Maltese Cross Meaning Firefighter
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.
Maltese cross meaning firefighter. Florian cross oftentimes mistakenly called the maltese cross. The maltese cross is our symbol of protection. The maltese cross is a badge of honor signifying that he works in courage a ladders rung away from death. Its eight points denote the eight obligations or aspirations of the knights namely to live in truth have faith repent one s sins give proof of humility love justice be merciful be sincere and whole hearted and to endure persecution.
Almost any fire apparatus you see today has a maltese cross on it. The maltese cross is a starlike symbol formed by four v shapes with their tips joined together. 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. Symbolism of the firefighter emblem maltese florian cross the firefighter cross is a symbol of honor valor courage and integrity.
Florian cross is oftentimes confused for the maltese cross. So in this article we re going to do a deep dive into what the cross is what it symbolizes and how it s actually used. John now the. Although chiefly associated with the knights hospitaller order of st.
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. Its story is hundreds of years old it goes on to say the st. Firefighters wear badges that also bear the shape of the maltese cross. The maltese cross firefighters if you take a look at almost any fire apparatus today you re likely to see the maltese cross.
It is a heraldic cross variant which developed from earlier forms of eight pointed crosses in the 16th century. Maltese crosses are usually black and white or red and white. It is symmetrical both vertically and horizontally giving it an overall similar shape to the greek cross. The maltese cross is a symbol of protection.
The maltese cross is the very familiar red center circle. John in 1126 stylistically owes its origins to the crosses used in the crusades when it was identified as the symbol of the christian warrior. The maltese cross formally adopted by the knights hospitallers of st. 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.