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 Safiental, Switzerland (fotw); Flag of Studnice, Czechia (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-canton�e� 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 �dena, 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�).

Example, Flag of Ann�ullin, 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 (S�rgio 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 form�e, form� or formy, a patt�e, pat�e, patty or Paty cross, a form�e, form� 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 patt�e 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 Budin�cina, 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)