Maltese Cross Meaning In The Fire Service

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.

Maltese cross meaning in the fire service. Many people ask us what the connection is between the fire service and that maltese cross. The knights of st. Many knights were called to perform. John in a battle on the island of malta they banded together to fight the flames and rescue the injured.

All of this is true. The history of the maltese cross by mica calfee. But there is. The maltese cross like we ve established symbolized a special breed.

What does the maltese cross represent. When fire was used against the knights of st. The maltese cross is an eight point symbol which originated during the crusades. They were later said to be awarded a badge of honor similar to the maltese cross.

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. Both crosses retain historical significance relating to a group of individuals who battled fire and lived to serve others. The answer isn t simple and neither is the history. During the crusades many knights became fire fighters out of necessity.

The cross is a modified maltese cross called a st. The maltese cross is the very familiar red center circle with four shapes emanating from the center. The maltese cross is our symbol of protection. It honors florian who organized firefighting units in the roman legions.

There are eight points on the maltese cross each point symbolizing one the beatitudes given by jesus christ. 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. 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. He was martyred for his faith by being burned alive.

While the symbolism of these eight knightly virtues hasn t changed over the years their working has. 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. There were many of these knights who risked their lives to save their comrades or structures from the fires. John were also known for their care of the sick and injured.

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.