What is the meaning of an upside-down / inverted cross?

Response

The inverted cross, also known as the upside-down cross, has a rich history and various interpretations in modern times. As the name suggests, an upside-down cross is essentially a Latin cross rotated so that the horizontal piece is closer to the bottom than the top. If someone were to hang on such a cross, they would be positioned head-down.

For many years, the inverted cross was recognized as a Christian symbol, stemming from an ancient belief that the apostle Peter was crucified in an inverted position. According to one account, Peter, facing crucifixion as a martyr, requested his cross to be flipped as he deemed himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ. Consequently, the upside-down cross, also known as the Cross of St. Peter or the Petrine cross, symbolized humility. This symbol is sometimes linked to the pope, as Catholics believe in his authority tracing back to Peter. Depictions of the Petrine cross may include an overlay of the “keys of heaven,” inspired by Matthew 16:19.

In recent times, the upside-down cross has been commonly used as a symbol of atheism, humanism, and the occult. Various black metal bands employ the inverted cross to emphasize their alleged allegiance to Satan. In horror films like The Omen and The Conjuring, upside-down crosses are portrayed as a sign of demonic presence. This symbol is found in tattoos, pendants, and as a logo on t-shirts. It is often accompanied by phrases like “Believe in Yourself,” “There Is No God,” “Black Mass,” or “Not Transformed.” In these contexts, the clear purpose of the inverted cross is to express opposition to Christianity. Inverting the cross is a way to reject the truth of Christ and ridicule His sacrifice.

So, what is the significance of an inverted cross? It varies depending on the context. When this symbol is utilized in a religious setting, it commonly alludes to Peter and the way he met his end. In other scenarios, the reversed cross is frequently seen as an anti-Christian emblem. In our corrupted world, sanctity is frequently derided, and that which is virtuous and untainted is perverted by the “god of this age” «in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. », (2 Corinthians 4:4). The cross, representing Christ, is inverted to symbolize the devil.