There are thirteen patterns on this page.
Introduction to Crosses
This site does not intend to subscribe to any one faith or religion. The abundance of Christian crosses represented on the site is due only to the fact that the Latin cross is one of the easiest crosses to draw within the limits set forth by braille.
The Ankh cross is really an Egyptian hieroglyph. Don’t be surprised if you visit this site in the future and there is a whole section on hieroglyphs.
I found the blog “different-types-of-crosses-and-their-meanings” while looking for a picture of a cross. This site has pictures of thirty crosses as part of this blog. They then continue to describe various crosses. They did not however, describe all of the thirty of which they have pictures and added some without pictures. I picked out the easy ones and looked for some fun facts on others. The Ankh cross has the complete source code for this site should you care to learn more.
I also found a site called ancient-symbols.com. They have over two hundred symbols listed on the web site. Exploration of this site could lead to many more drawings in the future. The Papal cross has the complete source code for this site should you care to learn more.
The third site I visited was called drawn by his light. They had a very nice written description of the Latin Cross and designs based on it. Again, I picked out the easy ones and looked for some fun facts on each. It is frustrating in a way to look at a simple cross such as the Passion Cross and know that you cannot draw the points on the end of each arm and have anything the resembles the actual cross.
Under the Greek Cross and designs based on it paragraph you will find the Cross Crosslet. This cross has the complete source code for this site should you care to learn more.
Other crosses, such as the Maltese cross are just to intricate to attempt.
Should you have a particular cross you would like us to attempt, please fill free to contact us as we are willing to try different things.
If you would like an MS Word copy of any cross,
Ankh Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 11 rows, 12 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 5 times, dot 6, GG [2356], dot 3.
Row 2: space 4 times, dots 3456, B [12], space 1 time, dots 45, V [1236].
Row 3: space 3 times, dots 456, L [123], space 3 times, dots 456, L [123].
Row 4: space 3 times, dot 4, OF [12356], space 3 times, WITH [23456], A [1].
Row 5: space 4 times, dot 4, OF [12356], space 1 time, WITH [23456], A [1].
Row 6: space 1 time, G [1245] five times, full cell, G [1245] five times.
Row 7: space 6 times, full cell.
Row 8: space 6 times, full cell.
Row 9: space 6 times, full cell.
Row 10: space 6 times, full cell.
Row 11: space 6 times, full cell.
End Design.
Fun Facts: This is the Egyptian hieroglyph known as the anch or ankh and is a cross with a loop on top. According to the blog titled different-types-of-crosses-and-their-meanings on www.faruzo.com, this cross was used to symbolize life in many writings and depictions throughout Egyptian literature. Most pictures have the loop approximately 75% as large as the bottom stake with the total length of the cross arms just smaller than bottom stake. All the drawings depict the outer ends of the cross arms twice as wide as the center, which is impossible to draw in braille. This holds true for the bottom stake as well.
Wikipedia puts it much simpler as:
The ankh or key of life is used in Egyptian art and writing to represent the word for “life” and, by extension, as a symbol of life itself.
Archbishop Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 9 rows, 24 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 7 times, full cell, space 12 times, dots 456, L [123].
Row 2: space 5 times, GG [2356] two times, full cell, GG [2356] two times, space 8 times, AND [12346], X [1346], Y [13456], AND [12346], X [1346], Y [13456].
Row 3: space 7 times, full cell, space 12 times, dots 456, L [123].
Row 4: space 3 times, G [1245] four times, full cell, G [1245] four times, space 4 times, AND [12346], X [1346] three times, Y [13456], AND [12346], X [1346] three times, Y [13456].
Row 5: space 7 times, full cell, space 12 times, dots 456, L [123].
Row 6: space 7 times, full cell, space 12 times, dots 456, L [123].
Row 7: space 7 times, full cell, space 12 times, dots 456, L [123].
Row 8: space 7 times, full cell, space 12 times, dots 456, L [123].
Row 9: space 7 times, full cell, space 12 times, dots 456, L [123].
End Design.
Fun Facts: According to Wikipedia, an archiepiscopal cross (archbishop’s cross) is a two-barred cross used by or to signify or dignify an archbishop. Similar to the patriarchal cross, it is typically made like a staff with the two barred cross up top and a very long downwards extending arm.
From the web site www.ancient-symbols.com: The Papal Cross is distinct from the Archiepiscopal Cross, which is a two-barred cross and is used to signify an archbishop. It is also not to be confused with the Cross of Lorraine that comprises of two horizontal bars, evenly spaced on a vertical bar. This is a heraldic cross that was granted to the original Knights Templar and carried by them to the Crusades. Relative to the Catholic Church, this equal-armed Cross Lorraine represents the office of the Cardinal.
Budded Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 15 rows, 18 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 8 times, IN [35], colon [25], EN [26].
Row 2: space 6 times, dot 6, I [24], A [1], space 1 time, dot 4, E [15], dot 3.
Row 3: space 6 times, dot 4, EN [26], dot 3, space 1 time, dot 6, IN [35], A [1].
Row 4: space 4 times, hyphen [36], space 3 times, L [123], space 1 time, dots 456, space 3 times, hyphen [36].
Row 5: space 2 times, hyphen [36], S [234], space 1 time, WH [156], hyphen [36] two times, L [123], space 1 time. Dots 456, hyphen [36] two times, S [234], space 1 time, WH [156], hyphen [36].
Row 6: space 1 time, OW [246], space 15 times, O [135].
Row 7: space 2 times, C [14], GH [126], space 1 time, AR [345], C [14] two times, L [123], space 1 time, dots 456, C [14] two times, GH [126], space 1 time, AR [345], C [14].
Row 8: space 4 times, C [14], space 3 times, L [123], space 1 time, dots 456, space 3 times, C [14].
Row 9: space 8 times, L [123], space 1 time, dots 456.
Row 10: space 8 times, L [123], space 1 time, dots 456.
Row 11: space 8 times, L [123], space 1 time, dots 456.
Row 12: space 8 times, L [123], space 1 time, dots 456.
Row 13: space 6 times, dot 3, I [24], A [1], space 1 time, dot 4, E [15], dot 3.
Row 14: space 6 times, dot 4, EN [26], dot 3, space 1 time, dot 6, IN [35], A [1].
Row 15: space 8 times, E [15], hyphen [36], I [24].
End Design.
Fun Facts: According to the blog titled different-types-of-crosses-and-their-meanings on www.faruzo.com, Trilobed terminals on a cross are typical of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the lobes are meant to represent the Trinity – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Budded Cross, also known as the Apostles’ Cross, the Treflée, Botonée or Cathedral Cross is a stylized cross, common in heraldry as well as Christian iconography. When the ends of the cross arms contain 3 buds, we are reminded of the teachings in 1 Cor. 13: “Faith, Hope, Love; The greatest of these is love.”
According to the site drawnbyhislight.com, the buds on the arms of this cross bring to mind a flower that hasn’t bloomed yet. Likewise, the Budded Cross represents an immature Christian — that is, someone new to the Faith. They still need to learn more about their faith and build a foundation for themselves.
Calvary Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 12 rows, 14 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 2: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 3: space 3 times, GG [2356] four times, full cell, GG [2356] four times.
Row 4: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 5: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 6: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 7: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 8: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 9: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 10: space 5 times, dots 456, full cell 3 times, L [123].
Row 11: space 4 times, full cell 7 times.
Row 12: space 2 times, dots 456, full cell 9 times, L [123].
End Design.
Fun Facts: Known also as the Golgotha Cross, according to the site drawnbyhislight.com, sometimes called the Graded Cross, this design shows a Latin Cross raised on a pedestal made from three steps. The name of this symbol comes from Calvary, another name for Golgotha, the place outside of Jerusalem where Christ was crucified. Traditionally, each of the three steps represents one of the qualities mentioned in 1st Corinthians, chapter 13. These are faith, hope and love.
Crosslet Cross
By: Richard Hinkle
Design is 9 rows, 14 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 2: space 6 times, full cell 3 times.
Row 3: Space 7 times, full cell.
Row 4: space 2 times, full cell, space 4 times, full cell, space 4 times, full cell.
Row 5: space 1 time, full cell 13 times.
Row 6: space 2 times, full cell, space 4 times, full cell, space 4 times, full cell.
Row 7: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 8: space 6 times, full cell 3 times.
Row 9: space 7 times, full cell.
End Design.
Fun Facts: According to drawnbyhislight.com:
Realistically, it is supposed to be a combination of four Latin Crosses with each cross facing a different cardinal direction. This is meant to symbolize spreading Christianity to all four corners of the world. For example, this might be used to indicate missionary work.
Note: the variation on this design is known as the Cross Fitchee. Crusaders replaced the bottom cross with a pointed spike. Designs like this were popular with the Crusaders as the pointed end allowed them to plant a cross anywhere they wanted for a quick prayer or devotion.
Gamma Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 8 rows, 14 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 6 times, L [123]two times.
Row 2: space 6 times, L [123] two times.
Row 3: space 6 times, L [123] two times.
Row 4: hyphen [36] six times, L [123], dots 1236, hyphen [36] five times, dot 3.
Row 5: C [14] six times, L [123], P [1234], C [14] five times, A [1].
Row 6: space 6 times, L [123]two times.
Row 7: space 6 times, L [123]two times.
Row 8: space 6 times, L [123] two times.
End Design.
Fun Facts: This cross is drawn with a distinct gap between the four corners. According to the site seiyaku.com, The Gammadion Cross is formed by group of four Greek letter gamma (Γ), the capitalized third letter of the Greek alphabet.
In a Christian context, ‘three’ is a reminder of the Trinity, and each ’gamma’ represents one of the four Evangelists, radiating from the central Greek Cross, which represents Christ.
The cross drawn is a Voided Cross and similar to the relatively recent Chugsta Cross..
Alternative names include Gamma Cross and Gammata Cross.
Latin Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 10 rows, 11 cells.
Note:
Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 5 times, full cell.
Row 2: space 5 times, full cell.
Row 3: space 1 time, GG [2356] four times, full cell, GG [2356] four times.
Row 4: space 5 times, full cell.
Row 5: space 5 times, full cell.
Row 6: space 5 times, full cell.
Row 7: space 5 times, full cell.
Row 8: space 5 times, full cell.
Row 9: space 5 times, full cell.
Row 10: space 5 times, full cell.
End Design.
Fun Facts:
According to the blog titled different-types-of-crosses-and-their-meanings, the Latin cross is by far the most famous cross, and is also known as the crucifix. It symbolized the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and symbolized the belief of Christian religions across the world. In particular, it showcases the passion of Christ and his death on the Cross. The defining feature of this Cross is its more extended arm at the bottom.
Most pictures have the bottom arm approximately 2 ½ times as large as the top arm with each of the cross arms maybe 10% longer than the top arm.
The Upside-down Cross is a unique cross that also has ties to Christianity. The Cross symbolizes the martyrdom of Peter the Apostle, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples. Peter wished to be crucified upside-down, as he found himself unworthy of being crucified in the same manner as Jesus.
The Upside-down Cross is just that – a Latin Cross turned upside-down.
To Draw this cross, make row 3 the same as row 2 and change row 8 to the following:
“row 8: space 1 time, G [1245] four times, full cell, G [1245] four times.
The Passion Cross is another slight variation. Also known as the Pointed Cross, Cross of Suffering and the Cross of Agony, this design reflect Jesus’ suffering during the Passion. Symbols that relate to the Passion often incorporate this cross somewhere. This cross is pointed on the ends of each of the four arms. Unfortunately, the current drawing does not lend itself to points at only two dots wide.
Lorraine Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 8 rows, 15 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 2: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 3: space 3 times, GG [2356] four times, full cell, GG [2356] four times.
Row 4: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 5: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 6: space 3 times, GG [2356] four times, full cell, GG [2356] four times.
Row 7: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 8: space 7 times, full cell.
End Design.
Fun Facts:
According to ancient-symbols.com, the Archiepiscopal Cross is a two-barred cross and is used to signify an archbishop. It is not to be confused with the Cross of Lorraine that is made of two horizontal bars, evenly spaced on a vertical bar. This is a heraldic cross that was granted to the original Knights Templar and carried by them to the Crusades. Relative to the Catholic Church, this equal-armed Cross of Lorraine represents the office of the Cardinal.
Methodist Cross, Large
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 21 rows, 20 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 10 times, dots 456.
Row 2: space 9 times, dot 6, full cell, space 1 time, WITH [23456].
Row 3: space 8 times, dot 6, full cell 2 times, space 1 time, full cell.
Row 4: space 7 times, WAS [356], full cell 3 times, space 1 time, full cell.
Row 5: space 5 times, WAS [356], full cell 5 times, space 1 time, full cell.
Row 6: space 4 times, WITH [23456], G [1245] six times, full cell.
Row 7: space 1 time, L [123], space 1 time, WITH [23456], L [123], J [245], G [1245] six times, full cell, G [1245] six times, F [124].
Row 8: space 1 time, L [123], dots 456, full cell 6 times, F [124], space 2 times, full cell.
Row 9: space 1 time, L [123], dots 456, full cell 4 times, F [124], space 4 times, full cell.
Row 10: space 1 time, L [123], dots 456, full cell 3 times, A [1], space 5 times, full cell.
Row 11: space 1 time, full cell, space 1 time, ER [12456], full cell, L [123], space 6 times, full cell.
Row 12: space 1 time, full cell 2 times, HIS [236], TH [1456], OF [12356], space 6 times, full cell.
Row 13: space 1 time, OF [12356], full cell 2 times, HIS [236], OF [12356], ST [34], ER [12456], HIS [236], space 4 times, full cell.
Row 14: space 1 time, dots 45, full cell 5 times, GG [2356], ING [346], EN [26], space 2 times, full cell.
Row 15: space 2 times, ER [12456], full cell 7 times, OF [12356], space 1 time, full cell.
Row 16: space 3 times, ER [12456], full cell 7 times, space 1 time, full cell.
Row 17: space 5 times, D [145], G [1245], full cell 4 times, space 1 time, full cell.
Row 18: space 9 times, D [145], full cell, space 1 time, full cell.
Row 19: space 10 times, dots 456, space 1 time, full cell.
Row 20: space 10 times, dots 456, space 1 time, F [124].
Row 21: space 10 times, dots 45.
End Design.
Fun Facts:
Wikipedia states that The cross and flame is the official symbol of the United Methodist Church since 1968.
The United Methodist Church website further details the history as follows: Following more than two dozen conceptualizations, a traditional symbol—the cross—was linked with a single flame with dual tongues of fire. The resulting insignia is rich in meaning. It relates The United Methodist church to God through Christ (cross) and the Holy Spirit (flame). The flame is a reminder of Pentecost when witnesses were unified by the power of the Holy Spirit and saw “tongues, as of fire” (Acts 2:3).
Methodist Cross, Small
By: Richard Hinkle
Design is 9 rows, 10 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 4 times, dot 6, L [123], WAS [356].
Row 2: space 3 times, WAS [356], full cell, L [123], full cell.
Row 3: space 1 time, WAS [356], L [123], GG [2356] 3 times, full cell, GG [2356] 3 times.
Row 4: space 1 time, TH [1456], OF [12356], GG [2356], dots 23, space 1 time, full cell.
Row 5: space 1 time, V [1236], ER [12456], P [1234], space 2 times, full cell.
Row 6: space 1 time, full cell, HIS [236], ER [12456], HIS [236], space 1 time, full cell.
Row 7: D [145], full cell 3 times, OF [12356], full cell.
Row 8: space 3 times, C [14], ER [12456], full cell 2 times.
Row 9: space 5 times, TH [1456], F [124].
End design.
Fun fact:
Methodists, like many other Christian groups, often wear small cross necklaces as a reminder of commitments made before God. These symbols are often given as gifts at Baptisms and Confirmations.
Order of Christ Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 9 rows, 15 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 4 times, dot 4, ER [12456], full cell 4 times, Q [12345], A [1].
Row 2: space 5 times, full cell, C [14] two times, full cell.
Row 3: HIS [236], space 4 times, full cell, space 2 times, full cell, space 4 times, WAS [356].
Row 4: space 1 time, full cell, OF [12356], GG [2356] three times, full cell, space 2 times, full cell, GG [2356] three times, WITH [23456], full cell.
Row 5: space 1 time, full cell 2 times, space 10 times, full cell 2 times.
Row 6: space 1 time, full cell, Q [12345], G [1245] three times, full cell, space 2 times, full cell, G [1245] three times, ER [12456], full cell.
Row 7: F [124], space 4 times, full cell, space 2 times, full cell, space 4 times, D [145].
Row 8: space 5 times, full cell, hyphen [36] two times, full cell.
Row 9: space 4 times, dot 6, WITH [23456], full cell 4 times, Q [12345], dot 3.
End Design.
Fun Facts:
According to Wikipedia, The Order of Christ Cross (Portuguese: Cruz da Ordem de Cristo), also known as the Cross of Portugal (Cruz de Portugal) 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: As the Order of Christ, led by Prince Henry, the Navigator, was a leading developer of the Portuguese Discoveries, the Christ Cross 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 Overseas 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.
Current Usage: 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.
Orthodox Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 11 rows, 15 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 2: space 5 times, G [1245] two times, full cell, G [1245] two times.
Row 3: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 4: space 2 times, G [1245] five times, full cell, G [1245] five times.
Row 5: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 6: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 7: space 5 times, HIS [236], space 1 time, full cell.
Row 8: space 6 times, G [1245], full cell.
Row 9: space 7 times, full cell, GG [2356].
Row 10: space 7 times, full cell, space 1 time, D [145].
Row 11: space 7 times, full cell.
End Design.
Fun Facts:
According to the blog titled different-types-of-crosses-and-their-meanings, The Cross itself symbolizes the crucifixion the same way that the Latin cross does, but it contains a few more details. For example, the slanted line at the bottom represents the thieves that were crucified beside Jesus during crucifixion.
This cross is also known as the eastern Orthodox Cross, and in the Eastern church, it’s commonly believed that Christ was crucified with His feet side by side rather than on top of each other. Thus this design of the cross also includes a footrest. As is often the case, the smaller crossbar on top represents the inscription that was placed over Jesus’ head.
Papal Cross
By Richard Hinkle
Design is 9 rows, 14 cells.
Note: Full size picture is the last full page of this document.
Begin design:
Row 1: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 2: space 5 times, G [1245] two times, full cell, G [1245] two times.
Row 3: space 3 times, G [1245] four times, full cell, G [1245] four times.
Row 4: space 1 time, G [1245] six times, full cell, G [1245] six times.
Row 5: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 6: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 7: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 8: space 7 times, full cell.
Row 9: space 7 times, full cell.
End Design.
Fun Facts:
According to Wikipedia, the papal cross is a Christian cross, which serves as an emblem for the office of the Pope in ecclesiastical heraldry. It is depicted as a staff with three horizontal bars near the top, in diminishing order of length as the top is reached.
The three bars of the Papal Cross are generally considered to represent the Trinity.
