

Chromed and enamelled Dominican cross. Cross 7 cm
A Dominican cross is a particular type of lily cross in white (sign of purity and chastity) and black (sign of renunciation and penance). It is used within the coat of arms of the order of preachers.
Emblem of the Order of Friars Preachers
The emblem is surmounted by the eight-pointed star - symbol of predestination and personal insignia of Saint Dominic - and is surrounded by a ribbon on which the words Laudare, benedicere, prædicare are printed; the latter was taken from the Marian Preface to be adopted as the motto of the order, in 1656, and was then added to the coat of arms only towards the end of the 19th century, when it took the place of the writing Veritas, which was previously placed above the coat of arms.