The crosier is the symbol of the governing office of the Bishop. The Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholic crosier, in the Slavic tradition known as the "pateritsa", is found in two common forms. One is tau-shaped, with drooping arms, surmounted with a small cross. The other has a top comprising a pair of sculptured serpents or dragons curled back to face each other, with a small cross between them. The symbolism in the latter case is of the bronze serpents made by Moses in Numbers 21:8-9.