Maltese Cross

[FFZKLH]

Hi all.
I am looking for some assistance. I have been researching the Maltese Cross on the internet and books. I know the story of The Knight of St. John and the use of the Cross there on Malts. I am trying to find the origins or introduction to the Cross into the fire service. Also, I have found several departments who have meanings for each of the eight points. I am wondering if anyone can tell me if there is a common or universal meaning of the eight points for departments, or is it a locally based decision. I really appreciate any help that any of you can give. Thanks in advance.
FFZKLH

[ccfdblehman]

Found this on fireweb.com

The Story of the Maltese Cross

The badge of a Firefighter is the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection, a badge of honor, and its story is hundreds of years old. When a courageous band of crusaders, known as the Knights of St. John, fought the Saracens for possession of the Holy Land, they were faced with a new weapon not known to European fighters. It was a simple but horrible device of war. The Saracens weapon was fire.

As the crusaders advanced on the walls of the city, they were bombarded with glass bombs containing naphtha. When they were saturated with the liquid, the Saracens threw flaming torches into the crusaders. Hundreds of knights were burned alive while others risked their lives in an effort to save their kinsmen from painful fiery deaths. Thus these men became the first Firemen, and the first of a long line of Firefighters. Their heroic efforts were recognized by fellow crusaders who awarded each other with a badge of honor similar to the cross firefighters wear today.

Since the Knights of St. John lived for close to four centuries on the island of Malta, in the Mediterranean Sea, the cross came to be known as the Maltese Cross. The Maltese Cross is your symbol of protection. It means that the Firefighter that wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you, just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago. The Maltese Cross is a Firefighter’s badge of honor, signifying that he works in courage - a ladder rung away from death.

Aaron Feldman - Training Officer
Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Email: aaronf@direct.ca

[Stokesy]

hi, all i know is about the maltese cross is basically what you have and that the orgin of it is Scotish.