The upside-down cross, for the religious, and more notably, Christians, has always been seen as a representation of demonic rituals and perverted acts. However, having learned about it myself a short while ago, its true origin could not be more humbling or wholesome.

The origin of the upside-down cross comes from Saint Peter, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. Though he was only a humble fisherman, he (allegedly!) rose to become the first Bishop of Rome. Allegedly, because, the Catholic Church talks about the pope, the bishop of Rome, as the successor of St. Peter. This alludes to the theory that St. Peter was the first Bishop of Rome. However, there is no actual confirmation regarding this statement, or if he ever was IN Rome.

Around 64-67AD, it is said that Peter was crucified under the rule of Emperor Nero. However, overcome with humility, he did not feel worthy to be crucified the same way Jesus Christ was. He, therefore, requested to be crucified upside-down, as a gesture towards his saviour.

It was apparently only in the 19th century that a cult leader, Eugène Vintras, a man who claimed to be the reincarnation of the Prophet Elijah, tainted the symbol with rituals and horrific acts, thus being condemned by the Pope, leading to his eventual trial and imprisonment.

Over time, the occult took up the Petrine cross as its symbol, to the point where media featured the Cross of Saint Peter heavily alongside the Antichrist and Satan.

Symbols change their meaning over time. Above, you’ve seen something change from being the epitome of humility and respect to something depraved enough to be Jack the Ripper’s diary entry. If such a symbol can go from 100 to 0 over the span of a few years, what stops us from elevating the meaning back from the depths of Hell to its original place, slightly below Christ?