or CROZIER, a shepherd's crook; a symbol of pastoral authority, consisting of a gold or silver staff, crooked at the top, carried occasionally before bishops and abbots, and held in the hand when they give the solemn benedictions. The custom of bearing a pastoral staff before bishops is very ancient, as appears from the life of St Cesarea of Arles, who lived about the year 500. Among the Greeks none but the patriarchs had a right to the crosier. The crosiers were at first no more than simple wooden staves in form of a T, used to rest and lean upon. By degrees they were made longer; and at length arrived at the form we now see them off. Regular abbots are allowed to officiate with a mitre and crosier.

in Astronomy, four stars in the southern hemisphere in the form of a cross, serving those who sail in south latitudes to find the antarctic pole.