Maltese Cross Symbol ✠
The Maltese Cross, a distinctive symbol with a rich history, holds profound significance in various cultural, religious, and historical contexts. Recognized by its unique shape and symbolism, the Maltese Cross has become synonymous with notions of bravery, chivalry, and humanitarianism. In this article, we'll explore the origins, symbolic meanings, and historical importance of the Maltese Cross.
Historical Origins
The Maltese Cross traces its origins to the Knights of St. John, a medieval Christian military order founded in the 11th century. The cross became associated with the order after they established themselves on the island of Malta in the 16th century. The cross's design consists of four arms of equal length, each ending in a V-shaped element, creating a distinctive eight-pointed shape.
Symbolic Meanings
The Maltese Cross carries various symbolic meanings, including:
- Chivalry: The cross is a symbol of chivalry and honor, representing the virtues of knights and warriors who pledged themselves to the defense of the Christian faith.
- Protection: Historically, the Maltese Cross was associated with the protection of Christians, and its eight points were said to symbolize the eight obligations or aspirations of the knights.
- Humanitarianism: In modern times, the Maltese Cross is linked to humanitarian efforts, especially through the work of the Order of Malta, a modern-day continuation of the Knights of St. John. The cross is a symbol of the order's commitment to serving the sick and the needy.
Emblem of the Order of Malta
The Maltese Cross serves as the emblem of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, a modern organization that continues the traditions of the historic knights. The order engages in various charitable and humanitarian activities worldwide, upholding the principles of charity, hospitality, and Christian values.
Recognition in Heraldry
Beyond its association with the Order of Malta, the Maltese Cross has found a place in heraldry. It is often used as a symbol of distinction and honor, appearing in the coats of arms of individuals, organizations, and regions with historical ties to the Knights of St. John.
Contemporary Use
In contemporary culture, the Maltese Cross remains a powerful and recognizable symbol. It is used in various contexts, including military insignias, firefighter badges, and as a symbol of recognition for acts of bravery and service.
Conclusion
The Maltese Cross stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Knights of St. John and their commitment to principles of chivalry, honor, and humanitarian service. Its symbolism has transcended its medieval origins, making it a revered and enduring emblem in diverse cultural and historical settings.
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Maltese Cross Symbol Information
| Symbol Name | Maltese Cross |
| Unicode Version | 1.1 (June 1993) |
| Unicode | U+2720 |
| CSS Code | \2720 |
| HTML Entity | ✠ |
Maltese Cross Symbol Encoding
| UTF-8 | 0xE2 0x9C 0xA0 |
| UTF-16 | 0x2720 |
| UTF-32 | 0x00002720 |
Table of contents
- Maltese Cross PNG and SVG files
- How to type maltese cross in latex
- How to type maltese cross on Microsoft Word
- How to type maltese cross on Microsoft Windows
- How to type maltese cross on Mac OS
- How to type maltese cross on Linux
- How to type maltese cross on IOS and Android
- How to use maltese cross in CSS
- How to use maltese cross in HTML
- Maltese Cross representation in programming languages
Maltese Cross symbol's PNG and SVG files
How to type maltese cross symbol in latex
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{pifont}
\begin{document}
\ding{64}
\end{document}
How to add maltese cross symbol via keyboard on different Operating systems
You can type the maltese cross on most modern devices with the help of following methods:
How to type maltese cross symbol on Microsoft Word
You can type the maltese cross on microsoft Microsoft Word using steps mentioned below:
- Place your cursor in the text area where you need to insert the symbol and type 2 7 2 0
- Without moving the cursor press keys Alt + x together
- The original 2 7 2 0 is now transformed into ✠
How to type maltese cross symbol on Microsoft Windows
You can type the maltese cross on Microsoft windows using following steps:
- Hold Alt and press to type maltese cross on your windows machine.
How to type maltese cross symbol on Mac OS
You can type the maltese cross on Mac OS using following steps:
- Place your cursor in the text area where you need to insert the symbol
- Press Ctrl + ⌘ Command + ⎵ Space to bring up the Character Viewer. Alternatively, choose Edit ⇒ Emoji & Symbols
- Type “Maltese Cross” in the search field at the top and press Enter
- The symbol should appear. Click on it to insert it into your text
How to type maltese cross symbol on Linux
You can type the maltese cross on Linux using following steps:
- Place your cursor in the text area where you need to insert the symbol
- Hold ⇧ Shift + Ctrl and press the letter + U
- Press keys 2 7 2 0 consecutively
- And then press ↵ Enter , the desired symbol will be added to your document
How to type maltese cross symbol on IOS and Android
The easiest way to type the maltese cross on ios and android is to copy and paste it wherever you need it.
How to use maltese cross in CSS
span {
content: "\2720";
}
How to type maltese cross in HTML
<span>✠</span>
Maltese Cross symbol representation in programming languages
maltese cross's representation in different programming languages can be found in table below:
| Language | Representation |
| Rust | \u{2720} |
| Ruby | \u{2720} |
| Python | \u2720 |
| PHP | \u{2720} |
| Perl | "\x{2720}" |
| Java | \u2720 |
| Modern JavaScript - Since ES6 | \u{2720} |
| JavaScript | \u2720 |
| Go | \u2720 |
| C# | \u2720 |
| C and C++ | \u2720 |
| Bash and Zsh - inside echo -e | \u2720 |
| RFC 5137 | \u'2720' |