In hic signo: Understanding the Cross "from Humiliation to Salvation" Using Hegemony and Semiotics

Communication uses both verbal and non-verbal cues. As communicators, we are all aware how non-verbal communication general meaning that will create many interpretations. In fact, according to Mehrabian (1987), all of our communications are only 7% verbal, and 93% non-verbal (wherein 55% of it is body language and 38% is the tone of our voice).

As we dwell with the presence of non-verbal communication, the world is being understood through it. We usually use signs and symbols to convey a message contextualized either by words, signs, and symbols. However, despite the contextualization of an interpretation which is confined in a usual generated image, even meanings can change from time to time -- from a single meaning, it develops either different interpretations or it can transcend into something that is collective idea that changes over time depending on cultural factors on how from individual (then to societal) affects its understanding and generation of meaning.

Let us take for example the concept of cross. Cross, in this today's context has been presented as of a religious or spiritual symbol -- which is common for Christians in general. When we see cross, it expresses one's faith to a Supreme Being associated to God, particularly to His Son, Jesus Christ, where He was crucified as a act on salvation to mankind.

But before Christ Jesus was born, or even during His time, the cross is a symbol of humiliation. But, when Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected, this form of humiliation transcended as a form of salvation. In fact, during one of the battles of Constantine, a miracle happen wherein he saw a cross in the sky with the statement "[i]n hic signo vinces" (in this sign, you shall conquer) -- and he placed crosses on their shield and won against their enemies -- which for him to be convinced to state Christian as the Roman empire's official religion.

(c) Google Images

The concept of cross can be explained in the Communication Theories of Hegemony and Semiotics. According to Gramsci (2009), hegemony is "characterized by the combination of force and consent” wherein it is an idea that the oppressed voluntarily accept being oppressed in which their values and beliefs are rhetorically molded by the dominant class through "control over common sense" (Brochers, 2006).

The method of crucifixion is indeed an humiliating act because it is a punishment for criminals. Yet, when Jesus Christ was crucified, His believers accepted this sign as a sign of salvation for them which is used until today. Paradigm shift of interpretation and meaning occur in this context. Since Christian believers are associated with persecution, they accepted the cross as their identity and through this cross, they received salvation from Jesus Christ. As one of the famous bible verse states, “[t]he stone the builders rejected has become the capstone" (Psalm 118:22)

(c) Google Images

Meanwhile, through semiotics, which refers to "that meaning is made by the deployment of acts and objects which function as "signs" in relation to other signs" (University of Twente). The concept of cross from a sign of humiliation became a sign of salvation to those who believed. In fact, it is also a sign of identity, that Christians are being identified as such when they were crucifix or when they associate themselves with the cross.

The concept of cross has developed paradigm shift throughout the ages. As today we have the modern understanding of it as a religious symbol (which can be associated with death and salvation), long time ago it became one of the hideous symbols in our society that can associate as one of the most brutal form of punishment that can degrade a human person. But, through collective ideas and with social relevance, a once condemned sign became the holiest form of symbol that we can think of today.

This blog post is a partial requirement in Advanced Communication Theory course under the tutelage of Atty. Elgene Feliciano at Holy Angel University (in partnership with Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication) under the program of Master of Arts in Communication.

#cross #hegemony #semiotics