History Of Maltese Cross

The insignia of the Fire Service is the
Cross Patee-Nowy, otherwise known as the
Maltese Cross.
This cross represents the fire service ideals of
saving lives and extinguishing fires.
The fire service borrows the emblem of the cross
from the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem (Knights
Hospitallers), a charitable, non-military organization
that existed during the 11th and 12th centuries. A
white or silver cross on a dark background was
adopted by these Knights or Hospitallers, as they
were also known, because of their charity toward the
sick and poor in setting up hospices and hospitals.
Later, they assisted the Knights of the Crusades
(Knights Templar) through their goodwill and also
through military assistance in an effort to win back
the Holy Land against the Saracrens. The need for
an identifiable emblem for the knights had become
crucial during combat. Because of the extensive
armor which covered their entire bodies and faces,
the knights were unable to distinguish friend from
foe in battle. They chose the cross of Cavalry as
their symbol since they fought their battles for a
holy cause. 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.
During the Crusades, many knights became Fire
Fighters out of necessity. Their enemies had
resorted to throwing glass bombs containing
naphtha as the knights advanced upon the walls of
the city, When the knights became saturated with
the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled,
flaming torch into their midst’s. Hundreds of the
knights were burned alive; others risked their lives
to save their brothers-in-arms from dying a painful
and fiery death. Saracens also sailed their war
vessels containing naphtha, rosin, sulphur, and
flaming oil into the vessels of the knights. Many
knights were called to perform heroic deeds by
rescuing fellow knights and extinguishing fires. The
Knights of St. John eventually moved to the Island
of Malta, the island for which the Maltese Cross was
named.
In acknowledgment of these feats, the cross worn
by these knights was decorated and inscribed. This
was considered a most honorable acclaim.