Heraldic Templates -- Crosses


The following links are to pages that contain images that you can use to help design your armory -- this set of images are for crosses as they are used in heraldry.

Instructions (please read):

If you want to use this for your heraldic submission, or print it for any reason, click on the 'PDF File' link -- a new browser window will open, and you can print from there.

Note that printing the GIF Files may not provide images that are the correct size for the heraldic submission forms.

Descriptions

The descriptions of the charges below are all taken from The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry ...1, and rather than having a 'footnote' for each, we have one. Note that not all of the detail in the Pictorial Dictionary has been included in the text given ...

The Pictorial Dictionary says about Crosses as charges in general:

"... as the symbol of Christianity, it was elaborated and varied by the medievals more often than any other charge. Medieval heralds were familiar with roughly twenty types of cross, according to Brault; more than three hundred types may be found in Victorial heraldry books.
     "Of these latter, some were distinctions made only after period, which medievally were considered simple artistic variations (e.g. cross crosslet vs. cross bottony). Others were constructed of other charges, conjoined in the shape of a cross (e.g., cross of pheons). Most of the crosses in Victorian texts, however, were never actually used in armory, but were the invention of heraldic writers.
     "The crosses illustrated ... are all found in Society heraldry. Some were used medievally; some were constructed from four or five other charges; some were taken from Victorian texts, before they were deemed untrustworthy; some are taken from other contexts, such as jewelry; and some are Society inventions. Though the cross is normally throughout as an ordinary, most of its variant forms are not throughout unless specifically blazoned so. Some variant forms can be combined in simple cases: e.g. a cross nowy flory pierced would combine those three treatments into a single cross."

Individual crosses are described using what information is in the Pictorial Dictionary for them ...

Note: These are not done yet -- if you see broken links it's because the artists have not completed all the items for this page ...


Cross of Annulets Braced The cross of annulets braced is negligibly different from a cross of chain.
 
PDF File

Cross Annulety The cross annulety (or annuletted) may have been a Byzantine motife, later adapted to mundane heraldry.
 
PDF File

Cross Avellane The cross avellane appears to be an 18th Century invention; it is permitted in Society heraldry.
 
PDF File

Cross Alisée The cross alisée (from the French for "reamed") is found in this form only in Elvin; this is the SCA definition of the charge.
 
PDF File

Ankh The ankh may also be blazoned a crux ansata (literally "a cross with a handle"). It was an ancient Egyptian symbol of life.
 
PDF File

Cross Barby The cross barby is named for the barbs on the ends of the limbs.
 
PDF File

Cross Bottony The cross bottony was an artistic variation on the the cross crosslet in medieval heraldry; no distinction was made between them until the 17th Century. The distinction is made in blazon, for the artist's sake, but no heraldic difference is granted.
 
PDF File

Bowen Cross The Bowen cross is a Bowen knot turned crosswise with its loops made angular. It was originally thought to be a Society invention, and the name is original to the SCA; but it turns out to have been cited in Elvin.
 
PDF File

Cross of Calatrava The cross of Calatrava is also called the cross of Avis; it was the insignia of the Knights of Calatrava, an Iberian order founded in 1158. It was originally a highly ornamental form of the cross flory
 
PDF File

Cross of Calvary The cross of Calvary is a Latin cross mounted on a stepped pedestal; there are three steps by default. The steps may be blazoned grieces or degrees if they must be explicitly numbered.
 
PDF File

Celtic Cross The Celtic cross is found in Irish stone sculptures, dating from the 5th Century; it is characterized by an annulet conjoined to the limbs. ... The Latin form of Celtic cross, with the elongated lower limb, is the most common; the equal-armed form should be explicitly blazoned. They are considered artistic variants; the heraldic difference is negligible.
 
PDF File

Cross of Cerdaña The cross of Cerdaña is an SCA invention; it's essentially a square set on one corner, with a semi-circular notch in each side.
 
PDF File

Cross Clechy The cross clechy was originally a variant form of the crosses formy and patonce; it was blazoned a crux florida pattens in the Boke of St. Albans, 1485. Modern heraldry texts sometimes blazon it as a cross urdy; in SCA blazonry, the latter term is reserved for the cross as an ordinary with a complex line of division.
 
PDF File

Cross of Cleves The cross of Cleves may also be blazoned a Latin cross flory.
 
PDF File

Cross of Coldharbour The cross of Coldharbour was an SCA invention when it was first registered; it has since been deemed equivalent to a Celtic cross throughout.
 
PDF File

Coptic Cross The Coptic cross is a motif found in Christian art in Ethiopia and Egypt. It is not found in mundane heraldry.
 
PDF File

Cross Couped The cross couped, technically speaking, is simply a cross with its ends cut, so that it is not throughout; but it's conventionally rendered with arms of equal length. ... The usage is found as early as c. 1255. The use of Argent, a cross couped gules by itself or in combination with other motifs, has been restricted due to its use as the symbol of the International Red Cross, which is protected by mundane international law.
 
PDF File

Cross Crosslet The cross crosslet, in medieval times could be drawn either as shown, or as the cross bottony; the two were considered equivalent emblazons, only artistically different. They are so considered in Society heraldry as well.
 
PDF File

Cross Fitchy The cross fitchy is any cross whose lower limb has been replaced with a long point. The term derives from the French for "fixed (in the ground)"; the cross is stuck into the ground by its point. Such crosses fitchy date from the earliest heraldry, c. 1244. ... The illustration shows a cross formy fitchy.
 
PDF File

Cross Fleury The cross fleury (or flory) and the cross floretty are artistic variants of one another, dating from c.1300; both were originally artistic variants of the cross patonce. The distinction may be blazoned for the sake of the artist, but no heraldic difference is granted -- particularly between the cross fleury and the cross floretty.
 
PDF File

Cross Formy The cross formy was drawn with concave sides ... from the earliest heraldry (c. 1244) through the SCA period. Beginning in the 16th Century, it was sometimes drawn with straight sides. The arms may converge to a single point at the artist's discretion; the splay of the arms should be pronounced.
 
PDF File

Cross Fourchy The cross fourchy dates from c.1255. It is only artistically different from the cross moline.
 
PDF File

Cross Gurgitée The cross gurgitée, while mentioned by heraldic writers, does not seem to have actualy been used in mundane armory. It is permitted in Society armory.
 
PDF File

Cross Gringolé The cross gringolé is a cross couped with serpent's heads issuant from each limb. It is an ancient charge ... 1277.
 
PDF File

Cross Humetty The cross humetty is sometimes considered synonymous with cross couped; but most writers feel they differ, in that the cross humetty is couped parallel to the edge of the shield.
 
PDF File

Cross of Jerusalem The cross of Jerusalem is taken from the arms of that Kingdom. The Kingdom of Jerusalem had a variety of crosses through its life; this is the best known form, dating from 1282. It may also be blazoned a cross potent between four crosses couped.
 
PDF File

Key Cross The key cross is found in the arms of the city of Pisa, and is sometimes called a cross of Pisa for that reason. Adopted by the city in the 13th Century, the key cross was based on the cross of Toulouse.
 
PDF File

Latin Cross The latin cross is also called a long cross or a Passion cross.
 
PDF File

Cross of Lorraine The cross of Lorraine is an artistic variant of the patriarchal cross, from which it is neglibly different. As a separate type of cross, it deates from teh battle of Nancy, 1477.
 
PDF File

Maltese Cross The Maltese cross was the symbol of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, later called the Knights of Malta; these were founded in 1113. The limbs may converge to a central point, at the artist's discretion.
 
PDF File

Cross Moline The cross moline is one of the oldest variants, dating from 1244; it was the original form of the millrind. ... The cross miller or cross millrind is a more angular artistic variation; the distinction may be blazoned, but no heraldic difference is granted. Both the cross moline and the cross miller are negligibly different from the cross fourchy.
     The cross moline disjointed is a period type of cross, found in ... c. 1312. Though the form is period, there is some disagreement as to exactly how it was blazoned: cross sarcelly, cross resarcelly, and cross moline voided have all been used for this charge -- and each one has also been applied to other charges as well. To avoid ambiguity, SCA blazons use the term moline disjointed.
 
PDF File

Non Cross The Non cross is an SCA invention.
 
PDF File

Norse Sun-Cross The Norse sun-cross is sometimes called an Odin-cross or sun-wheel. It had once been disallowed as being equivalent to an astronomical symbol for the planet Earth, but is currently permitted for SCA use.
 
PDF File

Cross Nowy The cross nowy (literally "knotted") doesn't refer to a peculiar knotting or fretting, but is used in the sense of a knot of wood: a node or lump at the intersection. This is circular by default, but other shapes are possible: e.g. a cross nowed of an estoile or a cross nowy quadrate.
 
PDF File

Cross Parted and Fretted The cross parted and fretted may also be blazoned a cross of two pallets and two barrulets fretted. It is a period treatment.
 
PDF File

Cross Patonce The cross patonce was sometimes called a cross griffee-de-loup (wolf-clawed) in medieval blazons; Victorian heraldic writers sometimes misblazoned it a cross formy fitchy at all points (cf. the discussion of the cross fitchy). As with the cross formy, the arms of the cross patonce may converge to a point, at the artist's discretion. It is one of the oldest cross variants, dating from c. 1244. The cross patonce is negligibly different from the cross fleury, and from the cross clechy.
 
PDF File

Cross Patriarchal The cross patriarchal dates from c. 1270, in the arms of the Kings of Hungary. In the earliest blazons, it was called a doubled cross (Doppelkreuz) or cross of two lathes (transverses); and the crosspieces were often drawn of equal length, very similar to the cross of Lorraine. All forms are considered artistic variants, with no heraldic difference granted.
 
PDF File

Cross Pointed The cross pointed is sometimes misblazoned a cross fitched at all points. This is a solecism; see the discussion under crosses fitchy
 
PDF File

Cross Pomelly The cross pomelly is also called a cross bourdonny, since its ends resemble pilgrim's staves (bourdons).
 
PDF File

Cross Potent The cross potent is so called because each of its ends resembles a crude crutch (called a "potent"). (It should not be confused with a cross potenty, which is an ordinary with a complex line of division.) The cross potent is also somecimes called a cross billety in early blazons. The cross potent is found in one of the early versions of the arms of Jerusalem, temp. Edward I.
 
PDF File

Cross Quadrate The cross quadrate is sometimes, more fully, termed a cross nowy quadrate.
 
PDF File

Cross Quarter-Pierced The cross quarter-pierced was also in period blazoned as checky of nine pieces, and treated as a field treatment.
 
PDF File

Cross Rayonnant The cross rayonnant may also be called a cross irradiated. Its construction is similar to the medieval rose en soleil. It is cited in the Rous Roll, 1483 ...
 
PDF File

Russian Orthodox Cross The Russian Orthodox cross is also called a Greek Orthodox or Eastern Orthodox cross. The lower crossbar is bendwise sinister by default; it comes from a legend that one of Christ's legs was longer than the other.
 
PDF File

Cross of St. Brigid The cross of St. Brigid is an SCA invention. It is based on a woven straw design, used by the Irish on St. Brigid's Day, but dating from pagan fertility rituals. ...
 
PDF File

Cross of Samildanach The cross of Samildanach is an SCA invention.
 
PDF File

Cross of Santiago The cross of Santiago or cross of St. James, is the insignia of the Knights of Santiago, a Portugese order founded in 1170. It is also blazoned a cruz espada (lit. "sword-cross") in Iberian armory; it's sometimes erroneously blazoned a cross fleury fitchy.
 
PDF File

Crux Stellata The crux stellata (literally "starred cross") appears to be a Victorian invention; no examples are found in mundane armory. It is permitted in Society armory.
 
PDF File

Cross Swallowtailed The cross swallowtailed is sometimes erroneously blazoned a cross double-fitched; but this shows a misunderstanding of the term fitchy.
 
PDF File

Tau Cross The tau cross may also be blazoned a cross of St. Anthony.
 
PDF File

Cross of Toulouse The cross of Toulouse was sometimes blazoned as a cross clechy, voided and pometty in early blazons. It is found in the arms of the Counts of Toulouse as early as c. 1245.
 
PDF File

Cross Tripartite and Fretted The cross tripartite and fretted may also be blazoned a cross of three pallets fretted with three barrulets. It is a period treatment, found in arms dating from 1406.
 
PDF File

Ukrainian Sun Cross The Ukrainian sun cross, though a motif in Russian art, is not found in mundane armory. It might also be blazoned a cross nowy swallowtailed.
 
PDF File

Crosses of <charges>

[The following crosses are ones that are comprised of other charges, and are here as examples. Just because a cross of other charges is not shown does not mean it is illegal by SCA standards. If you are not sure, you should check with the heralds.]

Cross of Four Ermine Spots The cross of four ermine spots is found as a charge c. 1490, in the arms of Hurleton. It is sometimes blazoned a cross erminée in mundane heraldry; the former blazon should be used, however, to avoid confusion with a cross ermine (i.e. an ordinary tinctured of a fur).
 
PDF File

Cross of Fusils The cross of fusils, or cross fusilly was originally another way of drawing a cross indented. The cross is throughout; and the number of fusils, if unspecified, is left to the artist.
 
PDF File

Cross of Lozenges The cross of lozenges, unlike the cross of fusils, is seldom seen throughout. The number of lozenges must be explicitly blazoned; the illustration shows a cross of four lozenges.
 
PDF File

Cross of Mascles The cross of mascles, like the cross of lozenges, must have its number explicitly blazoned. The illustration shows a cross of five mascles.
 
PDF File

Cross of Four Pheons The cross of four pheons, conjoined at the points is sometimes blazoned a cross pheony in mundane heraldry; the exact blazon by parts is preferred.
 
PDF File


Footnotes:
1 The Pictorial Dictionary of Heraldry as Used in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., 2nd Edition, Bruce Draconarius of Mistholme and Akagawa Yoshio, 1992, self-published.


Disclaimer: All of these drawings are intended for use in the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., specifically for heraldic purposes. However, these pages do not delineate SCA College of Arms or West Kingdom College of Heralds policy. All attempts are made when describing or portraying the elements of armory used in these pages to be as accurate to both medieval and SCA usage as possible, but if you are not sure, you should check with the College of Arms or the College of Heralds. You may use these drawings "as is" for the purpose of designing heraldry for use within the SCA with this understanding. All decisions by the West Kingdom College of Heraldry and/or the SCA's College of Arms regarding the depictions used on your submission forms supercedes anything found here.


Heraldic Templates