Did you ever wonder what people were thinking when they chose the mascot for their school? Typically, a name is influenced by much symbolism. “Tigers” are ferocious; “Lions” are the king of the jungle; “Warriors” are strong and courageous…
Why did Fairfield Christian Academy choose a “KNIGHT” as its mascot? Though the symbolism surrounding a variety of animals is worthy of consideration, none could completely convey the character traits desired. Some mascots represented by humans, such as Warriors or Spartans, are known for some good qualities, but also have many negative connotations. We wanted to give our student-athletes a name that symbolized qualities that were worthy of aspiration.
Though history may show knights from a variety of viewpoints, both good and bad, the ideals of knighthood are noble and have withstood time. The character traits of an ideal knight are qualities that all of us should aspire toward. They are qualities that, when possessed in increasing measure, make us proud to be called “KNIGHTS”. These traits are summarized well in the following:
A Knight’s Code
(Adapted from A Code of Chivalry by Brian R. Price, April, 1997)
PROWESS: To seek excellence in all endeavors expected of a knight, martial and otherwise, seeking strength to be used in the service of justice, rather than in personal aggrandizement.
JUSTICE: Seek always the path of 'right', unencumbered by bias or personal interest. Recognize that the sword of justice can be a terrible thing, so it must be tempered by humanity and mercy. If the 'right' you seek rings true with God, and you seek it out without bending to the temptation for expediency, then you will earn renown beyond measure.
LOYALTY: Be known for unwavering commitment to the people and ideals you choose to live by. There are many places where compromise is expected; loyalty is not amongst them.
DEFENSE: The ideal knight was sworn by oath to defend his liege lord and those who depended upon him. Seek always to defend God, your nation, your family, your team, and those to whom you believe worthy of loyalty.
COURAGE: Being a knight often means choosing the more difficult path, the personally expensive one. Be prepared to make personal sacrifices in service of the precepts and people you value. At the same time, a knight should seek wisdom to see that stupidity and courage are cousins. Courage also means taking the side of truth in all matters, rather than seeking the expedient lie. Seek the truth whenever possible, but remember to temper justice with mercy, or the pure truth can bring grief.
FAITH: A knight must have faith in his beliefs, for faith roots him and gives hope against the despair that human failings create.
HUMILITY: Value first the contributions of others; do not boast of your own accomplishments, let others do this for you. Tell the deeds of others before your own, according them the renown rightfully earned through virtuous deeds. In this way the office of knighthood is well done and glorified, helping not only the gentle spoken of but also all who call themselves knights.
LARGESSE: Be generous in so far as your resources allow; largesse used in this way counters gluttony. It also makes the path of mercy easier to discern when a difficult decision of justice is required.
NOBILITY: Seek great stature of character by holding to the virtues and duties of a knight, realizing that though the ideals cannot be reached, the quality of striving towards them ennobles the spirit, growing the character from dust towards the heavens. Nobility also has the tendency to influence others, offering a compelling example of what can be done in the service of rightness.
FRANCHISE: Seek to emulate everything spoken of as sincerely as possible, not for the reason of personal gain but because it is right. Do not restrict your exploration to a small world, but seek to infuse every aspect of your life with these qualities. Should you succeed in even a tiny measure then you will be well remembered for your quality and virtue.