Cross pattée: Difference between revisions

The word ''pattée'' is a [[French language|French]] adjective in the feminine form used in its full context as ''la croix pattée'', meaning literally "footed cross", from the noun ''patte'', meaning literally [[foot]], generally that of an [[animal]].<ref>''Larousse Dictionnaire de la Langue Francaise'' Lexis, Paris, 1993, p.1356</ref> The cross has four splayed feet, each akin to the foot, for example, of a [[chalice]] or [[candelabrum]]. In [[German language|German]] it is called ''Tatzenkreuz'' from ''Tatze'', foot, paw. [[James Planché|Planché]] provides a dubious suggestion that the term comes from the Latin verb ''pateo'', to lie open, be spread. He states it to be discernible on the [[Flag|standard]] of [[Stephen of England|King Stephen]] (1135–1154).<ref>[[James Planché|Planché, J.R.]] [https://books.google.com/books?id=SFcBAAAAQAAJ ''The Pursuivant of Arms; or Heraldry Founded upon Facts'']. London, 1859, p.29</ref>