Why does an "x" stand for kiss??

In honor of the upcoming holiday, Valentine's Day, I will focus on something that I love or that touches my heart each day until the BIG DAY.  So, what does that have to do with this post's title?  I LOVE learning the significance of why we do or say things. 

That led me to find out WHY OH WHY we put an "x" for "kiss."  There actually IS a reason! 

 

Check this out: The common custom of placing X's on envelopes, notes and at the bottom of letters to mean kisses dates back to the Middle Ages, when a Christian cross was drawn on documents or letters to mean sincerity, faith, and honesty. A kiss was then placed upon the cross, by the signer as a display of their sworn oath. It was also used in early Christian history as much of a display of the same. Since most of the common people could not read or write, the 'X' was placed on documents, and a kiss placed upon it as a show of their sincerity.  {source:wikipedia}

WOW isn't that COOL?!?!  I just love finding out the history behind things {weird, b/c I am not a history buff, AT ALL!}, and think it's cool how it has traveled down the generations.

 

Until tomorrow... XXOO!