Orthodox Three Bar Cross Pendant 925 Sterling Silver Gold Tone 1-1/2 Inch The Orthodox cross has three bars to symbolize different aspects of Jesus' crucifixion - the top bar represents the sign placed above his head stating Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, the middle bar is where his hands were nailed, and the slanted bottom bar represents the footrest he stood on, with the slant often signifying the different fates of the thieves crucified alongside him; one ascending to heaven and the other descending to hell.