Chi Rho
The Chi Rho (☧, English pronunciation /ˈkaɪ ˈroʊ/; also known as chrismon[1]) is one of the earliest forms of the Christogram, formed by superimposing the first two (capital) letters—chi and rho (ΧΡ)—of the Greek ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ (rom: Christos) in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the center of the chi.[2]
Not to be confused with Chi-Ro, Chiro, or Cairo.
The Chi-Rho symbol was used by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (r. 306–337 AD) as part of a military standard (vexillum). Constantine's standard was known as the Labarum. Early symbols similar to the Chi Rho were the Staurogram (_I_193_2.jpg){kind=small}
) and the IX monogram (_I_193_4.jpg){kind=small}
).
In pre-Christian times, the Chi-Rho symbol was also used to mark a particularly valuable or relevant passage in the margin of a page, abbreviating chrēston (good).[3] Some coins of Ptolemy III Euergetes (r. 246–222 BC) were marked with a Chi-Rho.[4]
Although formed of Greek characters, the device (or its separate parts) is frequently found serving as an abbreviation in Latin text, with endings added appropriate to a Latin noun, thus XPo, signifying Christo, "to Christ", the dative form of Christus,[5] or χρ̅icola, signifying Christicola, "Christian", in the Latin lyrics of Sumer is icumen in.
The Chi Rho symbol has two Unicode codepoints:
Monogramme of Christ (the Chi Rho) on a plaque of a sarcophagus, 4th-century AD, marble, Musei Vaticani, on display in a temporary exhibition at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy
The Chi-Rho with a wreath symbolizing the victory of the Resurrection, above Roman soldiers, c. 350.
Roman Chi Rho applique in bronze from a Germanic settlement in Neerharen (Belgium), 375-450 AD, Gallo-Roman Museum (Tongeren)
Silver ring with Chi Rho symbol found at a Christian burial site in Late Roman Tongeren (Belgium), 4th century AD, Gallo-Roman Museum (Tongeren)
Christian pendant of Maria (398–407), wife of the Emperor Honorius (r. 395–423), with text in the shape of a Chi-Rho, Louvre.
Folio 34r of the Book of Kells is the Chi Rho page, expanding the first two letters of the word Christ.
Chi-Rho symbol can be seen on the coat of arms of Niš, city in Serbia and the birthplace of Constantine the Great
