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History of the Maltese
Cross
We posted this story here as it is seen at fireweb.com, where it was posted by
Aaron Feldman, who's info you will find at the end of this story.
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
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