Heraldic Crosses

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 botonny

• 
  Calvary cross

• 
  cross clechée

• 
  cross couped
  (or cross humetty)

• 
  cross crosslet

• 
  cross crosslet
  fitched

• 
  crucifix

• 
  cross fimbriated
  (or cross bordured)

• 
  cross fleuretté

• 
  cross flory

• 
  Maltese cross

• 
  cross moline

• 
  cross
  parted and fretty

• 
  passion cross

• 
  cross patée
  (or cross formée)

• 
  cross patée
  fitched

• 
  cross patée
  fitched at foot

• 
  cross patée quadrate

• 
  cross patonce

• 
  patriarchal cross

• 
  pointed cross

• 
  cross pommé

• 
  cross potent

• 
  cross potent rebated
  (a.k.a. fylfot)

• 
  cross quadrate

•  

• 
  cross quarter-pierced

• 
  cross tau

• 
  cross voided