What is the Scientology cross?

It is an eight-pointed cross representing the eight parts or dynamics of life through which each individual is striving to survive. These parts are: the urge toward existence as self, as an individual; the urge to survive through creativity, including the family unit and the rearing of children; the urge to survive through a group of individuals or as a group; the urge toward survival through all mankind and as all mankind; the urge to survive as life forms and with the help of life forms such as animals, birds, insects, fish and vegetation; the urge to survive of the physical universe, by the physical universe itself and with the help of the physical universe and each one of its component parts; the urge to survive as spiritual beings or the urge for life itself to survive; the urge toward existence as infinity.

The cross, a symbol which predates Christianity by thousands of years, and versions of which have been used by such diverse ancient peoples as the Phoenicians, Hindus, Navajos and Aztecs, has a special design and significance in the Scientology religion.

The Scientology religion divides the life force of the thetan into eight subdivisions called dynamics. Thus, in addition to the four arms of the cross, the Scientology cross also has four rays which emanate diagonally from the center. Together, the arms and rays symbolize the eight dynamics.

The most basic religious significance of the Scientology cross is that of the spirit and the difficulties of its progression through the material universe. The horizontal bar represents the material universe, and the vertical bar represents the spirit. Thus, the spirit is seen to be rising triumphantly, ultimately transcending the turmoil of the physical universe to achieve salvation.

The cross has other messages as well. The four arms point to the four main points of the compass and thus symbolize the idea that spiritual development extends in all directions and encompasses all of life. Both the horizontal and vertical arms end in the standard heraldic symbols for leaves and flowers, known as the “Cross Fleury” or “Flowery Cross”. This symbolizes the full flowering of the individual.