Just thinking aloud again You said Personally I find the whole symbol ridiculous Especially the really explicit ones with Jesus still on it and the painted on leaking blood from the Longinus wound and hands and feet Why you would want something like that in your house or around your neck is beyond me here which made me think of the dying God motif Life death rebirth deity and the extensive emotional relationship fundamental Christianity has with the blood and gore of the death of the Christ including regularly eating God and drinking God s blood Eucharist The Old Rugged Cross was sung very frequently in the churches my parents took me to On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross The emblem of suffering and shame And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain Refrain is So I ll cherish the old rugged cross Till my trophies at last I lay down I will cling to the old rugged cross And exchange it some day for a crown O that old rugged cross so despised by the world Has a wondrous attraction for me For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above To bear it to dark Calvary Refrain In that old rugged cross stained with blood so divine A wondrous beauty I see For twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died To pardon and sanctify me Refrain To the old rugged cross I will ever be true Its shame and reproach gladly bear Then He ll call me some day to my home far away Where His glory forever I ll share Refrain