The Maronite Cross: Meaning and Symbols

The three-barred cross, what it is said to mean, and how to choose a Maronite cross necklace

The Maronite cross is most often a cross with three bars at the top of the vertical beam, each longer than the one above. It is the cross seen on Maronite church banners and in images of the Maronite Church, and it is the form most people have in mind when they search for a Maronite cross.

This page explains how that cross looks, what its bars are said to mean, how it relates to the Patriarch, and what to keep in mind if you are buying a Maronite cross necklace for yourself or as a gift. Where sources disagree, we say so.

What the Maronite Cross Looks Like

The Maronite cross has three horizontal bars, all placed at the top of the upright beam and arranged in increasing length. Aleteia, in a guide to Eastern Christian symbols, describes it this way and notes that it was widely seen during the Pope's visit to Lebanon.

In the land of the cedars, the ends of the bars are often drawn with a small bud. Aleteia reads the buds as a sign that the cross is the Tree of Life, with salvation flowing from it to us. Not every Maronite cross has them, and designs vary from simple lines to ornate metalwork.

What the Three Bars Mean

The most common reading is that the three bars represent the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Maronite Eparchy of Australia uses the same reading in its own coat of arms, where the Maronite Patriarchal Cross carried by Saint Maron “expresses the unity of our faith in the Trinity.”

A second reading, given by Aleteia, is that the bars allude to the Maronite Church's union with Rome, standing for the patriarchs, bishops and the Pope. Treat this as one interpretation rather than an official teaching. We found no single authoritative source for the origin of the three-barred design, so any claim of a precise date or inventor should be handled with care.

The Cross and the Maronite Patriarch

The three-barred cross is described in flag references as the emblem of the Maronite Patriarchal Synod, the assembly of the Maronite Patriarch, bishops and other senior clergy. That is why it is often linked to the Patriarch at Bkerke. For his role and title, see the Maronite Patriarch.

A distinction is worth knowing. In heraldry, the patriarchal cross usually has two bars, with the upper one shorter, and historians of heraldry note that its historical link to patriarchs is uncertain. The Maronite cross has three. Because some Maronite sources call the three-barred form the “Maronite Patriarchal Cross”, the two names get mixed up. If a seller or a website uses either term, look at the picture rather than the label.

Other Maronite Symbols

The cedar of Lebanon

The cedar is the best known symbol of Lebanon, and Maronites also use it as a Marian title: the prayer “O Cedar of Lebanon, pray for us” addresses the Virgin Mary. The Eparchy of Australia's arms reads the cedar as three things at once: Mary, Lebanon, and the Lebanese Maronite Order. The tree's Christian and biblical meaning is covered in the meaning of the cedar of Lebanon and the Cedars of God.

Icons of Saint Maron and Saint Charbel

Maronite homes and churches often display icons or images of the saints. Saint Maron, the fourth-century hermit who gave the Church its name, is a natural focus, and Saint Charbel is the most widely venerated Maronite saint. Many people carry his image on a medal, described in our guide to the Saint Charbel medal.

Eparchy coats of arms

Individual eparchies design their own arms from these same elements. The Australian eparchy combines a mitre, Saint Maron, a dove, a cedar and the stars of the Southern Cross. We have not verified a published description of the Patriarchate's own coat of arms, so we do not describe it here.

The Cross in Maronite Worship

The cross is central to Maronite spirituality, where suffering offered with Christ is understood as sharing in his redemptive work. The Maronite liturgical year includes a season of the Cross, and Eid el-Salib on 14 September celebrates its exaltation. The wider setting is in the Maronite tradition and Maronite Christian beliefs.

Maronites make the sign of the cross as other Catholics do, at the start of prayer and in the liturgy. Sources we found disagree on the direction of the gesture in the Maronite tradition, so if you want to do it as your parish does, watch your priest or ask.

Choosing a Maronite Cross Necklace or Pendant

If you want a Maronite cross pendant, a few practical points help. None of this is Church regulation; it is simply what tends to matter.

Check the design. Decide whether you want the three-barred cross, a plain cross or a crucifix, and look at the actual image, since the name alone is unreliable.
Ask what it is made of. Metal type matters for skin sensitivity, durability and weight. Ask about the chain length and the clasp.
Think about the wearer. A gift for a Maronite grandparent may suit a traditional style; a younger person may prefer a small, simple pendant.
Have it blessed. Catholics commonly ask a priest to bless a cross before it is worn or given. A parish priest can do this in a few minutes, often after Mass.
Pair it with prayer. A cross is a reminder, not a charm. The gift means most when it comes with a prayer for the person who will wear it.

If you live in Australia, your nearest parish is a good place to ask for a blessing; see Maronite churches in Australia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Maronite cross?

The Maronite cross is usually described as a cross with three bars set at the top of the vertical beam, increasing in length from top to bottom. It is the form most often meant when people say "Maronite cross", and it is used as an emblem of the Maronite Church and its patriarchal synod. Maronites also pray before ordinary crosses and crucifixes.

What does the Maronite cross mean?

The most common explanation is that the three bars stand for the Holy Trinity. Some sources add that they allude to the Maronite Church's communion with Rome, with the bars representing the patriarchs, bishops and the Pope. These are explanations offered by writers and parishes rather than an official definition.

Is the Maronite cross the same as the patriarchal cross?

Not exactly. In heraldry, a patriarchal cross usually has two bars. The Maronite cross has three. The names are used loosely, and some Maronite sources call the three-barred form the Maronite Patriarchal Cross.

Can I wear a Maronite cross necklace if I am not Maronite?

Yes. A Maronite cross is a Christian sign of faith and anyone may wear one respectfully. Many Catholics wear one to honour Maronite friends or family, or out of devotion to Saint Charbel.

Should a cross pendant be blessed?

Catholics commonly ask a priest to bless a cross, medal or rosary before it is worn. A blessing is a short rite, and most parish priests, including Maronite priests, will gladly do it on request.