Yellow Gold Openwork Occitan Cross

Emanessence presents this stunning Occitan cross in 750/1000 Yellow Gold (18K). Also available in 375/1000 Yellow Gold (9K).

This cross measures 22 x 24 mm without the bail and 22 x 28 mm with the bail. We selected this lightweight "flat" design for its outstanding value-to-size ratio: despite its modest gold weight, the piece has the visual presence of a full 22 mm pendant.

The Occitan cross (crotz occitana), also known as the Cross of Languedoc, is a type of cross that serves as the emblem of Occitania. It features four branches of equal length and bears little resemblance to the Latin cross, which symbolizes the crucifixion of Jesus and certain martyrs.

In Heraldry, it is blazoned as a cross clechée (branches shaped like the bit of a key), voided (the field is visible through its branches), and pommetty of twelve pieces (each point is tipped with a "small apple" called a "pomette"). Its tincture is Or (yellow) on a field of Gules (red). As a symbol, there is no shortage of interpretations: the twelve pomettes could represent the Twelve Apostles - themselves twelve in reference to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, which in turn may correspond to the twelve signs of the Zodiac, and so on.

"Many historians today suggest this cross first appeared in Provence - in Venasque in the 12th century according to Henri Rolland, and in the circle of the Viscounts of Marseille as early as the 11th century according to Antoine de Rufi - and possibly with Guilhem I of Provence, known as Guilhem the Liberator, who defeated the Saracens at La Garde-Freinet in 972.

This cross weighs an average of 0.95 grams in 750/1000 Yellow Gold (18K) and 0.70 grams in 375/1000 Yellow Gold (9K)."

PLEASE NOTE: Due to its openwork design, engraving is not available for this product.