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==Later Usage==
Later usage has sometimes regarded the terms "labarum" and "Chi-Rho" as synonyms (i.e. the labarum bearing the chi-rho symbol). Ancient sources however draw an unambiguous distinction between the two. For one thing this is because the "Chi-Rho" [[w:Christogram|Christogram]] and the "Labarum" were not originally synonyms; originally, the labarum being a type of [[w:Vexillum|vexillum]], was a military standard used in the Classical Era of the Roman Empire, with a flag hanging from a horizontal crossbar; the Chi-Rho Christogram was only added above to the flag by the Emperor [[Constantine the Great|Constantine I]] in the late Roman period.
In addition, the "Chi-Rho" Christogram was not always used is connection with the imperial labarum, but its use by Christians naturally evolved into a variety of formats, including its use on coins and medallions (minted during Constantine's reign and by subsequent rulers), on Christian sarcophagi and frescoes from about 350 AD, and became part of the official imperial insignia after Constantine, eventually appearing on public buildings and churches as well.