Cross couped (Period)

The “cross couped”, technically speaking, is simply a cross with its ends cut, so that it is not throughout; but it’s conventionally rendered with arms of equal length (cf. the discussion on the cross humetty).  The usage is found as early as c.1255, in the arms of Sarren [ANA2 349].  The cross couped in the illustration, with arms as wide as they are long, may also be called a “Greek cross”.  Note that the use of a red cross couped on a white background, by itself or in combination with other motifs, has been restricted due to its use as the symbol of the International Red Cross, which is protected by mundane international law.

Edward FitzRanulf bears:  Quarterly Or and gules, four crosses couped counterchanged.

Brant Marcksson bears:  Per bend sinister argent and vair, in dexter chief a cross couped vert.