Maltese Cross Fire Meaning

As virtuous men the knights held the values of self esteem holy devotion courage reputation love fearlessness loyalty and humanitarianism above all else.

Maltese cross fire meaning. Maltese cross the symbolic meaning the eight points of the maltese cross meaning are also representative of attributes corresponding with the knights creed. The maltese cross is a cross symbol consisting of four v or arrowhead shaped concave quadrilaterals converging at a central vertex at right angles two tips pointing outward symmetrically. The maltese cross is known around the world as a symbol of the fire service. As for the total of eight points on these four v shaped arms it is believed that they symbolize the eight obligations or aspirations of the knights.

It means that the firefighter that wears it is willing to protect and lay down his own life for the safety of his brother just as the crusaders did centuries ago. If you take a look at almost any fire apparatus today you re likely to see the maltese cross. The maltese cross is a badge of honor signifying that he works in courage a ladders rung away from death. It is a heraldic cross variant which developed from earlier forms of eight pointed crosses in the 16th century.

While it s not really there for aesthetic appeal this emblem has a very rich history and it symbolized an elite group of people that have dedicated their lives to serve their everyone in need. Various meanings of the maltese cross symbol the four arms of the maltese cross represent the four cardinal values i e. It is symmetrical both vertically and horizontally giving it an overall similar shape to the greek cross. During the crusades many knights became fire fighters out of necessity.

Maltese crosses are usually black and white or red and white. Michael foster in his history of the maltese cross defines a maltese cross as one made from four straight lined pointed arrowheads meeting at their points with the ends of the arms consisting of indented v s 2 in some sources this is actually known as a cross patee nowy pattee nowee. 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. The maltese cross is a symbol of protection.

The maltese cross has 8 points. The maltese cross remains the symbol of the sovereign military order of malta which is still in existence and active as an international organisation for medical and humanitarian aid today. It is often seen painted on fire trucks on the clothing of firefighters depicted on firefighters badges and is quite often the chosen design of firefighter tattoos.