In horror movies, upside down crosses are often used as a symbol of evil and satanic worship. The inverted cross, also known as the Cross of Saint Peter, is a Christian symbol that has been co-opted by the horror genre to represent a perversion of faith.
The Cross of Saint Peter is said to have originated from the story of Saint Peter’s crucifixion. According to tradition, Saint Peter requested to be crucified upside down, as he did not consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus Christ. Since then, the inverted cross has become a symbol of humility and unworthiness in the Christian faith.
However, in horror movies, the upside down cross is often used to represent the opposite of these Christian virtues. It is a symbol of rebellion against the established order and a rejection of traditional religious values. In many horror films, characters who display an inverted cross are often portrayed as evil or demonic, using the symbol as a way to represent their allegiance to Satan.
One of the most famous examples of the use of the upside down cross in horror movies is in the 1973 film “The Exorcist.” In this film, the character Regan, who has been possessed by a demon, is shown with an upside down cross on her forehead, signifying her connection to evil forces. The image of Regan with the inverted cross has become one of the most iconic images in horror movie history.
Other movies have also used the upside down cross to convey a similar message. In the 1981 film “The Beyond,” the character Emily is shown wearing an upside down cross as a symbol of her involvement in a cult that worships an ancient deity. In the 2013 film “The Conjuring,” an upside down cross is briefly shown in the basement of the haunted house, hinting at the demonic forces at work in the home.
While the use of the upside down cross in horror movies may be seen as controversial by some, it has become a common trope in the genre. Filmmakers use it to create a sense of unease and to tap into the audience’s primal fears of the unknown and the demonic. It is a powerful symbol that has the ability to evoke a strong emotional response from viewers, and it is likely to continue to be used in horror movies for years to come.
In conclusion, the upside down cross is a powerful symbol that has been co-opted by the horror genre to represent evil and satanic worship. While it has its origins in the Christian faith as a symbol of humility and unworthiness, it has become a perversion of those values in the context of horror movies. As a result, it has become a common trope in the genre, used to evoke a sense of unease and to tap into the audience’s primal fears of the unknown and the demonic.