Final answer:
The Maltese cross is historically tied to the Order of St. John and symbolizes chivalry and military triumph from the time of the crusades. It represents the sweeping cultural changes and religious transformations of the era, rather than medical care or piracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Maltese cross is a symbol that is historically associated with the Order of St. John since 1567, carrying a meaning tied to the traditional Knights Hospitaller and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The Order of Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem, which began in the 11th century, was a military religious order that played a key role in the medieval crusades. Their presence and the consecration of mosques into Christian structures represented not just a symbolic triumph but also a religious and cultural transformation, marking victories and the spread of Christianity.
The significance of symbols such as the Maltese cross is multi-layered, denoting a combination of religious fervor, military courage, and political power. It was less a symbol of medical care or piracy and more a representation of chivalry and triumph within the context of the crusades and the struggle for religious dominance in the period. Over time, symbols like the fleur-de-lis joined with the cross in iconography, merging royal and military symbols to denote power and victory.