My cross (design) to bear
November 5, 2013 11:05 AM   Subscribe

I'm using this cross symbol in a brochure design. Cross designs are laden with meaning and symbolism, and I want to make sure this is not something with adverse associations. Anyone have any thoughts?
posted by ecorrocio to Religion & Philosophy (21 answers total)
 
No adverse associations for me (in Maine).
posted by unreasonable at 11:22 AM on November 5, 2013


It reminds me a bit of one of these sorts of toys, but whether that's negative depends on what the brochure is about, I guess.
posted by XMLicious at 11:36 AM on November 5, 2013


Just looks like a gear to me: no religious/secret society/etc. connotations I can think of.
posted by easily confused at 11:37 AM on November 5, 2013


I'm a non-Christian and I find that totally benign and basically meaningless. Use it.
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:39 AM on November 5, 2013


The basic form looks like a Celtic Cross which is laden with symbolism.
posted by three blind mice at 11:42 AM on November 5, 2013


As a Catholic who has seen a lot of crosses, that looks like a pretty generic non-symbolic figure to me.
posted by CrazyLemonade at 11:47 AM on November 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


Looks fine to me. If I was to really sit down and try very hard to be offended by it I suppose I might claim it resembles an iron cross, which has some unfortunate associations. You would have to be an unreasonable person to think that, though, and you'll never please the unreasonable.
posted by echo target at 12:00 PM on November 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


Crosses with equal length arms are also known as Greek Crosses, and predate Christianity. In addition to the four seasons / four winds mentioned in the wikipedia stub, I've heard that they can mean the perfection of creation.

That's a stretch, though, your logo is pretty stylized.
posted by momus_window at 12:03 PM on November 5, 2013


It looks like an iron cross at first glance to me. I am not particularly unreasonable.
posted by Jairus at 12:14 PM on November 5, 2013


closest thing it reminds me of is an iron cross.

beyond that, with plenty of christian influence: it's not offensive or idealistically charged in anyway i can think of.
posted by chasles at 12:34 PM on November 5, 2013


oh damnit.

It looks like an iron cross at first glance to me
posted by chasles at 12:35 PM on November 5, 2013


It looks more like a stylized plus sign than an iron cross, especially with the outside curvature.
posted by haplesschild at 12:48 PM on November 5, 2013


Because of the phrasing of the question of "does this have adverse associations?" I see a vague passing resemblance to an Iron Cross.

Upon a direct side-by-side comparison, however, the circle in the center all but negates this correlation.

If I saw this in a brochure or logo for XYZ Startup Co. I'd probably not think twice about it.
posted by Debaser626 at 1:14 PM on November 5, 2013


To me that looks like a pipe fitting.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 1:32 PM on November 5, 2013


iron cross came to mind immediately, too... sorry!
posted by Riton at 1:57 PM on November 5, 2013


It doesn't look enough like an iron cross to bother me. I think the circle in the center, and the serifs at the ends of the bars make it look more like a gear or a machine piece.
posted by aimedwander at 2:34 PM on November 5, 2013


The arms of an iron cross are skinny in the middle and fat on the outside. This is the opposite.

Plus, it's orange.
posted by Sys Rq at 3:35 PM on November 5, 2013


Doesn't look like an iron cross to me. Reminded me of a fire department crest at first glance but after image searching, I'm wrong.
posted by bonobothegreat at 6:48 PM on November 5, 2013


I'm vaguely reminded of the Occitan cross, which is red and gold and equal-armed. But that's not likely to offend anyone (and it's really not an Occitan cross anyway).
posted by mumkin at 11:15 PM on November 5, 2013


It looks like I can produce water by applying torque to this item.
posted by oceanjesse at 11:40 PM on November 5, 2013 [5 favorites]


Can you provide the context in which this design will appear?
While in itself it appears mildly medieval, as a designer, I can only judge this when I have a clue what's it for.
posted by ahtlast93 at 10:22 AM on November 6, 2013


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