Red Cross of Constantine

The Red Cross of Constantine is one of the earliest Christian symbols of Knighthood and was introduced by the Roman emperor Constantine I in the year 312. It originates from the labarum[1] which was a vexillum (military standard) that displayed the " Chi-Rho" symbol, formed from the first two Greek letters of the word " Christ" - Chi (χ) and Rho (ρ). Since the vexillum consisted of a flag suspended from the crossbar of a cross, it was ideally suited to symbolise crucifixion.

“When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him”

Isaiah 59: 19

By tradition the Labarum was ordered to be carried before the legions of Constantine after he had a vision in the heavens of a " cross of light" and the Greek words EN TOUTO NIKA (conquer by this) and a subsequent nocturnal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ who told him to conquer under His sign. Constantine directed that a spear be covered in gold with a crosspiece representing a cross, and that the image of the chi-rho, the first two Greek initials in the name Christ, be placed above the crosspiece encircled by a crown/wreath. A banner hung from the crosspiece of imperial (Tyrian) purple and gold cloth. Constantine had this Labarum carried before his legions as he defeated a much larger pagan Roman force outside of Rome. He directed some of his men to place the chi-rho on their shields and he wore it on his helmet. Constantine selected 50 men, called the Praepositi Laberorum, to form a colour guard to protect the Labarum. Constantine later recognised these men and organised them into the Golden Chivalry - Torquati (so named for their gold collars) and Perfectissimi (Most Perfect Knights).

IHSV – In Hoc Signo Vinces

In hoc signo vinces is the rendition in Latin of the Greek phrase " ἐ ν τ ο ύ τ ῳ ν ί κ α ", en toutō i nika, meaning " with this as your standard you shall have victory".

According to legend, Constantine I adopted this phrase, as a motto after his vision of a chi rho on the sky just before the Battle of Milvian Bridge against Maxentius in the year 312. In later periods the christogram " IHS" both stood for the first three letters of " Jesus" in Latinised Greek (Latinised IHSOVS) and " in hoc signo" from the legend.

The initials " IHSV" is thus taken from the Latin phrase " IN HOC SIGNO VINCES" (Under this Sign Conquer).

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labarum

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_hoc_signo_vinces

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_I