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No, the simple fact of the matter is that the Jerusalem Cross has very little meaning to any religion at all - it is merely of historical interest and a boon to the city's tourism industry. True, it represents Jerusalem - but not to that city's own residents.

To be certain, while (almost) all crosses can trace their roots back to the Crucifixion, they each have a specific meaning. The Cross of Saint Andrew, for example, represents Scotland; the Cross of Saint George represents England; and the Cross of Saint Patrick represents Ireland. Put the three of them together on one flag and they stand for the United Kingdom.

The Iron Cross, for many years, was the symbol of the German armed forces and, when worn as a medal, was that country's highest (and second highest) award for valor in combat. At the same time, the Navy Cross serves a similar function for American seamen while a cross similar in design to the Iron Cross is awarded to sharpshooters in the U.S. Army and Marines.

Eastern Orthodox religions have their own crosses, quite different from the traditional one, while a Crucifix is much more a part of the Catholic tradition than it is to that of Protestants.

What makes the Jerusalem Cross stand out from all of this is that it really does not represent anything to any particular group - except Christian tourists who come to the city.

The Jerusalem Cross is (like the symbol of the Red Cross) equal in height and width although somewhat more ornate in design. Inside each of the four quadrants made by the crossbars, there is a smaller, identical, cross. The legend behind it is that when the Crusaders arrived in Jerusalem they would draw a cross on its walls. Eventually, there were so many crosses there that there was no more room - and subsequent Crusaders had to put their crosses inside those already drawn.

If you visit the city you will have no problem in finding a Jerusalem Cross. It can be bought to worn on a necklace, it appears on key chains, on t-shirts, on cups, on plates - just about anything that you can imagine. In fact, you don't even have to go to the city itself. It is easily available in any part of Israel which attracts a lot of tourism. I live a few hours' drive north of Jerusalem and can find these crosses in Acre, Safed, Nazareth, or any of a number of sites around the Sea of Galilee. I have bought many of them but only to give as gifts to friends in America and Europe, all of whom treasure them.

Where you will not see this cross is being worn by any Jerusalem residents.

Most Jerusalemites, of course, are either Jewish or Moslem and they would not be expected to wear it. Even Christian residents prefer the more traditional crosses that you would find on men and women anywhere from Athens, Greece to Athens, Georgia.

Does all of this seem strange to you? Think of it this way: If you go to JFK Airport in New York, you will find souvenir Empire State Buildings in all different sizes, on t-shirts, and even made of chocolate. Tourists snap them up as mementos of their visit to the Big Apple - but you will never find one in any New Yorker's living room.

Learn more about this author, Josh Wilde.
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