CROSSES IN HERALDRY
Largely because of
their extensive use during the Crusades, crosses play a major role in heraldry. There are
nearly four hundred varieties known to have been used. However, there are only 20 or so
forms that occur widely. Beyond geometrical concenience, there can be no doubt that the
heraldic cross was intended to represent the Sarced Cross. But with the contemporary
shortening of the shields, the shape of the cross changed as well. Gradually it morphed
into one that's dimensions were nearly equal in length and width:
cross
couped or humetty |
passion cross | patriarchal cross | crucifix | Calvary cross | |
pointed cross | cross clechée | cross quatrate | cross crosslet | cross
crosslet fitched |
|
cross fleuretté | cross flory | cross patonce | cross botonny | cross moline | |
cross
patée (or formée) |
cross patée fitched | cross patée fitched at foot |
cross
patée quadrate |
Maltese cross | |
cross pommé | cross potent | cross potent rebated (a.k.a. fylfot) |
cross tau | ||
cross
parted and fretty |
cross voided | cross fimbriated or bordured |
cross quarter-pierced |
||