Largely because of their extensive use during the Crusades, crosses play a major role in heraldry. There are nearly four hundred varieties known to have been used. However, there are only 20 or so forms that occur widely. Beyond geometrical concenience, there can be no doubt that the heraldic cross was intended to represent the Sarced Cross. But with the contemporary shortening of the shields, the shape of the cross changed as well. Gradually it morphed into one that's dimensions were nearly equal in length and width.

cross couped or humetty	passion cross	patriarchal cross		crucifix	Calvary cross
pointed cross	cross clechée	cross quatrate		cross crosslet	cross crosslet fitched
cross fleuretté	cross flory	cross patonce		cross botonny	cross moline
cross patée (or formée)	cross patée fitched	cross patée fitched at foot		cross patée quadrate	Maltese cross
cross pommé	cross potent		cross potent rebated (a.k.a. fylfot)		cross tau
cross parted and fretty	cross voided		cross fimbriated or bordured		cross quarter-pierced