The cross or crucifix is the Christian symbol that represents the victory of Jesus over sin and death. It is the path towards complete human fulfillment in love to the extreme. The crucifix appeared in Christian art around the fifth century and later in liturgical art, representing Christ still alive on the cross, stripped of His garments and with His eyes open. In the eight century, the crucifix began to be used in churches with the most celebrated being that of Holy Face at Lucca's, a crucifix, that according to tradition, was carved by Nicodemus. In the mid twelve-hundreds, the crucifix presented Christ as triumphant on the cross and it was Charlemagne who presented Christ especially as the living victorious king, Christ the King. From the time of Saint Francis of Assi, who with his friars, preached fervently on the passion, the cross has presented the suffering Christ with a crown of thorns instead of a royal crown. Today, the crucifix continues to be a distintive symbol of Christianity and a sign of the love of God that overcomes death and saves mankind wounded by sin.