The wounds suffered by Christ on the crossCross Instrument of torture and execution used in the Roman Empire. The means by which Christ was put to death and therefore the primary symbol of the Christian faith, representing the means by which he is believed to have won forgiveness for humankind. The Cross may be represented as Tau-shaped (like a capital T); with a shorter cross-bar or with a circle enclosing the upper intersection (Celtic). In medieval art a cross made of living branches signifies the Tree of Life. St Helena, mother of the Emperor Constantine, is said to have discovered the True Cross (i.e. the Cross in Jerusalem on which Christ died) in 326. i.e. the piercing of his hands, feet and side. Devotion to the Five WoundsFive Wounds The wounds suffered by Christ on the cross i.e. the piercing of his hands, feet and side. Devotion to the Five Wounds developed in the Middle Ages as interest in the humanity and sufferings of Christ grew developed in the Middle Ages as interest in the humanity and sufferings of Christ grew