⚡The Maltese Cross – a symbol of courage and faith⚡
The history behind Malta’s eight-pointed emblem.
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The Maltese Cross, with its eight distinctive points, is a symbol of bravery and devotion – definitely more than just a symbol.
It originated with the Knights of St. John or Hospitallers, who made Malta their home in the 16th century after fighting Süleyman the Magnificent’s army.
Its eight points symbolize the eight Beatitudes according to Saint Matthew and the eight virtues that a member of the Order must possess:
loyalty,
piety,
honesty,
courage,
honor and glory,
contempt for death,
solidarity towards the poor and the sick,
respect for the Church.
The eight points of the cross also represent the eight “lingue” (national groupings) of the Order’s members, namely: Auvergne, Provence, France, Aragon, Castile and Portugal, Italy, Germany and England (with Scotland and Ireland).
Today, the cross is Malta’s national emblem, found on everything from coins to souvenirs. Its enduring legacy represents Malta’s rich history and its role as a beacon of resilience and charity.
This flashfact is a reference to my JourneyJots post on Malta.
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