Welcome to this short post on the history of the Maltese cross. It is a rich and frequently used symbol throughout society.

The Maltese cross is used in medals, coats of arms and architecture.

The Maltese cross first originated within the medieval period, the middle ages – or the time of the crusades.

The cross is mostly associated with the Knights Hospitallers – aka, the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem or the Knights of Malta – since around 1567.

The organisation was founded or established during the crusades to care for the pilgrims in the Holy Land. Later on did the symbol become militarised when the Hospitallers began to fight alongside the Knight Templar.

The symbol is also known as the Amalfi cross – which refers to the small coastal town of Amalfi, in Italy.

What does the Maltese Cross Mean?

You may refer to the picture above to get the meaning. Aside from the above which refers to the 8 points. The cross is also used by some fire departments. It therefore represents bravery and courage in the face of adversity, with the aim of protecting and fighting for others. It is primarily a Christian symbol.

Today the symbol is frequent throughout Malta, and is used by the airline.

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I hope you enjoyed this very short post. I also have a shirt with the symbol on. I know you can buy a variety of shirts, jumpers, or clothing with the symbol on. Just look online for something if you are interested. It doesn’t even have religious associations as its primary association anymore, as its used in such a wide variety of organisations.