Austrian halberd

fernando · 27th February 2023, 01:44 PM

Yes, looks like this cross already existed as an heraldic symbol, before it has been connoted with Saint Andrew's episode. It is said that this Apostle, assuming not to be worthy of being crucified in the same way as Jesus, requested a different cross to be used, the so called Crux decussata, one being then named after him. Until up to the XVIII century a cross of such form was used for torture and lethal purposes. In 1759 a mass execution took place in Portugal, in order to extinguish two powerful noble families, accused of regicid attempt. Among the various means used to torture and kill the accused, this cross (we call it 'aspa') was used to bind the senior Duke, in order to smash his bones until he died.
Whether this cross, when decorated in halberds, represents an heraldic or a sacrifice symbol ... go figure.

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27th February 2023, 01:44 PM	#12
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Yes, looks like this cross already existed as an heraldic symbol, before it has been connoted with Saint Andrew's episode. It is said that this Apostle, assuming not to be worthy of being crucified in the same way as Jesus, requested a different cross to be used, the so called Crux decussata, one being then named after him. Until up to the XVIII century a cross of such form was used for torture and lethal purposes. In 1759 a mass execution took place in Portugal, in order to extinguish two powerful noble families, accused of regicid attempt. Among the various means used to torture and kill the accused, this cross (we call it 'aspa') was used to bind the senior Duke, in order to smash his bones until he died. Whether this cross, when decorated in halberds, represents an heraldic or a sacrifice symbol ... go figure. . Attached Images