Labarum

a celebrated standard which was used among the Roman emperors, and frequently means any imperial or royal standard. The original one, so called, consisted of a long lance, at the top of which was fixed a stick that cro ed it at right angles, and from which hung a piece of rich scarlet cloth, that was sometimes ornamented with precious stones. Until the days of Const an tine the great, the figure of an eagle was placed upon the top of the labarum; but that prince substituted in its room, a cro , with a cypher expre ing the name of Jesus.