The Cross of Saint Peter or Petrine Cross is an inverted Latin cross traditionally used as a Christian symbol, but in recent times also used as an anti-Christian and Satanic symbol. In Christianity, it is associated with the martyrdom of Peter the Apostle. The symbol originates from the Catholic tradition that when sentenced to death, Peter requested that his cross be upside down, as he felt unworthy of being crucified in the same manner as Jesus. The Petrine Cross is also associated with the papacy, reflecting the Catholic belief that the pope is the successor of Peter as bishop of Rome. In Christianity The origin of the symbol comes from the belief that Peter the Apostle was crucified upside down, as told by Origen of Alexandria. The tradition first appears in the "Martyrdom of Peter", a fragmented text found in, but possibly predating, the apocryphal Acts of Peter, which was written no later than 200 A.D. It is believed that Peter requested this form of crucifixion as he felt he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as Jesus. According to Roman Catholicism, the pope is Peter's successor as bishop of Rome. Therefore, the Papacy is often represented by symbols that are also used to represent Peter, one example being the Petrine Cross. Eugene Vintras and becoming an occult symbol Today, the cross of Saint Peter is also known as an occult symbol. It is suggested that the first person to use the symbol in this manner is , a 19th century cult leader known for his claim to be the reincarnation of the Prophet Elijah as well as his demonic rituals and perverted acts for which he was condemned by the Pope, tried and imprisoned. Vintras wore robes bearing the inverted cross. The famous French occultist Éliphas Lévi wrote that this was a sign of Vintras's satanic inclinations. Over time, the Petrine cross came to be known more commonly as an occult symbol. Starting with the 1960s, several TV productions and movie franchises featured the Cross of Saint Peter as a symbol representing the Antichrist and Satan making it one of the most popular satanic symbols today. In popular culture The inverted cross is a recurring motif in metal music, particularly in black metal in congruity with its anti-Christian themes. One well-known example is Glen Benton of the band Deicide who branded an inverted cross onto his