What Is the Meaning of an Upside Down Cross?
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Through horror movies and dark heavy metal bands, the upside-down cross has a specific and evil connotation in modern Western culture. These media sources tried to teach us the evil and anti-Christian intent or even that the symbol itself had some sort of occult power. Fundamentalist teachers and pastors also supported these assertions, especially in the 1970s and 80s, with fear regarding Satanism and demonology.
As with many things in our culture, Christians should do our due diligence and look past the surface or the emotionalism surrounding a certain subject. We mustn’t operate or make decisions according to fear. Satanism and demons exist, for sure, but the Bible never gives us an excuse to respond with fear or anxiety. The Christian must rely upon the Scripture and the discernment of the Holy Spirit in all matters. Jesus gives the Spirit to lead us into all truth, and our foundation begins and ends there.
The history of the upside-down cross symbol proves more complex than titillating scary movies or screaming bands would have us believe.
What Does Christian Tradition Say about Peter and an Upside-Down Cross?
The idea of the upside-down cross began with the apostle Peter.
Peter, originally named Simon, was a fisherman from Galilee who became one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning “little rock,” and declared, “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.” (Matthew 16:18) Peter had moments of doubt and denied Jesus three times before the crucifixion, but he ended up becoming the primary leader of the apostles and the early church. He gave the first Spirit-led sermon on the Day of Pentecost and played a central role in spreading the Gospel, first among the Jews and then including the Gentiles.
According to early Christian tradition and writings, Peter was martyred in Rome during Emperor Nero’s reign, sometime around 64 AD. Nero developed a reputation for persecuting Christians during that time. The historian Eusebius cites earlier writers like Origin and states Peter was sentenced to death. Since he wasn’t a Roman citizen, the Empire decided to crucify him. Peter asked to be crucified upside down. He felt unworthy to die on the cross like Jesus did. They did as he requested.
The story of Peter and the upside-down cross reveals his transformation. The Gospels portray Peter as impulsive and fearful, especially before he received the Holy Spirit. After the Day of Pentecost, we see a different Peter, more mature and calmer. The same Peter who once denied Jesus from fear later rejoiced at suffering for the name of Christ (Acts 5:41). Even at the end of his life, he acted with humility and honor for the cross of Jesus.
Even though the account of Peter being crucified upside down isn’t in the Bible, it’s consistent with the arc of his life. The story of his life, from fisherman to martyrdom, reminds us of how we should be humble and remain faithful to the Gospel in all circumstances.
How Have Roman Catholics Used the Upside-Down Cross?
The upside-down cross became a symbol of Peter’s martyrdom and his role as the “rock” of the church. The Catholics count Peter as the first “pope,” so they particularly incorporated this symbol to honor his sacrifice and humility in Christian art and church buildings. The symbol has often been called the “Cross of St. Peter.”
Roman Catholics have used the “Cross of St. Peter” in several ways. In architecture, Catholics include it in church designs, especially in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The basilica, built over what Catholics claim to be Peter’s burial site, includes the upside-down cross to highlight his role as the “rock” of the Church. St. Peter’s Cross is also displayed next to other symbols of martyrdom in various churches.
In art and clothing, the Catholics associate the upside-down cross with the pope’s vestments and iconography since they view the pope as a spiritual successor to Peter. Catholics include St. Peter’s cross in teachings and catechesis. The symbol serves as a way to remind and tell people the story of Peter’s death for the Gospel, an example for others to follow.
While some modern groups have changed the meaning of the upside-down cross, Roman Catholics continue to focus on its Christian tradition and context. For centuries of worship, St. Peter’s Cross has stood for devotion, love for Christ, and the legacy of the apostle Peter.
How is the Upside-Down Cross Used in Anti-Christian Ways?
The upside-down cross has been adopted by those in the occult and other anti-Christian contexts.
Those who wish to rebel against Christianity use the symbol to provoke a response or reaction. Individuals and religious groups invoke the upside-down cross to communicate their resistance or rejection of Christian organizations, teachings, and values. They generally try to shock or offend with it since most Christians feel the usual cross has sacred, important connotations. In anti-religious art and media, the upside-down cross can be presented to mock Christians or their beliefs.
The occult has featured the upside-down cross, especially in satanic rituals and black magic or witchcraft. Satanists and occultists sometimes include it during rituals or services to express loyalty to Satan or earthly spiritual powers counter to Christ and God. Not all Satanists use the symbol, as some today claim more atheism and self-reliance than worship of evil spirits or Satan. However, others occasionally use the upside-down cross to deny Christ’s authority over their lives. They embrace individualism and pleasure. Whether on purpose or not, this directly contrasts the humility and self-sacrifice of the apostle Peter and his story in Christian tradition.
Popular culture has also featured the upside-down cross for shock value within the media, highlighting dark, evil, and supernatural elements. Over time and with the rise of Evangelicalism, people have become ignorant of the Catholic tradition regarding St. Peter’s cross. As a result, most people likely believe the upside-cross to be more satanic than Christian.
How Should Christians Today View the Upside-Down Cross?
We should approach the symbol with discernment. To some degree, how we respond depends upon the context and the intentions of those who use it. Ultimately, no matter how people mean it, we are free in Christ to use the encounter to point to the Gospel and the true love of the cross.
First, we have no reason to fear the symbol. The New Testament teaches how symbols, like food offered to idols, hold no power over us. In 1 Corinthians 8:4-6, Paul reminds us that “an idol is nothing in the world” and “there is no God but one.” He continues to say food itself isn’t good or evil and can’t defile us. Instead, our conscience matters. Someone can follow supposedly good religious tradition and not have a right relationship with God.
At the same time, Paul warns against causing others to stumble. We should be mindful of how our actions affect those according to what they believe. This reinforces the broader biblical message: power belongs to God alone, not a symbol or ritual. With faith in Christ, we live in freedom and guided by love for others.
Therefore, the upside-down cross, like any symbol, has meaning only in context and what we ascribe to it. For some, the upside down cross might represent St. Peter’s martyrdom. Others might use the same symbol in anti-Christian ways. Still others could think it a cool decoration without any connotation. We should be slow to judge just because someone uses a symbol without first understanding their intent.
Instead of reacting with judgment, we can approach with curiosity, asking questions. Questions like “What does this symbol mean to you?” or “Why did you choose to use this symbol?” provide opportunity for understanding and discussion instead of argument and conflict. Loving and interesting questions lead to clarity of perspective and demonstrate respect and care. In many cases, a person may not even know about the symbol’s actual Christian meaning.
Regardless of the other’s intent and their answer, Christ has made us free indeed. These conversations become ways to share the Gospel. For example, if someone uses the upside-down cross to express rebellion to Christ or Christianity, we can explain how it originally pointed to the account of Peter’s devotion to Jesus. From there we have the chance to share God’s love through Jesus on the cross to die for those who might believe, to redeem and restore. Through these types of conversations, we move beyond the dead symbol to the life-giving, deeper truths of faith and hope.
We should always approach the upside-down cross with grace and a focus on the Gospel. Avoiding snap judgments, which only divide people and shut down dialogue, we can lovingly transform what might be a challenging situation into a Gospel opportunity.
Peace.
Public Domain/ Don Marcello Massarenti
