The Orb
The whole world under Christ’s rule, often shown with a cross on top.
An orb is a golden globe, the earth held in the hand of its ruler. Topped with a cross, it is called the globus cruciger: the world under Christ.
Christ the King. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). Christ is shown crowned, with the orb in one hand and the sceptre in the other. Pope Pius XI set the feast of Christ the King in 1925.
The Infant Jesus of Prague. The Child holds the orb with a cross in his left hand and blesses with his right: the King of the world as a little child.
The Saviour of the World. Paintings of Christ as Salvator Mundi show him holding a clear crystal orb and blessing.
Kings and emperors. Christian kings were handed the orb with a cross at their coronation, to remind them that they ruled under Christ.
Also called: globus cruciger; the globe
Where you’ll see it
In their hands
All symbols →
A statue with the orb?
Every statue is made from scratch in our studio in Mangalore.