the Cross of Malta

The Cross of Malta

The cross we know as "Cross of Malta" is a cross "octagon" (with 8 points) and it is Byzantine origin, probably from the VI century. It would represent the 8 Beatitude Theological according to S. Mattew or the Ethernity.

This cross was used by the People of Amalfi as a symbol of the Republic since XI century; it is confirmed by some "Tarì" (Amalphitain coins) which represents clearly this cross.

When Gerardo Sasso From Scala (little village up Amalfi) founded the Monastic- Knightly Order of S.John, he used this corss, white in field black, as his symbol. Later the Order changed his designation in "Sovereign Military Order of Malta"; from than on, the octagon cross was called "Cross of Malta".

In reality, if we want to follow the historical-heraldic contents, it should be called "Cross of Amalfi".