Ethiopian cross

{{short description|Representative cross for Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox church}}

File:ET Axum asv2018-01 img03 Abba Pentalewon.jpgite crosses]]

File:Ethiopian, brass, blessing cross.jpg.]]

Ethiopian crosses, Abyssinian crosses, or Ethiopian-Eritrean crosses are a grouping of Christian cross variants that are symbols of Christianity in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and among Ethiopians and Eritreans. Their elaborate, stylized design is markedly distinct from other Christian cross variants.Stanlislaw Chojnacki with Caroline Gossage, Ethiopian Crosses, (London: Skira, 2006). {{ISBN|88-7624-831-5}} ([http://www.anglo-ethiopian.org/publications/articles.php?type=R&reference=publications/articles/2007summer/ethiopiancrosses.php book review])Mario di Salvo, Crosses of Ethiopia, 2006 Ethiopian crosses are almost always made from elaborate latticework, the intertwined lattice represents everlasting life.{{cite web|title=The Ethiopian Cross|url=http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/ethiopian.html|website=www.seiyaku.com|access-date=16 October 2016}} No two crosses are exactly identical in style, the artisans who make them being allowed the freedom to exercise a measure of individual taste and creativity in their choice of shape and pattern. Crosses may be of the processional type with a socket at the base so they may be mounted on a staff and carried in church ceremonies or hand-held blessing crosses used by priests in benedictions.{{cite web|title=The Ethiopian Cross|url=http://rseitz.com/talisman/the-ethiopian-cross/|website=R·Seitz: Talisman|access-date=16 October 2016}}