Outdoor crucifix

A crucifix (from the Latin cruci fixus meaning '(one) fixed to a cross') is a cross with an image of Jesus on it, as distinct from a bare cross. The representation of Jesus himself on the cross . 

The crucifix is a visual representation of one of the central beliefs of the Catholic faith, that Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, a sacrifice we Catholics commemorate at each Mass during the Eucharist.   

THE CROSS

A cross is the one without the corps of Jesus.  Meaning Christ is risen. 

Some people obviously say since Christ is no longer on the cross, he is risen!!  It is incorrect to say that Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead in a past tense.  Since our belief in the Resurrection of Christ is a present happening, the reminder of the corpus visible is always a present tense occurrence.

The crucifix is a symbol of remembrance of Christ's sufferings and death, but also a symbol closely associated with His sacrifice and the mystery of the Passion. It was, moreover, natural that it should be venerated by Christian’s who are redeemed by the cross and passion of Christ.