Serbian cross

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The Serbian Cross (српски крст/srpski krst) is a Greek cross which has C-shapes on each of its four corners. It is the national, religious and ethnic symbol of Serbs and Serbia. Historically, the design on the inescutcheon has been used by Serbian states and the Serbian church since the Middle Ages.

The common interpretation is that they are four Cyrillic letters С (which looks like Latin letter C but reads like Latin letter S; this can create confusion and sometimes it is said that the cross is surrounded with four letters C or four letters S). A popular extension of this interpretation is that the four letters represent the slogan "Само Слога Србина Спасава" (Samo Sloga Srbina Spasava) which in English translates to "Only Unity Saves the Serbs" or "Sveti Sava - Srpska Slava" ("Saint Sava - Serbian Patron").

However all mottoes were created 'post factum' from the cross in 18th century, not the other way round. The firesteels were originally used in the Byzantine imperial coat of arms (Paleologos dynasty of the Byzantine Empire) as stylized Greek letters β (Beta) and stood for the imperial motto Basileus Basileon Basileuon Basileusin ("King of kings, ruling over kings") in Greek ("King" referred to Jesus Christ).

The Serbian Cross is commonly seen on the Serbian tricolor (red, blue, white) and on other Serbian flags. See also under Coat of arms of Serbia.

[edit] See also

• Sajkaca (Serbian hat)
• Opanak (Serbian traditional shoes)
• Only Unity Saves the Serbs (Serbian slogan)
• Coat of arms of Serbia, slightly different version of the Serbian coat