In heraldry, a

cross A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two intersecting lines or bars, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of the Latin letter X, is termed a sa ...

(or other ordinary) cleché, or clechée, flares out at the ends in a shape resembling the bow of an old-fashioned key ( French ''clé''). An example is the

Occitan Cross The Occitan cross (also called ''cross of Occitania'', ''cross of Languedoc'', ''cross of Toulouse''; heraldically ''cross cleché, pommetty and voided'') is a heraldic cross, today chiefly used as a symbol of Occitania. The design was probably ...

in the

coat of arms A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the latter two being outer garments). The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement, which in its ...

of the

counts of Toulouse The count of Toulouse ( oc, comte de Tolosa, french: comte de Toulouse) was the ruler of Toulouse during the 8th to 13th centuries. Originating as vassals of the Frankish kings, the hereditary counts ruled the city of Toulouse and its surroundin ...

: '' Gules, a cross cléchée, pommetty and voided Or''. (Because this Occitan Cross is also ''voided'' (hollow), some writersPimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry
/ref> have mistakenly taken the term ''cléché'' to be a synonym of ''voided'' or to include voiding as a defining feature.)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cleche Crosses in heraldry

See also

References