What Does the Chopper Malteese(sp) Mean?

[curling]

What Does the Chopper Malteese(sp) Cross Mean?

I have always wondered. I think Germany used it in WW1 but I heard they copied it from Vikings who gave that shaped medal to fearless warriors.

Does anybody know for sure and how exactly do you spell "malteese" do I have it right?

Thanks.

 

[bigguns7]

Like I told you in another thread before, I know that it was a symbol used by the Confederate Army (which is why it's surprising that blacks don that sybol quite frequently). I don't know if it has origins older than that.

Actually I believe it is also a symbol used by freemasons.

 

[bigguns7]

This site says its origins are unknown, but that it was not used until the mid-late 1500's.

http://www2.prestel.co.uk/church/oosj/cross.htm