Cross in a Circle Symbol

Native Indian Tribe

The Cross in a Circle Symbol

Native American Indians were a deeply spiritual people and they communicated their history, thoughts, ideas and dreams from generation to generation through Symbols and Signs such as the Cross in a Circle Symbol.

 

Solar Cross Symbol

The traditional meaning of the cross in the circle symbol was that the four equal lines pointed from the center to the spirits of the north, east, south, and west and a representation of the Sacred Four elements, the great primary forces of Fire, Air, Water and Earth.

Meaning of the Cross in a Circle Symbol to the Native Americans - the Solar Cross
The sacred, religious Solar Cross, or cross in the circle, is a symbol of the sun and fire and was adopted by many Native American tribes in various forms. The four elements is represented by Native American tribes, notably the Hopi, with the following "Solar Cross" or cross in a circle sign which means or signifies the world (also referred to as the Cosmic Cross). The four bars of the cross in the circle represent north, south, east and west.

 The individual elements of Air, Fire, Water and Earth are each represented by a cross in a circle.

AirFire
WaterEarth

The elements are the four great primary forces, or the Sacred Four, emanating from the Creator and these are depicted in the 'Solar Cross' or cross in a circle. The air symbol represents life. The fire symbol represents warmth and light. The water symbol represents the sustenance of life.  The four small circles on the Earth Solar Cross Symbol represent the four nations (the first four tribes of mankind) which came to the world to keep balance.

Meaning of the Cross in a Circle Symbol - the Hopi Techqua Wheel
The cross in the circle earth symbol is used as the icon of the Hopi Techqua Wheel. The Techqua Wheel symbol signifies the world to the Hopi and their representations correspond with the Earth Symbol. The Hopi Techqua Wheel symbol means "Together with all nations we protect both land and life and hold the world in balance."

Meaning of the Cross in a Circle Symbol to the Mound Builders - the Solar Cross
A cross enclosed by a circle was a very important symbol to their culture and examples of a cross enclosed by a circle have been found at every Mississippian site excavated. It is believed that the cross symbolizes the cardinal directions and the sacred fire, and the circle symbolizes the sun. The cross in the circle symbol is referred to as the Solar Cross. The first explorers of North America included Hernando de Soto and his expedition (1539-1543). The chronicler of the expedition was a Portuguese gentlemen and he was not identified other than as the Gentleman from Elvas. This chronicler noted that a ceremonial standard with the cross was an emblem of rank and importance to these ancient people.

"...a sort of fan of deerskin...the size of a shield, quartered with black and white, with a cross made in the middle
...set on a small and very long staff...."

The sacred religious Solar Cross, or circle cross, is a symbol of the sun and fire and was adopted by many Native American tribes in various forms. The Cross in a Circle Symbol, used by the Mound Builders, features in relation to the panther symbol, a fearsome creature from the Underworld. The Panther symbol is depicted as a 'water monster' with the body parts of other animals. The tail is colored to reflect snake or serpent like similarities and the feet have the claws of a bird of prey.  The symbol shows four panthers revolving around a central cross in a circle symbol or motif - the Solar Cross. The Cross in the Circle Motif (Solar Cross) had solar connotations with the circle (the Upperworld) and the Cross in a Circle Symbol is believed to symbolize the sacred fire that exists in the Middle World (Earth).

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Updated 2018-01-01

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