Heraldic Crosses

Heraldic crosses have been used from Medieval times to the present to symbolize faith, protection, Christianity, a Christian experience or sentiment, or service in the Crusades.

There are hundreds of crosses, some similar, others very different. There seems to be an unlimited supply of crosses as occasions and events give rise to new cross symbols.

• Advent Cross [Anticipatory Cross, Commissa Cross, Commisse Cross, Crux Ansata, Crux Commissa Cross, Old Testament Cross, St. Anthony's Cross, Tau Cross] ~ token of absolution

  The last letter in the Hebrew alphabet ‘X’, is pronounced ‘taw’. In Greek, ‘T’ is the letter ‘Tau’. It means ‘a cross made by joining or attaching pieces together’. When the cross bar is used as a carrying handle, it becomes a Crux Ansata.
  
  

  
  Advent Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  As Jesus prophesied his own crucifixion in John 3: 14 and 15, this is also called the Anticipatory Cross or Advent Cross. Some churches use this cross for Advent Sunday.

  An Egyptian priest, Father Anthony, followed an ascetic life in the desert. Long-lived and healthy, he was also considered wise. As his fame spread, the Tau Cross also became called St. Anthony’s Cross.

  Looking at the Tau Cross, in brown, it’s the same as a monk’s habit, with the arms outstretched.
  
  

  
  Tau or St. Anthony Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Aiguise Cross [Nail Cross, Pain Cross, Suffering Cross, Urdee Cross]
  
  
  Aiguise Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Altar Cross [Calvary Cross, Degraded Cross, Stepped Cross,]
  
  
  Altar Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Anchor Cross [Mariner Cross, Sailor Cross , St. Clement Cross]
  
  
  Anchor Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Anchory Cross
  
  
  Image courtesy James Parker
  
  
• Anillee Cross, Croix Fourche Cross
  
  
  Anillee Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Ankh Cross [Ansata Cross, Egyptian Cross, Handled Cross, Key of the Nile Cross, Looped Tau Cross ] ~ crux ansata - the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph meaning 'life', thus life and fertility.

  The symbol looks like the posts that lined the banks of the Nile River, indicating high-water mark of floods. As floods brought new and fertile soil, so this became the symbol of renewed life.
  
  

  
  Ankh Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  Coptic Ankh Cross [Gnostic Cross] ~ no information found
  
  
  Coptic Ankh Cross image courtesy Wikipedia
  
  
• Annuletty Cross [Humetty Ringed Cross, a cross which is couped and has rings ansurated at the four extremities]
  
  
  Annuletty Cross image courtesy James Parker
  
  
• Anticipatory Cross [Advent Cross, Commissa Cross, Commisse Cross , Crux Ansata, Crux Commissa Cross, Old Testament Cross, St. Anthony's Cross, Tau Cross] ~ token of absolution

  The last letter in the Hebrew alphabet ‘X’, is pronounced ‘taw’. In Greek, ‘T’ is the letter ‘Tau’. It means ‘a cross made by joining or attaching pieces together’. Shen the cross bar is used as a carrying handle, it becomes a Crux Ansata.
  
  

  
  Anticipatory Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  As Jesus prophesied his own crucifixion in John 3: 14 and 15, this is also called the Anticipatory Cross or Advent Cross. Some churches use this cross for Advent Sunday.
  
  
• Apostle’s Cross [Bottony Cross, Budded Cross, Cathedral Cross, Disciple’s Cross, Treflee Cross, Trefoil Cross] ~ the three buds on the arms symbolizing
  • the Trinity
  • the faith hope, and love of I Corinthains 13
  • A trefoil cross identifies a cathedral
  • Aaron’s staff budded (Numbers 17), then was placed in the Ark of the Covenant, signifying life can emerge from death and renewed life from difficult circumstances

  The four arms with three buds give the name Apostle’s Cross, with one bud for each apostle, while Matthew 16:24 invites us all to become apostles, or disciples, of Christ.
  
  

  
  Apostle’s Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Armenian Cross [Siroun Cross, Khachkar Cross, Armenia was the first country to use the cross as a Christian symbol. Chrisianity became the ‘state’ religion in the 4th century. Other countries didn’t use the cross until the 9th century.] ~ The discs on the ends of the arms were to represent the sun, with each sun representing the light of Christianity. The total of eight discs symbolize the eight beatitudes of Matthew 5:3 to 11. Multiples of 8 are in their architecture, with the churches built on 16 pillars, for the 12 Apostles and 4 Evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Often an octagonal dome tops the churches.
  
  
  Armenian Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Archbishop’s Cross [Archiepiscopal Cross, Patriarchal Cross, Titulus Cross] ~ the extra cross-beam has more than one explanation
  • representing the plaque which bore Pontius Pilate'’ inscription ‘INRI’ which translates Jesus the Nazorean, King of the Jews. In Latin the plaque is known as titulus cruces, thus named the Titulus Cross
  • the first beam symbolizes secular power, the second ecclesiastic power of the Byzantine emperors. Used as a political symbol in 9th century by Byzantine clerks and missionaries.
  • the first beam represents the death of Christ, the second His resurrection
  
  
  
  Archbishop’s Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
  Archbishop’s Cross II image courtesy James Parker
  
  
• Archiepiscopal Cross ~ see Archbishop’s Cross
  
  
• Arrow Cross [Barbee Cross, Barby Cross, Croix Cramponnee, Croix Tournee, Crosstar Cross, St. Sebastian's Cross] ~ the ends of this cross resemble the barbs of fish hooks, or fish spears, alluding to the Ichthys symbol of Christ, suggesting the ‘fishers of men’ in the Gospels.
  
  
  Arrow Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
  Arrow Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
  Arrow Cross image courtesy James Parker
  
  
• Avellan, Avellane Cross [Cercelée Cross, Hazelnut Cross, Recercelée Cross, Sarcelly Cross, Teal Duck Cross] Corylus avellana is the Latin name for the hazel shrub. Throughout Great Britain the shrubs were planted as hedgerows. Longer poles were used for wattle-and-daub fences and buildings. It also produces the hazelnut.

  In French

  • Avellan ~ hazel shrub or nut
  • Cercelee ~ ends curved out
  • Recercelee ~ ends curved in
  • Sarcell ~ teal duck
  
  
  
  Avellan Cross I image courtesy James Parker
  
  
  Avellan Cross II image courtesy James Parker
  
  
  Avellan Cross III image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Barbee Cross, Barby Cross [Arrow Cross, Croix Cramponnee, Croix Tournee, Crosstar, St. Sebastian's Cross] ~ the ends of this cross resemble the barbs of fish hooks, or fish spears, alluding to the Ichthys symbol of Christ, suggesting the ‘fishers of men’ in the Gospels.
  
  
  Barbee, Barby Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
  Barbee, Barby Cross II image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
  Barbee Cross image courtesy James Parker
  
  
• Basque [Gaelic Lauburu, meaning four mountain peaks, four heads or four tips] ~ prosperity
  
  
  Basque Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Bath Cross [Fishtail Cross, Formee Cross, Iron Cross, Knight’s Cross, Maltese Cross, Pattee Cross, Regeneration Cross, St. John’s Cross, a decorated Maltese Cross] ~ military honour, blessings, badge of Knights Hospitalier and Knights of Malta, with the points symbolizing the eight beatitudes
  
  
  Bath Cross image courtesy Fleur de Lis
  
  
• Bent Cross [Fylfot Cross, Gamma Cross, Rotating Cross, Spinning Cross, Tetraskelion Cross] ~ an upright Cross with truncated bent arms] ~ four feet.

  Gamma, Γ , is the third letter of the Greek alphabet, reminding Christians of the Trinity. The four gammas represent four Evangelists with the Greek Cross in the center representing Christ.
  
  

  
  Bent Cross image courtesy Wikipedia
  
  
• Bezant Cross [Bourdonnée Cross, Pomee Cross, Pomel Cross, Pommelly, Pommee Cross, very old coins from Turkey/Byzantium were called ‘Bezants’. The coins were widely circulated, and this cross also adopted the name] ~ symbolizes the fruits and rewards of living a good Christian lifePommee' means 'apple', and in the Bible the apple is always referred to as a treasured item
  
  
  Bezant Cross image courtesy James Parker
  
  
• Blessings Cross [Hand Held Cross, Palm Cross, small cross which fits in the palm of the hand, often placed in the hands of someone who is dying]
  
  
  Blessing Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Bordered Cross [Clechee Cross, Empty Cross, Pierced Cross, Voided Cross] ~ being empty, it recalls that Christ rose from death on the cross to proclaim His victory over sin, death, and the devil.
  
  
  Bordered Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Bottonnee Cross, Bottony Cross [Apostle’s Cross, Budded Cross, Cathedral Cross, Disciple’s Cross, Treflee Cross, Trefoil Cross, derived from the French bouton, a bud or knob, a cross ending in three lobes like the trefoil leaf] ~

  the three buds on the arms symbolize

  • the Trinity
  • the faith hope, and love of I Corinthains 13
  • A trefoil cross identifies a cathedral
  • Aaron’s staff budded (Numbers 17), then was placed in the Ark of the Covenant, signifying life can emerge from death and renewed life from difficult circumstances

  The four arms with three buds give the name Apostle’s Cross, with one bud for each apostle, while Matthew 16:24 invites us all to become apostles, or disciples, of Christ.
  
  

  
  Bottonnee, Bottony Cross image
  courtesy James Parker
  
  
  Bottonnee, Bottony Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  

• Bottony Clechy Cross [Cathar Cross, Entrailed Cross, Huguenot Cross, Languedoc Cross, Occitan Cross, Toulousse Cross, before the French Revolution, Toulouse was the capital of the Languedoc Province. Similar to the Languedoc Cross, adopted by the Huguenots] ~ the blobs (bottony) extending beyond the edge of the cross have no known purpose, though they may represent the twelve apostles, rays of sunlight, as simply have been rivets used to attach the cross to a shield.
  
  
  Bottony Clechy Cross image courtesy Fleur de Lis
  
  
• Boundary Cross [Crux Decussata, St. Andrews Cross, Saltire Cross, Scotland’s national flag and a Russian Navy naval ensign. Called the Boundary Cross because it was used by the Romans as a barrier
  
  
  Boundary Cross image courtesy Wikipedia
  
  
• Bourdonnée Cross [Bezant Cross, Pomee Cross, Pomel Cross, Pommelly Cross, very old coins from Turkey/Byzantium were called ‘Bezants’. The coins were widely circulated, and this cross also adopted the name] ~ symbolizes the fruits and rewards of living a good Christian life. In French pomme means apple, which in the Bible is always a treasured item.
  
  
  Bourdonnee Cross image courtesy James Parker
  
  
• Budded Cross [Apostle’s Cross, Bottonnee Cross, Bottony Cross, Cathedral Cross, Disciple’s Cross, Treflee Cross, Trefoil Cross, derived from the French bouton, a bud or knob, a cross ending in three lobes like the trefoil leaf] ~

  the three buds on the arms symbolizing

  • the Trinity
  • the faith hope, and love of I Corinthains 13
  • A trefoil cross identifies a cathedral
  • Aaron’s staff budded (Numbers 17), then was placed in the Ark of the Covenant, signifying life can emerge from death and renewed life from difficult circumstances

  The four arms with three buds give the name Apostle’s Cross, with one bud for each apostle, while Matthew 16:24 invites us all to become apostles, or disciples, of Christ.
  
  

  
  Budded Cross image courtesy James Parker
  
  
  Budded Cross II image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  
• Byzantine Cross [Eastern Orthodox Cross, Russian Cross, Slavic Cross, Slavonic Cross, Ukraine Cross] ~ as in the Patriarchal Cross, the top beam the plaque bearing Pontius Pilate's inscription INRI, "Jesus the Nazorean, King of the Jews".
  • The lowest beam, called a suppedaneum or footrest, is slanted symbolizing a balance-scale of justice. This portrays the good thief accepting Christ and ascending into heaven while the bad thief who mocked Jesus is descending into hell.
  • The lower beam also represents Matthew 23:32 and 33, in which those on the right side of Christ will rise up into heaven while those on his left will slide down into hell.
  
  
  
  Byzantine Cross image courtesy Seiyaku
  
  

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