Fire fighter's Cross?

Question

What is the name of the familiar fire fighter's cross?

Example:

http://www.coverthehitch.com/shopnow/images/10023_firefighters_cross.jpg

I've heard it referred to by many names, such as the Maltese cross, the cross of St. George, and the cross of St. Florian.

What is the correct term?

Answer 1

It is a Maltese Cross.

Answer 2

Maltese Cross is the correct term.

The eight-point Maltese Cross is the international symbol of the fire service's willingness to make great sacrifices in order to protect others from the ravages of fire. It is a badge of courage and honor and it's story is a hundred years old.

This honored symbol originated with a group of eleventh century knights who were serving in a Jerusalem hospital. They became known as the Order of Knights Hospitaller and later became the Knights of St. John. This charitable organization cared for the ill with great compasion.

Later they assisted the Knights of Crusaders in thier effort to win back the Holy Land. As the Knights of St. John and Knights of Crusaders attacked the city walls, the Saracens first threw glass bombs containing highly flammable liquids and then flaming torches. Many knights were severly burned, some suffering agonizing deaths. Risking horrible death, those knights who were able struggled desperatly to help thier burning comrades, beating out the flames and dragging them to safety. In acknowledgment of thier heroic deeds of rescuing fellow knights and fighting fires, the cross which they wore was decorated and inscribed.

In 1530, the Island of Malta was given to the courageous knights. The symbol on thier flag, the eight-point cross, became known as the "Maltese Cross." The cross, which had originally helped the knights distinguish between friend and foe, became the ultimate symbol of heroism and service. The cross, which is considered sacred, represents the principles of charity, loyalty, chivalry, gallantry, generosity to friend and foe, protection of the weak and dexterity in service.

Today, firefighters wear the Maltese Cross to symbolize thier willingness to risk thier lives to save others. http://www.local1259iaff.org/maltesecros...

St. Florian is the patron Saint of Firefighters and the Cross of St. George is the red cross utilized in the British flag and some other European countries.