The original form of
the Cross was that of the letter T. The numerical value of the
sign T (Tau), in Greek arithmetic was 300. Eighteen was
represented by ιη, the
first two letters of the name ᾽Ιησοὐς, Jesus. To
St. Ambrose, therefore, it seemed that there was some mysterious power
in the number 318, represented by the sign of the Cross and the first
two letters of the Saviour’s name, thus—TIH.