From
the article from the Knights of the Order anniversary publication compiled by the Grand Prior Owe Wagermark from texts written by Jan Rosenberg, Grand Officer, Grand Secretary em and Jan Stenberg, Grand Officer, Grand Chaplain.
A frequent question is why the Knights Cross looks like it does. Why have the two cross beams when the current picture in the literature often shows similarities with eg a Cross pattée or johanniterkors (Maltese cross).
We Knight of Knights Templar wearing our Red Knights Cross as a sign of belonging to an international, spiritual and Christian chivalry.
Our Knights Cross originated in a so-called Patriarchal cross, or rather a crashed - conversely - ditto. Its design has a relatively young origin and got its present form during the last century, during the current Knights of the Order Regent Dom Fernando Pinto de Sousa Fontes father's reign (1942-1960). Patriarchal Cross used already from the year 451 as heraldic signs of the Patriarch of Jerusalem, the chief Christian representative of one of Christendom's most important sites.
Ordensregenten have personally chosen to describe the Knights Cross as a reverse Lorrainekors (Cross of Lorraine). This cross is well known since World War II, when General Charles de Gaulle used it as a symbol of the freedom of France. There is a clear link between Lorrainekorset and Philippe d'Orléans, Duke of Orléans. On 22 th March 1705 when the Order officially resurrected at Versailles castle, it was under French law prohibits wearing the Knights of the Order of the Red Cross, why the words took on "another" cross and brought thus reiterate the Knights Templar in the light, after almost 400 years silence. The Duke of Orléans chose a Lorrainekors as Templar symbol. Duke Philip was soon also regent of France, and when he continued as Grand Master, it meant that the Knights Templar were back in a lawful organization.
Worth noting is also that Godfrey of Bouillon, who during the First Crusade captured Jerusalem in 1099, was precisely the Duke of Orleans.
Our Knights Cross is seen by some groups within the Catholic part of Europe as a reverse "apostolic double cross." This possibly as an expression of respect for the Apostolic Father of Rome, the Pope.
At the advent of the new words symbol chose some priorat to maintain an older design of the red cross, a modified form of the St George's Cross (or Cross pattée or Johanniterkors / Maltese cross). Some historians believe that the Order's original cross was a Latin cross in red.
Originally, during the Crusades, the term "taking up the cross ..." ie leave family and possessions to instead join a crusade. To make the imagery vividly shared one in Clermont, France, in November 1088, out tygkors to anyone who promised to embark on a crusade. Cross stitched onto the outer garment at the shoulder, not only as a symbol of a sacred promise but also as a sign that the Crusader was entitled to certain privileges and exemptions. Later, probably April 27, 1147, assigned the pope Eugenus III Knights of the Templars the right to wear the scarlet cross over the heart (on the otherwise white jerseys) "... so that the sign would serve as a shield and so they would never be tempted to turn and flee ... ". Marty's red color was placed on top of chastity white color. Knight would constantly be reminded of their readiness to sacrifice his own blood for the good cause of it.
At last symbol change may also be the image of Christ Poor Knights have been important, as in the old words stamp, which is still used today by Ordensregenten, two knights on the same horse is pictured.
Interpretations of the symbols of the current Knights Cross symbolic interpretation has and can obviously vary in different times and in different contexts and given different meanings.
The symbolic importance of the whole and our Knights Cross can be given the following significance, the origin of which we find in the Bible and whose linkage to the Church's ancient symbols is clear.
Our Knights Cross in red consists of two crosses in one with a crown on top.
- The large cross symbolizes Christ's death on the cross, which brought the world's salvation.
- The small cross is a symbol of Christ's followers, who belongs to him and follow him.
- The crown is a symbol of Christ's crown of thorns, which was a victory crown.
- The color red is a symbol of Christ's death on the cross and the blood of martyrs, who sought to live in his imitation.
How the Bible speaks of Christ, where we in the Knights Templar has been and is to this day:
Matthew chapter 16, verse 24
Matthew chapter 10, verse 38
As we noted initially, the double cross as such is not a recent invention of the Knights of the Order's history. On the contrary, the double cross, in various guises, almost 300-year history in words and is linked to the Order's most prominent representatives of the Middle Ages. The two-armed cross is also strongly associated with the Christian Jerusalem, partly through its patriarchs, partly by the commander of the first Crusades.
Knights Cross in its current guise is thus strong!
Jan Rosenberg, Grand Officer
Grand Secretary em
Jan Stenberg, Grand Officer
Large Kaplan