Occitan Cross knife

The Occitan Cross has four same length branches and is different from the Latin cross which symbolises the crucifixion of Jesus and of certain martyrs.

Nowadays, this cross federates all at once the identities of Gascony, Languedoc and Occitania.

According to Bertrand de la Farge, the Occitan cross could be a combination of a trefoil cross of Coptic origin (the Saint Maurice cross or bottony cross) and a Byzantine cross.

It  appears on the seal of the counts of Toulouse around 1200 and figures on the city arms. Numerous historians have pointed out how this cross appeared first in Provence, so it is justly referred to as the cross of the counts of Provence or Arles cross.

With the Actiforge knife bearing the Occitan cross, you will carry the symbol of Occitania.

The shell is obtained by cold forging. A concave die is engraved and used to hammer the cross into the cold metal. It is then de-burred, polished and inserted into the knife handle.

The Occitan Cross is a blazoned cross:

-  a cléchée (the branches flare out in the shape of an old-fashioned key) and voided (hollowed so the background is visible through its branches) cross,

-  a 12 piece pommetty cross (Each point carries a golden sphere or "pommette"). The total of twelve symbolised the number of the Apostles.

According to certain historians, it was also a rallying sign for the Cathars when, in 1209, Pope Innocent III attempted to eradicate catharism by launching the Albigensian Crusade, a crusade which lasted 20 years.

Selon certains historiens, elle fut aussi un signe de ralliement pour les cathares lorsque en 1209 le pape Innocent III voulu éradiquer le catharisme par la croisade contre les Albigeois. Cette croisade dura 20 ans.