Byzantine Cross, Russian Orthodox Cross, Three Bar Cross

Top Bar: “King of the Jews”
Written notice of the charge against the accused.  Perhaps Pilate’s way of mocking Jewish Leaders, and mocking Jesus himself.  What was written to announce a crime, became a sign of God’s approval.  John 19:19, 20 “Pilate had a noticed prepared and fastened to the cross.  It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS…and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.”

Cross Bar
Heavy iron nails were driven through the victim’s wrist into the cross bar.  Only slaves and non-Romans were executed in this manner-an agonizing death considered disgraceful.
Josephus Antiquities 18: Chapter 3 “And when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principle men amongst us, had Jesus condemned to the cross.”
Mark 15: 24 “And they crucified him…”

Lower Bar: Foot Rest
Nails were driven through heels as well.  Some claim the bar was pushed down as Jesus took his last breath.  This bar is also a symbol of the balance of justice—Christ having satisfied the wages of sin.  Some sources claim the tilted bar represents the responses of the two criminals executed with Jesus: one repented and was lifted to paradise, one rejected and mocked Jesus and descended into hell.
Luke 23:39 “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Christ?  Save yourself, and us!’  But the other criminal rebuked him.  ‘Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.’  Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”  Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”