Crucifix

The crucifix is a cross bearing an image of Jesus being crucified. Protestants usually use a cross with no corpus (Latin for body) of Jesus attached. The graphic nature of the crucifix appeared in the Western Church to remind Christians that Jesus was true man as well as true God, and that his suffering and death were very real and extremely painful. The crucifix serves as a reminder of the high price paid for humankind's sins and is meant to inspire believers to repent their sins and be grateful for their salvation, which was made possible by Jesus's death on the cross.