Third Degree Emblem

The emblem of the Order dates from the second Supreme Council meeting on May 12, 1883, when James T. Mullen, who was then Supreme Knight, designed it.

The emblem indicates a shield mounted upon the Formée cross (having the arms narrow at the center and expanding towards the ends).  The shield is that associated with a medieval knight.  The Formée cross is the representation of a traditional artistic design of the cross of Christ through which all graces of redemption were procured for mankind.  This then represents the Catholic spirit of the Order.

Mounted on the shield are three objects: a fasces (a bundle of rods bound together about an ax with the blade projecting) standing vertically and, crossed behind it, an anchor and a dagger or short sword.  The fasces, from Roman days carried before magistrates as an emblem of authority, is symbolic of authority which must exist in any tightly-bonded and efficiently operating organization.  The anchor is the mariner's symbol for Columbus, patron of the Order, while the short sword or dagger was the weapon of the Knight when engaged upon an errand of mercy.  Thus, the shield expresses Catholic Knighthood in organized merciful action, and with the letters, K of C, it proclaims this specific form of activity.

Fourth Degree Emblem

The triad emblem of the Fourth Degree features the dove, the cross and the globe.  The dove, classic symbol of the Holy Spirit and peace, is shown hovering over the orb of the Earth (globe).  Both are mounted on a variation of the Crusader's cross, which was found on the tunics and capes of the Crusading knights who battled to regain the Holy Land.

Spiritually, the sacred symbols on the emblem typify the union of the Three Divine Persons in one Godhead, the most Blessed Trinity.

• The Globe -- God the Father, Creator of the Universe.
• The Cross -- God the Son, Redeemer of Mankind.
• The Dove -- God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of Humanity.

The colors of the symbols are:

• A blue globe with the land of the Western Hemisphere in white.
• A red cross with gold borders and gold knobs at the end of the points forming the ends of the arms of the cross, also known as the Isabella cross.
• A white dove.

Red, white and blue are the colors of the flag of the country in which the Knights originated.  They are used to stress patriotism, the basic principle of the Fourth Degree.

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