Editing Christogram (section)

=== Chi (Χ) ===
{{further|Chi (letter)}}
In antiquity, the [[Christian cross|cross]], i.e. the [[instrument of Christ's crucifixion]] ({{lang|la|[[crux simplex|crux]]}}, {{transliteration|grc|[[stauros]]}}), was taken to be [[Tau cross|T-shaped]], while the [[Chi (letter)|X]]-shape ("[[chiasmus]]") had different connotations. There has been scholarly speculation on the development of the Christian cross, the letter Chi used to abbreviate the name of [[Christ]], and the various pre-Christian symbolism associated with the chiasmus interpreted in terms of "the mystery of the [[Pre-existence of Christ|pre-existent Christ]]".<ref name=Grigg477>{{cite journal |last=Grigg |first=Robert |title="Symphōnian Aeidō tēs Basileias": An Image of Imperial Harmony on the Base of the Column of Arcadius |journal= The Art Bulletin |volume=59 |issue=4 |date= 1977 |pages= 477; 469–482 |doi= 10.2307/3049702|jstor=3049702 }}</ref>

In [[Plato]]'s {{lang|la|[[Timaeus (dialogue)|Timaeus]]}}, it is explained that the two bands which form the "world soul" ({{lang|la|[[anima mundi]]}}) cross each other like the letter Chi, possibly referring to the [[ecliptic]] crossing the [[celestial equator]]:

{{blockquote|And thus the whole mixture out of which he cut these portions was all exhausted by him. This entire compound divided lengthways into two parts, which he joined to one another at the centre like the letter X, and bent them into a circular form, connecting them with themselves and each other at the point opposite to their original meeting-point; and, comprehending them in a uniform revolution upon the same axis, he made the one the outer and the other the inner circle.|source=Plato, {{lang|la|Timaeus}}, 8.36b and 8.36c<ref>[http://www.fullbooks.com/Timaeus3.html 8.36b and 8.36c]</ref>}}

{{blockquote|The two [[great circle]]s of the heavens, the equator and the ecliptic, which, by intersecting each other form a sort of recumbent chi and about which the whole dome of the starry heavens swings in a wondrous rhythm, became for the Christian eye a heavenly cross.|source={{harvnb|Rahner|1971|pp=49–50}}. See also  {{harvnb|Grigg|1977|p=477}}}}

[[Justin Martyr]] in the 2nd century makes explicit reference to Plato's image in {{lang|la|Timaeus}} in terms of a prefiguration of the Holy Cross.<ref>Justin. ''Apologia'', 1.60.</ref> An early statement may be the phrase in ''[[Didache]]'', "sign of extension in heaven" ({{transliteration|grc|sēmeion epektaseōs en ouranōi}}).<ref name=Grigg477 />

An alternative explanation of the intersecting celestial symbol has been advanced by George Latura, claiming that Plato's "visible god" in {{lang|la|Timaeus}} is the intersection of the Milky Way and the Zodiacal Light, a rare apparition important to pagan beliefs. He said that Christian bishops reframed this as a Christian symbol.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Latura|first=George|title=Plato's Visible God: The Cosmic Soul Reflected in the Heavens|journal=Religions|volume=3|issue=3|year=2012|pages=880–886|doi=10.3390/rel3030880|doi-access=free}}</ref>

The most commonly encountered Christogram in English-speaking countries in modern times is the Χ (or more accurately, Chi), representing the first letter of the word ''Christ'', in such abbreviations as ''[[Xmas]]'' (for "Christmas") and ''[[Xian (abbreviation)|Xian]]'' or ''Xtian'' (for "Christian").