Also known as globus cruciger, ♁
globular object sometimes topped with a cross; Christian symbol of authority
In the Vinony graph
Within Vinony's link graph, orb is referenced by 465 other articles, and connects out to crosses in heraldry, Russian Orthodox cross and Coptic cross.
It is catalogued under topics including Byzantine regalia, Christian iconography and Christian symbols.
Its subject is documented across 34 Wikipedia language editions.
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Encyclopedic overview
Imperial Orb of the Holy Roman Empire, part of the Imperial Regalia The globus cruciger (Latin for 'cross-bearing orb'), also known as "the orb and cross" or stavroforos sphaira (Greek: σταυροφόρος σφαίρα), is an orb surmounted by a cross. It has been a Christian symbol of authority since the Middle Ages, used on coins, in iconography, and with a sceptre as royal regalia.
The cross laid over the globus represents Christ's dominion over the world, literally held in the hand of a worthy earthly ruler. In the iconography of Western art, when Christ himself holds the globe, he is called Salvator Mundi (Latin for 'Saviour of the World'). For instance, the 16th-century Infant Jesus of Prague statue holds a globus cruciger in this manner.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “orb” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.