Christian cross variants

The Christian cross, with or without a figure of Christ included, is the main religious symbol of Christianity. A cross with a figure of Christ affixed to it is termed a crucifix and the figure is often referred to as the corpus.
The term Greek cross designates a cross with arms of equal length, as in a plus sign, while the Latin cross designates a cross with an elongated descending arm. Numerous other variants have been developed during the medieval period.
Christian crosses are used widely in churches, on top of church buildings, on bibles, in heraldry, in personal jewelry, on hilltops, and elsewhere as an attestation or other symbol of Christianity.
Crosses are a prominent feature of Christian cemeteries, either carved on gravestones or as sculpted stelae. Because of this, planting small crosses is sometimes used in countries of Christian culture to mark the site of fatal accidents, or, such as the Zugspitze or Mount Royal, so as to be visible over the entire surrounding area.
Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran depictions of the cross are often crucifixes, in order to emphasize that it is Jesus that is important, rather than the cross in isolation. Large crucifixes are a prominent feature of some Lutheran churches, e.g. as a rood. However, some other Protestant traditions depict the cross without the corpus, interpreting this form as an indication of belief in the resurrection rather than as representing the interval between the death and the resurrection of Jesus.
Several Christian cross variants are available in computer-displayed text. A Latin cross is included in the extended ASCII character set, and several variants have been added to Unicode, starting with the Latin cross in version 1.1. For others, see Religious and political symbols in Unicode.

Basic forms

Basic variants, or early variants widespread since antiquity.
A total number of 15 variants.

Image	Name	Description
	Latin (or Roman) cross	Cross with a longer descending arm, whereby the top of the upright shaft extends above the transverse beam. It represents the cross of Jesus's crucifixion. In Latin, it was referred to as crux immissa or crux capitata.
	Greek cross	A type of cross with arms of equal length, used as a national symbol of Greece, Switzerland, and Tonga. Along with the Latin cross, it is one of the most common Christian forms, in common use by the 4th century.
	Byzantine cross	Upright cross with outwardly widening ends. It is often seen in relics from the late antique and early medieval Byzantine Empire and was adopted by other Christian cultures of the time, such as the Franks and Goths.
	Patriarchal cross	Also called an archiepiscopal cross or a crux gemina. A double-cross, with the two crossbars near the top. The upper one is shorter, representing the plaque nailed to Jesus's cross. Similar to the Cross of Lorraine, though in the original version of the latter, the bottom arm is lower. The Eastern Orthodox cross adds a slanted bar near the foot.
	Double cross	The Cross of the eight-point cross-stone ceremony.
	Cross of Lorraine	The Cross of Lorraine consists of one vertical and two horizontal bars. The two-barred cross consists of a vertical line crossed by two shorter horizontal bars. In most renditions, the horizontal bars are "graded" with the upper bar being the shorter, though variations with the bars of equal length are also seen.
	Papal cross	A cross with three bars near the top. The bars are of unequal length, each one shorter than the one below.
	Sacred Heart	A depiction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, featuring flames, a crown of thorns, and a Latin Cross.
	Cross of Salem	Also known as a pontifical cross, it is similar to a patriarchal cross, but with an additional crossbar below the main crossbar, equal in length to the upper crossbar.
	Staurogram	The earlier visual image of the cross, already present in New Testament manuscripts as P66, P45 and P75.
	Chi Rho	The Chi Rho is one of the earliest forms of christogram, formed by superimposing the first two letters—chi and rho —of the Greek word ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ in such a way that the vertical stroke of the rho intersects the center of the chi.
	Stepped cross	A cross resting on a base with several steps, also called a graded or a Calvary cross. This symbol first appears on coinage from the time of Byzantine Emperor Heraclius. The three steps represent Faith, Hope and Charity, and are sometimes marked Fides, Spes and Caritas, the Latin forms of these words.
	Jerusalem cross	Also known as the Crusader's Cross. A large cross with a smaller cross in each of its angles. It was used as a symbol of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
	Ringed cross	A cross featuring a ring or nimbus. This type has several variants, including the cruciform halo and the Celtic cross. A cruciform halo is used to represent the persons of the Holy Trinity, especially Jesus, and it was used especially in medieval art.
	Forked cross	A cross in the form of the letter Y that gained popularity in the late 13th or early 14th century in the German Rhineland. Also known as a crucifixus dolorosus, furca, ypsilon cross, Y-cross, thief's cross or robber's cross.

Saints' crosses

Image	Name	Description
	Cross of Saint Peter	A cross with the crossbeam placed near the foot, that is associated with Saint Peter because of the tradition that he was crucified head down. In modern culture, the cross is often also associated with Satanism or anti-Christian sentiment.
	Tau cross	A T-shaped cross. Also called the Saint Anthony's cross, the Saint Francis' cross and crux commissa.
	Saltire or crux decussata	An X-shaped cross associated with St. Andrew, patron of Scotland, and so a national symbol of that country. The shape is that of the cross on which Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred. Also known as St. Andrew's Cross or Andrew Cross.
	Brigid's cross	Bride's cross, also known as Brigid's cross or Brighid's cross, these are usually woven of rushes or wheat stalks. They can be Christian or pagan symbols depending on context. They may have three or four arms.
	Saint George's Cross	Sometimes associated with Saint George, the military saint, often depicted as a crusader from the Late Middle Ages, the cross has appeared on many flags, emblems, standards, and coats of arms. Its first documented use was as the ensign of the Republic of Genoa, whereafter it was used successively by the crusaders. Notable uses are on the Flag of England and the Georgian flag.
	Anchored cross	A stylized cross in the shape of an anchor. A varied symbol, the mariner's cross is also referred to as the cross of Saint Clement in reference to the way he was martyred, or the cross of Hope, as a reference to Hebrews 6:19. It traditionally symbolizes security, hope, steadfastness, and composure.
	Pectoral cross of Cuthbert	A relic associated with Cuthbert.
	Cross of Saint Gilbert	A cross is usually shown erect, as it would be when used for crucifixion. The Portate Cross differs in that it is borne diagonally, as it would be when the victim bears the cross-bar over his shoulder as he drags it along the ground to the crucifixion site.
	Cross of Saint James	A red Cross of Saint James with flourished arms, surmounted with an escallop, was the emblem of the twelfth-century Galician and Castillian military Order of Santiago, named after Saint James the Greater.
	Saint Julian Cross	A Cross Crosslet tilted at 45 degrees. It is sometimes referred to as the Missionary Cross.
	Grapevine cross (Saint Nino's cross)	Also known as the cross of Saint Nino of Cappadocia, who Christianised Georgia.
	Saint Thomas cross	The ancient cross used by Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala, India.
	Cross of Saint Philip	A sideways cross associated with Philip the Apostle due to a story of him being crucified sideways.
	Cross of Saint Florian	The cross of Saint Florian, the patron saint of firefighters, is often confused with the Maltese Cross.
	Catherine wheel	Seven Catherines have been granted sainthood. This cross is composed of wagon wheels and is attributed to three saints: Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Saint Jarlath and Saint Quentin.
	Cross of Saint John	A Latin cross with the crossing point, starting initially as wide permanent and widening only at its end to the outside arms. It is not to be confused with the Maltese cross, also known as the St. John's cross. In heraldry, it is a common figure in coat of arms.
	Cross of Saint Chad	The cross is a combination of a Potent Cross and Quadrate Cross, which appears in the arms of the episcopal see of Lichfield & Coventry.
	Cross of Jeremiah	The cross of the prophet Jeremiah, also known as the "Weeping Prophet".
	Cross of Lazarus	A green Maltese cross associated with St. Lazarus.
	Cross of Saint Maurice	A white cross bottony associated with Saint Maurice.
	[Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus\|Cross of Saints Lazarus and Maurice]	A combined cross of Saints Lazarus and Maurice	-

Denominational or regional variants

Image	Name	Description
	Cross of Alcoraz	A red cross surrounded by four moor's heads, used in the coat of arms of Aragon and the flag of Sardinia.
	Cross of the Angels	Symbol of the city of Oviedo and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oviedo. Donated by king Alfonso II of Asturias in 808.
	Armenian cross	Symbol of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and a typical feature of khachkars. Also known as the "Blooming Cross" owing to the trefoil emblems at the ends of each branch. A khachkar is a popular symbol of Armenian Christianity.
	Bolnisi cross	Ancient Georgian cross and national symbol from the 5th century AD.
	Caucasian Albanian cross	Ancient Caucasian Albanian cross and national symbol from the 4th century AD.
	Cross of Burgundy	A saw toothed form of the St. Andrews cross, symbolizing the rough branches he was crucified on. A historic symbol of the Burgundy region, dating back to the 15th century when supporters of the Duke of Burgundy adopted the badge to show allegiance in the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War.
	Byzantine cross-crosslet	A Byzantine cross variant seen on several coins and artifacts of the Late Macedonian, Doukas, and Early Komnenos dynasties of the Byzantine Empire. Combines aspects of the Patriarchal cross, Greek cross, and Calvary cross into a unique variation that may have inspired the later Jerusalem cross.
	Canterbury cross	A cross with four arms of equal length which widen to a hammer shape at the outside ends. Each arm has a triangular panel inscribed in a triquetra pattern. There is a small square panel in the center of the cross. A symbol of the Anglican and Episcopal Churches.
	"Carolingian cross"	Cross of triquetras, called "Carolingian" by Rudolf Koch for its appearance in Carolingian-era art.
	Celtic cross	Essentially a Greek or Latin cross, with a circle enclosing the intersection of the upright and crossbar, as in the standing High crosses.
	Crux Ansata	Shaped like the letter T usually surmounted by a circle. Not to be confused with an Ankh which is usually surmounted by a drop shape. Adopted from the Egyptian Ankh by the Copts and Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.
	Coptic cross	The original Coptic cross has its origin in the Coptic ankh. Many Coptic Christians have the cross tattooed as a sign of faith.
	New Coptic cross	This new Coptic cross is the cross currently used by the Coptic Catholic Church and the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria.
	Lalibela cross	This is one of many variations of Ethiopian crosses and generally made up of latticework, used by Ethiopian Christians and associated with the churches of Lalibela.
	Cossack cross	A type of cross used by Zaporozhian Cossacks and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Frequently used in Ukraine as a memorial sign to fallen soldiers and in military awards.
	East Syrian cross	Church of the East cross.
	Huguenot cross	The cross represents not only the death of Christ but also victory over death and impiety. This is represented also in the Maltese cross. It is boutonné, the eight points symbolising the eight Beatitudes Between the arms of the cross is the stylised fleur-de-lys, each has 3 petals; the total of twelve petals of the fleur-de-lys signify the twelve apostles. Between each fleur-de-lys and the arms of the Maltese cross with which it is joined, an open space in the form of a heart, the symbol of loyalty, suggests the seal of the French Reformer, John Calvin. The pendant dove symbolises the Holy Spirit. In times of persecution a pearl, symbolizing a teardrop, replaced the dove.
	Maltese cross	An eight-pointed cross having the form of four V-shaped elements, each joining the others at its vertex, leaving the other two tips spread outward symmetrically. It is the cross symbol associated with the Order of St. John since the Middle Ages, shared with the traditional Knights Hospitaller and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and by extension with the island of Malta.
	Maronite cross	Cross of the Syriac Maronite Church. Reminiscent of the Papal cross and cross of Lazarus.
	Nestorian cross	In Eastern Christian art found on tombs in China, these crosses are sometimes simplified and depicted as resting on a lotus flower or on a stylized cloud.
	Occitan cross	Based on the counts of Toulouse's traditional coat of arms, it soon became the symbol of Occitania as a whole.
	Cross of Peñalba	Symbol of the region of El Bierzo. Donated by king Ramiro II of Leon in 10th century.	-
	Rose Cross	A cross with a rose blooming at the center. The central symbol to all groups embracing the philosophy of the Rosicrucians.
	Serbian cross	A Greek cross with a C in each of its angles, inspired by the imperial motto of the Palaiologos dynasty, but with the meaning of "Only unity saves the Serbs", generally attributed to Serbian patron saint, St. Sava. A national symbol of Serbia and symbol of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The cross is used on the coat of arms of Serbia and the flag of Serbia.
	Orthodox cross	Also known as the Russian cross, Slavic, Slavonic cross, or Eastern Orthodox, Russian Orthodox cross. A three-barred cross in which the short top bar represents the inscription over Jesus' head, and the lowest short bar, placed near the foot, represents his footrest. This cross existed in a slightly different form in Byzantium, and it was changed and adopted by the Russian Orthodox Church and especially popularized in the East Slavic countries.
	Russian cross	Six-pointed variant of Russian Orthodox cross. Also called the suppedaneum cross, meaning under-foot cross, referring to the bar where Jesus put his feet while crucified.
	Macedonian Cross, also known as Veljusa Cross.	Macedonian Christian symbol.
	Anuradhapura cross	A symbol of Christianity in Sri Lanka.
	Nordic cross/Scandinavian cross	A sideways cross typically used on flags of Scandinavian countries, originally derived from the flag of Denmark.
	West Syrian cross	Syriac Orthodox cross.
	Gion-mamori mon	The mon of the Gion Shrine, depicting two crossed amulets and a horn, adopted by Kakure Kirishitans persecuted under the Tokugawa Shogunate.
	Troll cross	A Christian cross engraved on objects in Scandinavia to ward off evil spirits such as trolls.
	Victory Cross	Symbol of the Principality of Asturias. Donated by king Alfonso III of Asturias in early 10th-century.	-

Non-denominational symbols

Unicode

For use in documents made using a computer, there are Unicode code-points for multiple types of Christian crosses.
There are code points for other crosses in the block Miscellaneous Symbols and Pictographs, mainly variants of the Greek cross, but their usage may be limited by availability of a computer font that can display them.