Maltese Cross Meaning Firefighter

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.

Maltese cross meaning firefighter. Maltese crosses are usually black and white or red and white. The maltese cross is a symbol of protection. 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. The maltese cross has its roots in crusader crosses and was originally the symbol of the republic of amalfi italy in the 11th century.

Today firefighters across the country wear the time honored. The maltese cross firefighters. In particular the knights became known for. These knights were known for their courageous acts often endangering their own lives to help and care for others that were injured on the battlefield.

Given that its origin lies in the heroic firefighting acts of the knights the cross is viewed as a symbol of courage bravery strength and determination. 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. John during the crusades to help identify their order on the field of battle. 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.

It is a heraldic cross variant which developed from earlier forms of eight pointed crosses in the 16th century. The maltese cross is a badge of honor signifying that he works in courage a ladders rung away from death. The legend of the maltese cross grew as it became associated with the admirable qualities of loyalty bravery and defender of the weak. This is the story that this symbol of chivalry has to tell and bring to.

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. The maltese cross is our symbol of protection. If you take a look at almost any fire apparatus today you re likely to see the maltese cross. During the crusades many knights became fire fighters out of necessity.

The original maltese cross firefighter s symbol along with its variations are thus displayed on the coats of firemen in several countries. 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 an eight pointed cross that was adopted by the knights of malta also known as the knights of st.