Maltese Cross Meaning In The Fire Service

They were later said to be awarded a badge of honor similar to the maltese cross.

Maltese cross meaning in the fire service. The story is that these knights had a cross on their tunics and that the saracens used fire as a weapon against them. The answer isn t simple and neither is the history. What does the maltese cross represent. The maltese cross is the very familiar red center circle with four shapes emanating from the center.

The original meaning of the eight points of the maltese cross was the beatitudes as given by the lord jesus christ in the fifth chapter of the gospel of matthew 1 the working of these eight. Combined with their abilities to fight fires and the pride and honor they took in their work the maltese cross seems a fitting symbol of the modern fire service. While the symbolism of these eight knightly virtues hasn t changed over the years their working has. There are eight points on the maltese cross each point symbolizing one the beatitudes given by jesus christ.

One can easily find a hundred web sites that will tell you that the symbol of the fire service comes from the knights of malta and their battles with ottoman pirates or the saracens. During the crusades many knights became fire fighters out of necessity. The maltese cross like we ve established symbolized a special breed. Firefighting is a proud profession and only a symbol of pride would exemplify the work of a firefighter.

The history of the maltese cross by mica calfee. It means that the fire fighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their. But there is. Their enemies had resorted to throwing glass bombs containing naphtha and sailing their war vessels contain naphtha rosin sulphur and flaming oil into the vessels of the knights.

When fire was used against the knights of st. All of this is true. Many people ask us what the connection is between the fire service and that maltese cross. The cross was later called the maltese cross and represented the principles of charity loyalty chivalry gallantry generosity to friend and foe protection of the weak and dexterity in service.

Fast forward to today the time honored maltese cross is being worn by the men and women of the fire service as a badge of honor on their uniforms all across the country. The maltese cross is our symbol of protection. There were many of these knights who risked their lives to save their comrades or structures from the fires. Many knights were called to perform.

The cross is a modified maltese cross called a st. John in a battle on the island of malta they banded together to fight the flames and rescue the injured. It honors florian who organized firefighting units in the roman legions. John were also known for their care of the sick and injured.

The maltese cross is an eight point symbol which originated during the crusades.