The cross is an ancient torture instrument. It is also used as the symbol of Christianity, due to Christ being crucified.
There are two chief symbols of death. The skull with cross bones below are standardized signage for a dangerous or deadly area. Also a bare skull is also a universal symbol of death or mortal danger.
The symbol of life is lightness and the symbol of death is darkness.
THE Symbol of life and death in Catholic belief is the Crucifix, that is a representation of a cross with the corpus (body) of Our Blessed Savior (Jesus Christ) on it. Our Blessed Lord was God incarnate, incarnate for this very purpose: to give up His life in the most horrendous torture imaginable so that each and every one of us might have eternal life.
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It's an ancient Egyptian symbol for life.
An Ankh - the symbol for life
Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross when he was sent by God to die for our sins and allow us an eternity with God. The cross is often confused with an "idol" in the Christian religion, when in reality it is only a symbol for salvation through Christ.
I came to a crossroad in my career where I had to decide between staying in my current job or pursuing a new opportunity. At the crossroad, we had to choose whether to turn left and head towards the beach or turn right and explore the mountains.
The Egyptian symbol for life is the Ankh. It is shaped like a cross with a looped handle above the cross bar. You can see many colorful examples and more information at the related link.The Ankh, which, many believe, was a precursor to the Christian Cross, is the Ancient Egyptian sign of life.
The ankh a cross shape with a ring on top
If you are talking about the symbol or the cross which is called the Ankh, this Egyptian cross represent Life.
I assume you mean "why is the cross a symbol of suffering". In the Christian religion, the cross, often depicted with the figure of Jesus upon it, represents the suffering that Jesus was said to endure for humanity. The cross, and crucifixion, was a punishment used by the Romans to torture political enemies, dissidents, and whoever Pontius Pilate disliked. It was a slow and painful way to die. After the death of Jesus, Christians began using the cross, not just as a symbol of suffering, but to express the belief that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, sins would be forgiven. To this day, the cross is the central symbol of Christianity, since it represents the Christian belief that Jesus willingly gave up his life, and that whoever believes in him will be saved.