The Holy Lance (also known as the Lance of Longinus, the Lance of Mauritius, or the Spear of Destiny) is the oldest piece of the imperial regalia of the kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. It is said to contain a piece of a nail from the cross of Christ (the Holy Nail). According to legend, the lance belonged to Mauritius, the leader of the Theban Legion, or, according to other sources, to the Roman centurion Longinus, who used it to verify the death of Jesus, which is why it is also said to be soaked with his holy blood.

At times it was the most important piece of the insignia, later it was replaced by the imperial crown. The tip of the lance was kept in a cavity in the crossbeam of the imperial cross. A ruler who possessed this lance was considered invincible. It was a visible sign that his power came from God and that he was the representative of Christ.