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If you have any doubt about your activities, reconsider your choice of garment and leave the cross and what it stands for at home. Show respect to those who wore it before you. The cross should not accompany vulgar language or profanity at any times, nor should it accompany you on any activity that will bring ill will toward the fire service. With that in mind, follow these simple guidelines on when, and how, to wear the cross. When you pull on your firefighter hoodie and head for the bar, you're not just showing off for you and your community, but each and every one of us who wear the cross as well. When you display the cross, you are taking on board quite a bit of responsibility and it should not be taken lightly. Skip ahead a few thousand years and now the cross proudly worn by those men can be embroidered onto a thong bikini. When the local peoples developed what can now be called firebombs, it was the Knights of Malta who, legend tells us, dropped their swords to rescue the travelers from the flames. They built hospitals and protected the caravans of travelers. The Maltese cross is the modern version of the cross worn by the Knights of Malta, a group of soldiers charged with protecting crusaders and people on their religious pilgrimage to the Holy Land long, long ago. When I see a Maltese cross on someone's shirt, hat or jacket, I know they're a part of the fire service and I'll often take a moment to introduce myself to one of my brethren. Regardless of which cross your department uses, they’re both legitimate - and powerful - symbols of the fire service.Firefighter's badge: A tradition of public trust Although some argue the Florian cross eventually evolved into the Maltese cross, its Roman ties are a testament to the importance and value of the 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). Florian often depict him in uniform with a bucket of water in hand with a burning building at his feet - which is how he became a patron saint of firefighters. Florian was later declared a saint after he was sentenced to death for his refusal to worship the Roman gods. Florian and his men were not the first firefighters in the city, they were considered the best and most well-known. The Roman army tasked Saint Florian with organizing firefighting brigades for the city. Some historians indicate the Florian cross came into existence in the 4th century and was named after a Roman officer. It carries the same, eight-point structure as the Maltese cross, but has rounded edges. Often confused with the Maltese cross, the Florian cross is what a majority of fire departments use. John’s, the cross’ eight points have similar, albeit different meanings - all of which represent the traits of a good first responder.Įnter the Maltese cross’ competitor: The Florian cross. fire service isn’t exactly easy, some historians note it was first used by the New York Fire Department in 1865.įor the Knights, the cross’ eight points each represent eight obligations or aspirations, which include:įor St. While tracking down the Maltese cross’ first appearance in the U.S. The Maltese cross eventually appeared on the one- and two-euro coins. John’s, a group dedicated to providing care and treating the public. A sister organization of the Knights was the Order of St. Hence, the first “fire fighters.”įollowing the Crusades, the Knights made their way to the island of Malta in the 16th century, where the cross remained in use. Hundreds of Knights were burned alive, and many fellow Knights did their best to save them. During the Crusades, the Knights battled the Saracens, who used fire bombs made from naphtha. These knights bore the cross, a religious symbol, on their uniforms. The Maltese cross has origins dating back to the Crusades and the Knights Hospitaller. It was originally a white cross placed on a red or black backdrop. The shape itself has origins dating back to Byzantine culture in the 6th century. The Maltese cross is an eight-pointed cross formed by four v-shaped elements that each meet at its vertex. Although both have undeniable similarities, they are indeed different and have different origins.īy delving into the history of the Maltese and Florian cross, we can understand - and settle - where and how the two came to be such an integral symbol of the fire service. (Photo/Keith Padgett)Ĭontrary to popular belief, the Maltese cross is not the cross found on the majority of department logos that would be the Florian cross. Often confused with the Maltese cross, the Florian cross is what a majority of fire departments use, though both are legitimate - and powerful - symbols of the fire service.
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