1886 “In
His Name” Silver Cross, Malta, Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem
Introduced to Malta by
the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem upon taking possession of the islands in
1530, the Maltese Cross has become an intrinsic part of Malta’s culture and
heritage, as well as a much-cherished symbol by the Maltese.
What’s
the meaning of the Maltese cross?
The Maltese Cross formally adopted by the
Knights Hospitallers of St. John in 1126, stylistically owes its origins to the crosses used in the crusades,
when it was identified as the symbol of the “Christian warrior”: Its eight points denote the eight obligations or aspirations of
the knights, namely “to live in truth, have faith, repent one’s
sins, give proof of humility, love justice, be merciful, be sincere and wholehearted,
and to endure persecution”.
With time, the eight points also came to
represent the eight langues (or “tongues”, but in
effect national groupings) of the noblemen who were admitted to the famed
order, namely those of Auvergne, Provence, France, Aragon, Castille and
Portugal, Italy, Baviere (Germany), and England (with Scotland and Ireland).
The Maltese cross remains the symbol of the
Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which is still in existence (and active as an international
organization for medical and humanitarian aid) today. As part of its
present-day teachings, the cross represents eight beatitudes (or ‘blessings’).
A good first aider in service of the Order of St. John is Observant, Tactful,
Resourceful, Dextrous, Explicit, Discriminating, Persevering and Sympathetic.
Size: 19 mm x 19 mm;
Weight: 1.65 g;
Provenance: private collection from Chicago, Illinois