The Cross of Lorraine is a heraldic cross. The "double cross" consists of a vertical line crossed by two smaller horizontal bars. The lower bar is as close to the bottom of the vertical as the upper is to the top. In the ancient version, both bars were of the same length. In 20th century use it is displayed as "graded", where the lower bar is longer than the upper, thus resembling a patriarchal cross, the crossbars of which, however, are both near the top.
The Cross of Lorraine is part is part of the heraldic arms of Lorraine in Eastern France. It was originally held to be a symbol of Joan of Arc, renowned for her perserverance against foreign invaders of France. The Lorraine Cross was carried to the Crusades by the original Knights Templar, granted to them for their use by the Patriarch of Jerusalem.