The Maltese Cross

Stephan Mifsud can't understand why 'the single most familiar symbol of Malta is not among the options being proposed for voting in connection with the selection of the euro face':

..Somebody could argue that it's a symbol of the Order of St John. But so are the images of St John Baptising Christ , the Auberge de Castille, Fort St Angelo and so on. Research by Michael Foster shows that the Maltese Cross developed its present-day form in Malta during the mid-16th century. The eight-pointed crosses used by the Order of St John before then were somewhat different in shape. In any case, both the Maltese people and Europeans refer to the symbol as the Maltese Cross. In Germany ambulances belonging to the Malteser Hilfdienst bring aid to many. The same happens all over Europe with other charitable organisations. Even the original Order itself is now officially the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

The relationship between Malta and the Maltese Cross is too well known to be dismissed. A coin bearing the symbol will be recognised everywhere as originating from Malta. A European does not have to be an amateur archaeologist or would need a lens to identify the Mdina skyline or a plan of Valletta. Likewise, the Maltese Cross will be instantly recognised and associated with the hospitality Malta is renowned for and the charitable institutions back home. First impressions are important in marketing. What could be better then linking our euro coins to our national airline, to our maritime flag proudly flown on the sterns of luxury yachts and to the logos of many other Maltese institutions? Should this marketing potential be ignored?

And, yes, the coins will be used here in Malta too! I am sure that for us Maltese too the eight-pointed cross on euro coins will remind us of our culture, religion, charity and the pride with which we fought side by side with the knights, defending these islands and emerging victorious. A representation of one of the exquisite crosses to be found in St John's Co-Cathedral would make a fine face on our euro coin.

Choose a Maltese face for the euro; The Maltese Cross - Wikipedia; A sinister design?; A symbol of protection; The cross of Malta