Cross of the Order of Christ

Form

A red Latin cross pattée, edged in gold and charged with an inner white Latin cross.

When it is documented

The order was created in Portugal in 1319 to receive Templar property (per the order’s Atlas entry).

Context

The order was later a patron of overseas voyages (per the order’s Atlas entry). The drawing follows the modern Portuguese insignia description; it does not date every detail to the order’s foundation.

Links in the Atlas

• Emblem of Order of Christ (Order)

  The historic sign of the order.

Sources and how they were checked

• Form and use by the order.

  Atlas order entry (editorial draft): Order of Christ — image caption · Atlas editorial text; no outside source re-checked in rc.4

• Latin proportions, a white Latin inlay and the documented gold edge. Original Atlas geometric drawing from the official insignia description. Basis: https://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=121 and https://www.ordens.presidencia.pt/?idc=163&idi=7070. Latin red cross, white Latin inlay and gold edge. Atlas adaptation released under CC BY-SA 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. This adaptation is CC BY-SA 3.0. Reference geometry is an artistic exemplar, not proof of an earliest historical date.

  Original Atlas geometric drawing from the official insignia description — visual reference and artwork credit · checked 2026-10-23 (reference artwork inspected; visual form, not proof of earliest historical use)

• Supports the cross form, colour and, for the Portuguese insignia, the gold edge.

  Official heraldic or insignia description · checked 2026-10-23 (official description; not a dated visual facsimile)

Not yet known or sourced

• The earliest use of this exact drawing geometry is not established by the modern insignia description.