as a prominent symbol in Christian iconography, particularly during the early Church era.

Moreover, the Tau Cross has been associated with various Christian saints, most notably St. Anthony of Egypt, St. Francis of Assisi, and St. Anthony of Padua. St. Anthony of Egypt, a prominent desert father and one of the earliest Christian monastics, is often portrayed holding a Tau Cross, which later became known as the St. Anthony's Cross. St. Francis of Assisi was said to have experienced a vision where an angel presented him with a Tau Cross, leading him to adopt the symbol as part of his monastic order's habit.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the Tau Cross symbolises the concept of eternal life. It is closely related to the ankh, another well-known symbol of Egyptian culture. The ankh, or 'key of life', is composed of a loop positioned above a T-shaped cross. The tau symbol is often regarded as a simplified version of this iconic symbol. The tau symbol holds significant importance in the belief system of ancient Egyptians, as evidenced by its presence in a variety of artefacts such as amulets and tomb paintings.

Despite its predominantly religious associations, the Tau Cross has also been adopted as a symbol by various secular organisations, including the medical profession. The symbol of the tau-rho, which combines the Greek letters tau and rho, has been used to represent the Hippocratic Oath, the ethical code for medical professionals. This connection may have its origins in the tau's association with the Greek god of medicine, Asclepius.

Triple Tau Cross

The Triple Tau Cross, often simply referred to as the Triple Tau, is a symbol that consists of three interlaced tau (T) characters, forming a composite figure resembling an equilateral triangle. The Triple Tau Cross has similarities to the Tau Cross, but it holds distinct meanings and associations in different contexts.

One of the most notable uses of the Triple Tau Cross is in the context of Freemasonry, where it serves as an emblem of significant importance, particularly within the Royal Arch degree of the York Rite. The Triple Tau is considered a symbol that represents the unwavering commitment of Royal Arch Masons to the principles and teachings of Freemasonry. The three interconnected tau characters within the symbol signify the union of the individual with the divine and the fraternity.

In Freemasonry, the Triple Tau Cross is linked to the phrase "templum hierosolyma" or "holiness of Jerusalem." It is occasionally used as an abbreviation for "Clavis ad Thesaurum" or "A Key to the Treasure" and "Theca ubi res pretiosa deponitur" or "A place where a precious thing is concealed." The significance of the Triple Tau in Freemasonry is emphasised, as it embodies the journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth undertaken by its members.

The Triple Tau has also been associated with different religious and spiritual traditions. The Triple Tau in Christian symbolism is often interpreted as a representation of the Holy Trinity – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The interpretation is supported by the triangular shape formed by the interlaced tau characters, which can be seen as an allusion to the concept of the divine triad.

Additionally, the Triple Tau symbol is linked to the fusion of the Greek letters "I" (iota) and "H" (eta), which happen to be the initial two letters of the name Jesus in Greek. In this interpretation, the Triple Tau functions as a Christogram or monogram representing Jesus Christ. The Triple Tau is also associated with the Hebrew letter "Shin" (ש), which is sometimes used to symbolise the name of God, especially in Kabbalistic mysticism.