Anchor Cross (Crux Dissimulata)

The Anchor Cross An early covert Christian symbol. It was the emblem of st. clement, bishop of rome, who according to tradition was tied to an anchor and tossed into the sea by the emperor trajan. It has been the anchor cross and the firm faith which keeped christians steady in the storms of life. Based on hebrews 6:19 which reads, ‘we have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain.’
The traditional anchor cross appears in various forms. One variation manages to include three crosses to represent the three crosses on Calvary or the Holy Trinity.
The anchor is a life saver - it can prevent a ship from crashing on to rocks. For Christians, the analogy is that Christ can save spiritual lives. The nautical image of an anchor gives the idea of navigation (through life). Alternative names include St. Clement's Cross, Sailor's or Mariner's Cross.