St. John's Cross, known also as the Amalfi, Maltese, Regeneration, Fishtail, Honour, Knights, Campaign and Iron Cross. In heraldry it is called Pattée or Formy Cross. Several other names are given to crosses of this shape.
The Cross Pattée (Patty) or Cross Formée (Formy) is the heraldic name of a common cross style, especially in 'medieval' art. The term 'pattée' simply means the cross has splayed arm ends. The arms may be straight or concave but in essence, they are narrow at the center, and broader at the perimeter. The name 'pattée' comes from the French for 'paw'.
Where there is a religious connection, however tenuous, the style is referred to as a St. John's Cross or Maltese Cross. (See below)
There are several variations of the design: the arms may meet at a point in the centre, producing a cross comprised of four triangles (the Triangle represents an arrow in heraldry, or the Holy Trinity where there is a religious connection). The cross may have straight or curved arms, straight or curved edges, concave or convex1.
Any of the above styles may also feature a notch at the arm ends.
Confusingly, the Celtic Cross and Hans's Cross are also sometimes referred to as St. John's Cross. (See also St. John the Evangelist's Cross and St. John the Baptist's Cross).
Sometimes called the Regeneration Cross because it has eight points. Eight symbolises regeneration for many religious ideas. It is the holistic number in Buddhism for the number of steps to end suffering. The number 8, like the lemniscate symbol for infinity
, is a never-ending line. Tracing the shape of the 8 differs from the circle, square, triangle etc. in that the line crosses itself in the centre. This crossing symbolises death. But the line does not stop there; it carries on into a new life, just as the Christian cross symbolises new life. The eight therefore represents life, death, and rebirth. In Christianity, because Christ rose from grave eight days after entering Jerusalem, the number is associated with the rebirth of Christ and also baptism; the spiritual rebirth of a person.
The eight points on this cross also represent the eight beatitudes2.
Not surprisingly, the St John Ambulance logo incorporates the cross used by the Knights Hospitaller, the Cross of Saint John.
(more...)
One interpretation of the 'sharp' pointed cross is of four fishtails. The fish symbol was adopted by the early Christian church and the design has long been used as a Hospitaller Cross and Crusader Cross. From this we have the basis of numerous military crosses, including:
(more...)
D-r-r-rag racing off in a different direction; brave, risk-taking, dare-devilish behaviour has led to variations the St. John's Cross becoming popular with fans of hot-rods, rockabilly and the general rock'n'roll scene.
(more...)
The Maltese Cross can be seen on the provincial Ukrainian flags of Poltava Oblast, Rivne Oblast and Vinnytsia Oblast, where this cross is known as the Cossack Cross, a Ukrainian medal of honour. In czarist Russia, Slavs living mainly in the southern part of Russia formed an elite corps of cavalrymen. The name retains its brave, adventurous and somewhat guerilla fighting image.
The Maltese Cross has many similarities with the George Cross, also known as the Greek Cross. The civil ensign of Malta is a white Maltese Cross on a red ground, but the present day national flag of Malta (shown on the right) bears a George Cross rather than a Maltese Cross.
(more...)
The Maltese Cross appears in the logo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (see also Lutheran Cross).
| 1: | The Consecration Cross also has concave arms and convex ends |
| 2: | Beatitude: One of the eight sayings at the beginning of Jesus' very first sermon - the Sermon on the Mount. In Latin each saying begins with beatus (blessed) and they are listed in Matthew 5:3-11. |
| 3: | Campaign Cross: For modern Christian campaign crosses, see Lapel Pin Crosses. |