Expert: Fr. Michael - 7/28/2007

Question
Hello, Fr. Jerome.

If you go go Google (or Yahoo) Images, and type in "Charlemagne", you will see numerous portraits of him, with sword--and something else--in hand.

He is invariably shown holding a round (no doubt, gold) ball with a cross on top.  I presume this is to symbolize Christ as King of the whole World--correct me if I'm wrong there--but what I am wondering is: What is that ornament called?

Also, I seem to recall seeing variations of it, where the ball itself seems to be of polished stone and where there are three (again, no doubt, gold straps), encompassing it at 90 degrees to each other--two from pole to pole and one at the equator.  Have you?

Regards,
Dan O'Hanlon

Answer
This is the globus cruciger, from the Latin, an orb (globus) bearing a cross (cruciger), a Christian symbol of authority used throughout the Middle Ages on coins, iconography, and royal regalia.  It is also known as the Sovereign's Orb and is currently used in the regalia of the monarch of England.  It symbolizes by the Cross God's dominion over the world (the orb), held under the protection and dominion of an earthly ruler.