great sign

Christian ritual

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Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

The "great sign" refers to a specific Christian ritual known as the sign of the cross. This gesture is used by Christians to bless themselves, others, or objects. Its origins are traced back to the 3rd century, with St. Cyprian linking it to Christ's death on the cross.

In the Latin rite, the great sign is made with the five fingers outstretched, symbolizing the five wounds of Christ. This gesture is performed on the forehead, breast, and shoulders, moving from left to right. It is often used by a priest when blessing the congregation with the Trinitarian invocation: "In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."1

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sign of the cross
…in two ways: (1) the great sign, made with the five fingers outstretched (symbolic of the five wounds of Christ) on the forehead, breast, and shoulders, left to right, and (2) the lesser sign, made with the thumb alone on the forehead, lips, and breast. In the mass, the former…
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…in two ways: (1) the great sign, made with the five fingers outstretched (symbolic of the five wounds of Christ) on the forehead, breast, and shoulders, left to right, and (2) the lesser sign, made with the thumb alone on the forehead, lips, and breast. In the mass, the former…
Read More