Knights of Malta

Knights of Malta
The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem gave Malta the heritage of the Maltese Cross. The eight-pointed cross is a symbol used by the knights to denote the eight obligations or aspirations of the knights.
The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, now commonly known as the Knights of Malta, can trace their origin to a group of monks attached to a hospice built in the Holy Lands to aid travellers visiting the Holy Land. The monks were known as the Freres Hospitaliers de St. Jean de Jerusalem. Over time, the monks started offering armed escort to travellers as they passed through perilous Syrian territory. Following the success of the First Crusade, the Hospitalers evolved into a military order.
Around 1113, Pope Pascal 2nd acknowledged the Hospitaliers as a religious order. They were bound by the Augustinian rules of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience. However, more was expected of the members of the Order. They were required to abide by eight obligations or aspirations. These eight obligations wore:

live in truth;
have faith;
repent of sins;
give proof of humility;
love justice;
be merciful;
be sincere and whole-hearted; and
endure persecution

Another symbol that identifies the Templars is the emblem of their order. They adopted the famous splayed red cross of the Merovingian kings of France, placing it on their mantles, swords, buildings, and gravestones. This symbol is also important in tracing their movements to their present day headquarters