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I have a necklace that is a cross charm with Jesus Christ on the cross but on both sides. What's the meaning of this symbol?

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    can you include a picture?
    – depperm
    Oct 23, 2022 at 12:52
  • I expressed some concern at this being "a charm" because some non-Christian religions also use the cross symbol but in a way that opposes the Christian view of the cross of Jesus Christ. Even some groups claiming to be Christian are so superstitious, they treat the cross symbol as if it could be a charm, to protect or help them. But the cross should point to the person of the risen Christ, in whom alone Christians trust.
    – Anne
    Oct 25, 2022 at 8:54
  • Welcome to Ch.se, Julee. For Anne - in jewelry making, the word charm refers to a small ornament on a necklace or bracelet
    – Dan Fefferman
    Oct 25, 2022 at 23:55
  • @Dan Fefferman No doubt that applies in the world of jewellery-making, but I was thinking in terms of spiritual understanding!
    – Anne
    Oct 26, 2022 at 12:22
  • In the world of jewelry - if it hangs on a necklace it's called a pendant. If on a bracelet they're called a charm.
    – scm - Personal Friend of Jesus
    Oct 26, 2022 at 14:25

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enter image description here

A double-sided crucifix has the same religious significance as a single-sided one. It is an artistic device that enables the image of Jesus to been seen from two sides. This is particularly useful in the case of a necklace, where the jewelry may rotate toward the skin, so that the face of crucifix would not be seen otherwise. This tradition is also used for altar pieces, as in the above photo, so that viewers will see the image of Jesus whether they look from the front or the rear of the crucifix.

For those who are worried about the word "charm," I'm sure the OP does not mean this in the sense of a magical device but as simply "a small ornament worn on a bracelet or chain".

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Your word description is insufficient to convey what this bit of jewellery looks like. You refer to it as "a charm" which is a bit alarming, as it indicates something of superstitious value. However, if you read in the Bible book of Mark, chapter 16 verses 27 and 28, you will note that two other crosses were on each side of Jesus' cross. The men on those crosses were called thieves, and one was on Jesus' right, and the other on his left. Jesus was in the middle.

Could this be what you are referring to? Without a photograph of the piece of jewellery, we really need a much more detailed verbal description, so if you could add more, that would be helpful.

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    "charm" may also have completely innocent meaning; although this case seems more atypical. I remember girls having "charm bracelets" which had small trinkets shaped like various symbols that were important to them. The trinkets were known as charms
    – eques
    Oct 25, 2022 at 23:16
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    I originally thought of "side" as you do (referring to the thieves) no doubt influenced by the Gospel description until Dan produces a picture that OP meant "backside".
    – GratefulDisciple
    Oct 26, 2022 at 11:57

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