Dictionary of Vexillology: Appendix VIII

The heraldic term for a cross that does not usually extend to the edges of a shield, flag, canton or panel, but whose ends are formed by three discs – a trefoil or treflee cross (see also ‘cross 2)’, ‘disc’ and ‘trefoil’).

From left: Example; Flag of the Order of St Maurice, Italy (fotw); Flag of Massonnens, Switzerland (fotw)

The heraldic term for a cross which may or may not extend to the edges of a shield, flag, canton or panel, but which has four further crosses (or other charges) arranged around it – a cross cantoned (see also ‘canton 3)’, ‘cross 1)’, ‘cross pattée’ and ‘cross potent’)

From left: Crosses-Cantonée examples; The Kingdom of Jerusalem c1200 (CS); National Flag of Georgia (fotw)

Please note as may be seen in the illustrations above, various types of cross can be used to make up a cross cantonée, and that a Jerusalem Cross (constructed of a cross-potent and four Greek crosses or of five crosses-potent) is one specific type.

The heraldic term for a cross that does not generally extend to the edges of a shield, flag, panel or flag, but whose arms are in the form of (usually irregular) lozenges or fusils – a cross-lozengy or cross-fusilly (see also ‘cross 2)’, ‘fusil’ and ‘lozenge’).

from left: Examples (2); Arms and Flag of Mogilany, Poland (Jarig Bakker)

The heraldic term for a cross that extends to the edges of a shield, panel, banner of arms or flag, and which is divided along its horizontal and vertical centre-line with the tinctures of the field and cross alternating in adjacent quarters (see also ‘counterchanged’, ‘cross 2)’, ‘quarter 2)’ and ‘tincture’).

Flag and Arms of Zapresic, Croatia (fotw); Flag of Kreis, Switzerland (fotw)

Please note that a cross that is divided only along either its horizontal or vertical centre-line is properly blazoned using a full description – for example, “per fess argent and azure a cross-couped counterchanged" or “per pale argent and gules a Maltese Cross counterchanged” as shown below.

Flag of Zurrieq, Malta (fotw): Flag of Villars-Saint-Croix, Switzerland (fotw)

A heraldic term sometimes used when a cross (either plain or decorated) does not extend to edges of a shield, banner of arms or flag (see also ‘couped 2)’ and ‘Greek cross 2)’).

Please note that, unless referring to a plain cross, this term is always accompanied by a further description, for example a “cross botonny couped”.

The heraldic term for a cross which does not usually extend to the edges of a shield, flag canton or panel, but whose arms have a short transverse bar inserted (see also ‘cross 2)’).

Flag of Echt-Susteren, The Netherlands (fotw); Flag of Slupca, Poland (Jarig Bakker)

The heraldic term for a cross which does not usually extend to the edges of a shield, flag, canton or panel, and which may have plain or decorated ends, but whose vertical arm comes to a point at its base (see also ‘cross 2)’ and ‘cross of Santiago’).

Flag of Bernissart, Belgium (fotw); Flag of Avinyó, Spain (fotw)

Please note that, unless referring to a plain cross, this term is always accompanied by a further description, for example a “cross crosslet fitchy”.

The heraldic term for a cross which does not usually extend to the edges of a shield, flag, canton or panel, but whose ends are formed by fleur-de-lis – a fleur-de-lis cross, avis cross, or cross of calatrava (see also ‘cross 2)’, ‘fleur-de-lis’ and ’fleury’)

From left: Example; Suggested Flag of the Avis Order, Portugal (fotw); Flag of Almagro, Spain (fotw); Flag of Guriezo, Spain (fotw); Flag of The Portuguese Legion c1928 – 1974 (fotw)

The heraldic term for a cross which does not usually extend to the edges of a shield, flag, canton or panel, but whose ends are split into two curved pieces (see also ‘cross 2)’).

Flag of Annœullin, France (fotw)

The heraldic term for a cross that does not usually (although it may) extend to the edges of a shield, flag, panel or flag, but which is mounted on three steps.

From left: Example; Flag of Geraardsbergen, Belgium (fotw); Flag of Fulleda. Spain (fotw)

The sword-like cross of the Spanish/Portuguese Order of St James – but see ‘cross fitchy’.

Cross of the Order of Santiago (fotw); Flag and Arms of Santiago-Sesimbra, Portugal; Flag and Arms of Quinta do Conde, Portugal (Antonio Martins)

The heraldic term for a cross which may or may not extend to the outer edges of a shield, flag, canton or panel, whose arms are generally flat-ended but which is wider at its outer ends than it is in the centre. The arms can be straight-sided or curved throughout their length, or they can be straight-sided and parallel until being flared at their outer end – a cross formée, formé or formy, or an iron, Hanseatic, Hansa, cavalier or cavalier’s cross – but see ‘Maltese cross’ (also ‘cross 2)’).

From left: example; Flag of Wallis & Fortuna; Civil Ensign of Guernsey; House flag of Chr. Jensen, Denmark (fotw)

The heraldic term for a cross which does not usually extend to the edges of a shield, flag, canton or panel, but whose arms terminate in a transverse bar – a cross potence or Teutonic Cross  (see also ‘cross 2)’ and ‘cross-cantonée’).

From left: Cross-Potent example; Flag of Goumoëns-la-Ville, Switzerland (fotw))

The heraldic term for a cross that may or may not extend to the edges of a shield, flag, canton or panel, but in which the vertical arm does not extend above the horizontal thus creating a letter ‘T’.

Flag of Lede, Belgium (fotw); Flag of L’Albiol, Spain (fotw); Flag of St Antönien-Ascharina, Switzerland (fotw)

The heraldic term for a cross that may or may not reach the edges of a shield, banner of arms or flag and may be either closed or open-ended, but from which the centre is removed so that the field may be seen through it (see also ‘voided’)

From left: example; Flag of the Mouvement Normand, France (fotw); Flag of De Haan, Belgium (fotw)

Please note that, unless referring to a plain cross, this term is always accompanied by a further description, for example "a cross pattée voided".

The heraldic term for a cross that does not extend to the edges of a shield, flag, panel or flag, but whose horizontal arm is shorter than its vertical and which is set above the centre line – a long cross (see also ‘Greek cross’ and ‘cross 2)’)

From left: example; Flag and Arms of Budinšcina, Croatia (Fame); Flag of the Muzzle Loaders of Manitoba, Canada

Please note that, unless referring to a plain cross, this term should always accompanied by a further description, for example a “Latin cross pattée”.

Flag of Urtenen-Schönbühl, Switzerland (fotw)