Cross of Order of Christ

The Cross of the Order of Christ (Portuguese: Cruz da Ordem de Cristo), also known as the Cross of Christ (Cruz de Cristo) or the Portuguese Cross (Cruz Portuguesa), is a cross symbol of Portugal, originating in the Portuguese Order of Christ, founded in 1319. During the time of Prince Henry the Navigator, the cross came to be associated with the Portuguese discoveries and the Portuguese Empire. The cross can be considered a variant of the cross pattée or the cross potent.

History

Replica of a Portuguese caravel used during the Portuguese discoveries

As the Order of Christ, led by Prince Henry, the Navigator, was a leading developer of the Portuguese Discoveries, the Cross of Christ was used on the sails of the Portuguese caravels, carracks and other ships involved in the exploration of the seas. Because of this, the emblem was forever associated with the Portuguese discoveries, making it one of the main symbols of the discoveries and of the Portuguese Empire.

After, Manuel, duke of Beja and governor of the Order of Christ, having become King of Portugal, the Cross of Christ came to be regarded and used as a national emblem of Portugal. It has since become a generic Portuguese and, later, Brazilian emblem. After Pedro declared the independence of Brazil, and became Emperor of Brazil, the Cross of Christ was also present in the coat of arms and flag of the former Empire of Brazil.

Since 1789, the Cross of Christ is depicted on the Sash of the Three Orders.

It was also the symbol of the Movimento Nacional-Sindicalista, a Portuguese political movement of the early 1930s.

Usage

Crosses of the Order of Christ at the Monastery of Batalha

Today, the Cross of Christ is present in many flags and emblems of Portugal and Brazil. Examples are the flags of the city of São Paulo and the Portuguese Autonomous Region of Madeira, the coat of arms of several Portuguese and Brazilian cities and municipalities, the badges of the Portuguese and Brazil national football teams and the roundels of the Portuguese Air Force aircraft.

Gallery

Manueline balcony of Belém Tower

Contemporary examples

N.R.P Sagres, Portuguese Navy

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  Roundel of the Portuguese Air Force
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  Coat of arms of the Sintra Air Base
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  Flag of São Paulo, Brazil
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  Flag of the Region of Madeira, Portugal
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  Flag of the Chief-of-Staff of the Portuguese Navy
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  Flag of Cananéia, Brazil
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  Flag of Capim, Brazil
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  Coat of arms of the 4th Aviation Battalion of the Brazilian Army
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  Coat of arms of the Public Security Police of Madeira, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of the Lisbon Geographic Society
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  Coat of arms of Porto Alegre, Brazil
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  Coat of arms of Alterosa, Brazil
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  Coat of arms of Batatais, Brazil
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  Coat of arms of Florianópolis, Brazil
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  Coat of arms of Joinville, Brazil
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  Coat of arms of the Azores, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Ferreira do Zêzere, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Guetim, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Mogadouro, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Paio Mendes, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Paradela, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Penafiel, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Pombal, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Tomar, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Vila de Rei, Portugal
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  Coat of arms of Vila do Bispo, Portugal

See also

• Portuguese heraldry
  • Coat of arms of Portugal
  • Armorial of Portuguese colonies
• Portuguese vexillology
  • List of Portuguese flags
• Brazilian heraldry

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Order of Christ cross.

• Christ Knights' Order (Portugal) Flags of the World