How to Make a Palm Sunday Cross from a Palm Leaf Blade

Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus returning to Jerusalem. During mass, worshippers hold palm fronds or palm leaf blades to commemorate his arrival, just as his disciples held out palm fronds in front of him as he rode into town.

To save your leaf after mass and keep it in good condition, you can fold the palm blade into a crucifix. These instruction will show you how to make a sturdy and long lasting cross; all you need is a pair of hands.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Step 1

   First, use a palm blade that is at least 30 times as long as it is wide. So, if the blade is 1 inch wide at its widest point, then the length should be at least 30 inches, or 2 and a half feet. If the palm leaf is too fat, split it down the middle, and fold it into two crosses.

2. Step 2
   

   Starting from the base of the leaf, fold up about a sixth of the length, and then fold up another sixth. Click thumbnail to enlarge. This forms the vertical part of the cross.

3. Step 3
   

   Next, take the long part and fold it perpendicular to the section that you folded in Step 1. Fold it about a third of the way down from the top of the cross. Then fold it across and around the back. This forms the horizontal part of the cross.

4. Step 4
   

   Using the remainder of the palm leaf, wrap the thinner end around the crux of the cross to secure it. Tuck the last bit inside the cross.

5. Step 5

   At the top is a loop through which you can pass a piece of string to make a necklace, or wall hanging. The palm leaf is also porous enough so that you can use regular glue to decorate the cross.