Crosses 
Routed or Voided Cross
and introducing the Seiyaku Cross
A Voided Cross shows the outline of the cross only. If the background happens to be white then the image is the same for both the Voided Cross and the White Cross.
Routed or Voided Cross
Closed Voided Cross
Open-ended Voided Cross
Gamma Cross, often confused with Voided Cross
Sterling silver Passion Cross, which is slightly Pattée and rebated with a budded cross
(Click photo to enlarge)
For Christians, the Voided Cross reminds them that Christ rose from death on the cross to proclaim His victory over sin, death, and the Devil. So there is nothing 'void' about a Christian cross.
'Voided Cross' (French: Croix Vidée) is simply a heraldic term for when only the edge of the cross is traced. For example, a cross shape could be incised or carved in a rock or lump of wood.
A Voided Cross can be any shape or form. It could be a cross charged with a smaller cross of the same design, but having the same colour as the background. Only the border of the larger cross is visible. Other terms include Rebated Cross, Recessed Cross, Sunken Cross, Fimbriated1 Cross, Bordered Cross, Clechée Cross and Pierced Cross. (See also the Empty Cross.)
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In heraldry, when the voided part of a cross is just a border within the cross, it is called a Coticed Cross (French: Coticée). Like most heraldic markings, the border has no particular Christian significance. |
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Another example is shown on the left. It's a design we've just made up (hence the name Seiyaku Cross). Despite what you might see, there is no cross there; just an arrangement of some black 1/4 circles, 1/2 circles, 3/4 circles and full circles. |
Some common uses
Embossed Cross on wafer
A Holy Communion wafer often features an Incused Cross or Embossed Cross; another form of Voided Cross.
They also decorate the front panel of church pulpits and at the ends of church pews, giving rise to the terms Pulpit Cross and Pew Cross.
© Sisters of Mercy
© 7th Day Adventists
Artistically, the style suits several emblems. Examples include the emblems of the Seventh Day Adventists and the Sisters of Mercy.
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The Voided Cross is also used for its practical as well as artistic value. The Lorena Cross shown on the left, for example, was spotted on top of a delicate bell tower in Spain. The voided style reduces the risk of the tower crumbling under the weight of a solid iron cross, and since the church is in an elevated position in a mountainous region, the design gives resistance against gusts of wind. |
Voided Cross on gravestone
Protruding Cross on gravestone
Protruding Crosses shaped as a St. Andrew's Cross and a Celtic Cross, baked on some Marks & Spencer Scottish shortbread biscuits. (There were a few more but ... Yummy!)
Voided Crosses are commonly seen on gravestones. It's much easier to carve a cross into a gravestone rather than carve the surrounding stone to create a Protruding Cross.
| 1: | 'Fimbriated' means 'fringed'. See also Flaming Cross. |
