Cross potent
Encyclopedia
A cross potent, also known as a crutch cross, is a form of heraldic cross
with crossbars or "crutches" at the four ends. In German, it is known as a Krückenkreuz or a Kruckenkreuz. "Potent" is an old word for a crutch, and is used in heraldic terminology to describe a T shape.
The crutch cross is used by many, mostly Roman Catholic, Scouting
and Guiding organisations in their logos and insignia.
It was used as the symbol of the Vaterländische Front, an Austrian Fascist party in the 1930s.
It is currently used in the coats of arms of the Santa Cruz Department
in Bolivia, and of the Wingolfsbund.
In Unicode
, it is represented as the character "", U+2629 CROSS OF JERUSALEM; the name of this Unicode character is a misnomer, since the Cross of Jerusalem itself is a more complex symbol consisting of a large Greek cross or cross potent surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses.
Cross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...
with crossbars or "crutches" at the four ends. In German, it is known as a Krückenkreuz or a Kruckenkreuz. "Potent" is an old word for a crutch, and is used in heraldic terminology to describe a T shape.
The crutch cross is used by many, mostly Roman Catholic, Scouting
Scouting
Scouting, also known as the Scout Movement, is a worldwide youth movement with the stated aim of supporting young people in their physical, mental and spiritual development, that they may play constructive roles in society....
and Guiding organisations in their logos and insignia.
It was used as the symbol of the Vaterländische Front, an Austrian Fascist party in the 1930s.
It is currently used in the coats of arms of the Santa Cruz Department
Santa Cruz Department
Santa Cruz, with an area of 370,621 km², is the largest of the nine constituent departments of Bolivia. In the 2001 census, it reported a population of 2,029,471. The capital is the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The state is one of the wealthiest states in Bolivia with huge reserves of...
in Bolivia, and of the Wingolfsbund.
In Unicode
Unicode
Unicode is a computing industry standard for the consistent encoding, representation and handling of text expressed in most of the world's writing systems...
, it is represented as the character "", U+2629 CROSS OF JERUSALEM; the name of this Unicode character is a misnomer, since the Cross of Jerusalem itself is a more complex symbol consisting of a large Greek cross or cross potent surrounded by four smaller Greek crosses.