Maltese cross

E57219

Christian cross heraldic charge symbol

The Maltese cross is a distinctive eight-pointed cross with V-shaped arms, historically associated with the Knights Hospitaller and widely used as a symbol of chivalry, bravery, and various orders and decorations.

Aliases (1)

Maltese Cross ×1

Statements (48)

Predicate	Object
instanceOf	Christian cross → heraldic charge → symbol →
appearsOn	Maltese euro coins → insignia of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta → insignia of the Venerable Order of St John →
associatedWith	Christianity → Knights Hospitaller → Order of St John → Sovereign Military Order of Malta → bravery → chivalry →
colorOften	red background → white →
geographicallyAssociatedWith	Jerusalem → Malta → Rhodes →
hasDesignElement	four arrowhead-like arms → indentations between arms forming eight points →
hasFeature	V-shaped arms → eight points → four concave sides →
hasOrigin	Crusader period → Knights Hospitaller in the Mediterranean →
hasShape	eight-pointed cross →
hasVariant	white Maltese cross on red field →
namedAfter	Malta →
relatedTo	Jerusalem cross → cross pattée →
symbolizes	Christian virtues → courage → loyalty → sacrifice →
usedAs	badge of merit → emblem of the Knights Hospitaller → insignia of orders of chivalry → national symbol of Malta → symbol in fire service insignia → symbol in military decorations →
usedBy	Order of Malta → St John Ambulance → firefighter organizations in several countries → various European orders of merit →
usedIn	coats of arms → flags → heraldry → medals → orders and decorations →

Referenced by (9)

Subject (surface form when different)	Predicate
Pour le Mérite → Virtuti Militari →	shape
Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany → Prussian Order of the Crown →	symbol
Coat of Arms of Queensland ("Maltese Cross") →	crest
St. John Ambulance badge →	hasDesignElement
Order of the Netherlands Lion →	hasInsigniaShape
Christian cross →	hasVariant
Knights Hospitaller →	notableSymbol