Dictionary of Vexillology: Appendix VIII

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 or fleury cross, avis cross, or cross of calatrava (see also ‘avis cross’, ‘cross 2)’, ‘Dominican cross’, ‘cross of Calatrava’, ‘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)

See ‘snakehead cross’.

The heraldic term for a cross that may or may not extend to the edges of a shield, flag or panel, but is composed of two tinctures meeting at the centre point and alternating either side of the vertical and horizontal meridians (thus giving it a three-dimensional appearance) – a gyronny cross - see ‘gyronny’ and compare with ‘cross counterchanged’ in ‘appendix VIII’ (also ‘Dominican cross’, ‘faceted’ and ‘tincture’).

Example; Flag of Kreis Safien, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Studnice, Czech Republic (fotw)

Notes
a) Unless describing a plain cross throughout, this term should always be accompanied by a further description, for example a “cross fleury gyronny couped”.
b) A cross whose centre is obscured by a charge (as illustrated below) could be described as either a cross gyronny or a cross-counterchanged, however, the term ‘cross quartered’ has now come into use - see ‘cross quartered’.

Flag of Santa Cruz de La Palma, Spain (Klaus-Michael Schneider)

1) The heraldic term used when two or more crosses are borne (couped) on the same coat – but see ‘cross-cantonée’ and ‘cross-crosslet’ in ‘Appendix VIII:’ (also ‘couped’).
2) A term also (incorrectly) used to describe a single small cross.

Flag and Arms of Batalha, Portugal (fotw); Flag of Òdena, Spain (fotw); Flag of Somerville College Oxford, UK (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 – an anchor or moline cross (see also ‘cross 2)’ and ‘snakehead cross’).

Flag of Annœullin, France (fotw)

The heraldic term for a Latin 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 steps – a cross of crucifixion, a calvary cross or calvary (see also ‘Latin cross’).

From left: Example; Flag of Geraardsbergen, Belgium (fotw); Flag of Fulleda, Spain (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 finish in a roundel (see also ‘cross 2)’, ‘pommeled’ and ‘roundel 3))’  

 
Example (Parker); Flag of Lagoa, Portugal (Sérgio Horta); Arms and Flag of Santa Cruz, Portugal (Klaus-Michael Schneider)

The heraldic term for a cross that may or may not extend to the outer edges of a shield, flag, canton or panel, whose arms are generally (but not exclusively) 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, a pattée, patée, patty or Paty cross, a formée, formé or formy cross, or an iron, Hanseatic, Hansa, cavalier or cavalier’s cross – but see ‘Maltese cross’, ‘rounded cross’ (also ‘cross 2)’ and ‘Cross of the Order of the Knights of Christ’).

From left: example; Flag of Wallis & Fortuna; Civil Ensign of Guernsey; House flag of Chr. Jensen, Denmark (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’ - a tau cross, Cross of St Anthony or Saint Anthony's Cross, and in some Christian denominations, also an Advent Cross.

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 ‘cross of athletics’ and ‘voided’)

Notes
a) Unless referring to a plain cross, this term is always accompanied by a further description, for example "a cross pattée voided".
b) This term is sometimes (incorrectly used to describe a Cross of the Order of the Knights of Christ as illustrated below – see ‘Cross of the Order of the Knights of Christ’.

A banner of the Order of the Knights of Christ (fotw)

The heraldic term for a cross that does not usually 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; Arms and Flag of Vila de Ala, Portugal (Antonio Martins)

Notes
1) Unless referring to a plain cross, this term should always accompanied by a further description, for example a “Latin cross treflee” as illustrated below.

Arms and Flag of Negoslavci, Croatia (fotw)

2) In vexillological terms a Latin cross throughout becomes an off-centred cross – see ‘off-centred cross 2)’ (also ‘throughout’).

Flag of Thunstetten, Switzerland (fotw)