Introduction.....

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The Emblem Of St John

          The famous eight pointed white cross, which is a symbol of the Order of St. John today was originally the badge of the Republic of Almafi, a small republic on the Italian coast south of Naples. The monks who served in the new hospital for the pilgrims in the site of Charlemagne's hospice adopted this white cross. When St. John Ambulance Association and St. John Ambulance Brigade was founded by the Order of St. John in 1877 in 1887 respectively as its foundations, both organization uses the same white cross as their emblem until today. The other foundation under the Order of St. John is the St. John Ophthalmic Hospital in Jerusalem, the city which the Order of St. John was first founded.  It is interesting to note that this white cross of St. John gave the origin to the red cross (the International Badge of Mercy, which then adopted by the Red Cross Society). This is true because Switzerland is said to have adopted the banner of the order of St. John (the white cross on a red background). Then, during the First Geneva Convention, the delegates selected the red cross on a white background as the International Badge of Mercy, which is a reversal from the Swiss color.  

 

The Banner Of The Order of St. John

          As a result  of the Order's work through its three foundations, Her late Majesty Queen Victoria granted the Order a Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1888. The Order thus became an entirely British Order with the Queen as the Sovereign Head and the Prince of Wales as the Grand Prior. With the Royal Charter, the images of 2 lions and 2 unicorns were being included in the Emblem of the Order, as well as the Emblem of St. John Ambulance.   In St. John Ambulance, each of the point on the white cross represents different qualities of a first aider, which all first aiders of St. John Ambulance should observe. They are: -

• Observant : ***that he may note the causes and signs of injury.

• Tactful : ***that he may, without thoughtless questions, learn the symptoms and history of the case, and secure the confidence of the patient   and bystanders.
• Resourceful : ***that he may use to the best advantage whatever is at hand to prevent further damage and to assist the nature's effort to repair the mischief already done.
• Dexterous : ***that he may handle a patient without causing unnecessary pain, and use the appliances efficiently and neatly.
• Explicit : ***that he may give clear instructions to the patient and/or to the bystanders how best to assist him.
• Discriminating : ***that he may decide which of several injuries should be treated first.
• Persevering : ***that he may continue his effort, though not at first successful.
• Sympathetic : ***that he may give red comfort and encouragement to the casualty.