What is Latin cross plan in architecture?

A Latin cross plan is a floor plan found in many Christian churches and cathedrals. When looked at from above or in plan view it takes the shape of a Latin cross (crux immissa). Such cruciform churches were very common in the West during the Romanesque period.

What is a Latin cross called?

NPS. Otherwise known as a crucifix, the Latin cross is said to represent Christ’s crucifixion.

What is the difference between a Latin cross plan and a central plan church?

Latin Cross and Central Plan The Latin cross design essentially adds two lateral extensions (called “transepts”) to the original basilica layout, while the central plan design essentially compresses the basilica into a square (or other shape with rotational symmetry, e.g. octagon, circle, Greek cross).

What architectural addition gave churches a cross shape?

transepts
Occasionally, the basilicas and the church and cathedral planning that descended from them were built without transepts; sometimes the transepts were reduced to matched chapels. More often, the transepts extended well beyond the sides of the rest of the building, forming the shape of a cross.

What is the difference between a Latin cross plan and a Greek cross plan?

The term Greek cross designates a cross with arms of equal length, as in a plus sign, while the Latin cross designates a cross with an elongated descending arm.

Who uses the Latin cross?

However, until as late as the 19th century, many Protestant churches vehemently rejected the Latin cross as “Satanic” before eventually accepting it. Today, all Christian denominations accept the Latin cross as the official symbol of Christianity.

What is the difference between a Latin cross and a Greek cross?

What does IC XC mean on Orthodox cross?

Jesus Christ Conquers
This Eastern Orthodox necklace pendant is a medal-style and says IC XC NI KA or NIKA. IC XC is a Christogram abbreviation for Jesus Christ and NIKA is Conquers = Jesus Christ Conquers.

What is a church shaped like a cross called?

Cruciform architectural plan Christian churches are commonly described as having a cruciform architecture. In Early Christian, Byzantine and other Eastern Orthodox forms of church architecture this is likely to mean a tetraconch plan, a Greek cross, with arms of equal length or, later, a cross-in-square plan.

Why does the Orthodox cross have 3 bars?

One of them to the right of Christ ascended to Heaven, while the other one sank to Hell. Thus bottom bar of the cross is like the scale of justice and its points show the way to the Hell and Heaven. Another interesting fact is that the upper point of the slanted beam always show the way to the North.

Who proposed Latin cross plan?

This formalistic example represents one of the many varieties of ground plans, based on the Latin cross. The grave of the Carolus Linnaeus (1707 – 1778) is located on the cemetery of the cathedral.