Occitan cross

It can also be found in the emblems of Midi-Pyrénées, Languedoc-Roussillon (now both part of the administrative region of Occitania, which also features the cross in its symbols) and Hautes-Alpes, among many others, as well as in cemeteries and at country crossroads.

In 1950, Henri Rolland suggested that the origin of the Occitan cross be traced back to the marquisate of Provence, north of the Durance, more precisely the town of Venasque.

Camboulives in 1980 again emphasizes the role played by the Visigoths in the presence of small spheres at the end of the arms of the cross: they could represent the twelve houses of the zodiac.

[citation needed] In 1986, Jean-Yves Royer (in Le Pays de Forcalquier) claims that the cross was originally from Provence but admits that Henri Rolland's theory was flawed and built around wrong dates.

In 2000, Laurent Macé (in Les Comtes de Toulouse et leur entourage) claims that the Occitan cross became the counts' emblem after Raymond IV took part in the First Crusade.

Coat of arms of the counts of Toulouse as of the early 16th century.
12th century division of Provence into the county of Provence , county of Forcalquier and marquisat de Provence .
A demonstration for Occitania and the Occitan language in Béziers on March 17, 2007
The modern Occitan cross on the flag of Occitania
Plaça del Capitòli , Tolosa ( Place du Capitole, Toulouse )