The emblem of the Order dates from the second Supreme Council meeting May 12, 1883, when it was designed by James T. Mullen, who was then Supreme Knight.
A quick glance at the emblem indicates a shield mounted upon the Formée Cross. The shield is that associated with a medieval Knight. The
Formée Cross is the representation of a traditionally artistic design of the Cross of Christ through which all graces of redemption were procurred for mankind. This then represents the Catholic spirit of the Order.
Mounted on the shield are three objects: a fasces standing vertically, and, crossed behind it, an anchor and a dagger or short sword. The fasces from Roman days 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.
The red, white and blue in the background of the shield and the foreground of the Cross of Malta are the colors of our country (USA). As such, red is the symbol of stout-hearted courage, of pulsing activity and a full measure of devotion. Blue is the symbol of hope, of calm tranquility under God and of confidence in the protection of our country. White is the symbol of nobility of purpose, of purity of aim and of crucible tried ideals to be carried out.
But there is another symbolism of color in red, white and blue.
This is the ecclesiastical symbolism in which red becomes the reflection of the drips of Christ’s redemptive blood shed upon Calvary, and of the martyr’s blood shed in defense of the faith. Red then is the symbol of Faith, of belief in Christ, in the Redemption and in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.
White is the color of the Eucharistic Host, pledge of God’s Eucharistic presence among men, of the infinite love God has for man and the overwhelming affection which the God-man has for each individual. White then is the symbol of Christ-like Charity.
Blue is the color of Our Lady’s mantle, in which she wrapped her beloved Son, through Whom came salvation to a sinful world. Blue is then the symbol of Hope.
哥倫布騎士會的會徽始於在1883年5月12日舉行的第二次哥倫布騎士總會會議，由當時的總騎士雅各伯•梅倫設計。
驟眼一看，會徽是一面襯在『科美十字架』上的盾牌，盾牌使人聯想起中世紀騎士使用的盾，科美十字架是基督十字架傳統美術設計的代表，透過基督的十字架獲得令人類得救的所有恩寵，所以，這代表著哥倫布騎士會的天主教精神。
裝飾在盾牌上是三件物品﹕直立的束棒，和交叉在它背後的一個錨和一把匕首或短劍，束棒是自羅馬時代權威的象徵，權威是在任何有緊密聯繫和有效律運作的組織所必備的，錨是海員對本會的守護者哥倫布的象徵，而匕首或短劍則是騎士在執行仁愛任務時使用的武器，所以，盾牌顯示天主教騎士團執行有組織的仁愛行動。
在盾牌背景和馬爾他十字架顯眼地方的紅﹑白和藍是美國的顏色，這樣，紅色是剛毅勇氣﹑活躍興奮和全心奉獻的象徵，藍色是希望﹑在主內平和寧靜和具保護國家信心的象徵，白色是高尚決心、純潔目標和曾受考驗理想的象徵。
此外，紅﹑白和藍色另有象徵意義。
在教會的象徵意義上，紅色變成基督在加爾瓦略山所流救贖的血﹑和殉道者為維護信仰而流的血的反映，所以，紅色是信德﹑對基督的信賴﹑救贖和對耶穌基督的認識和愛的象徵。
白色是聖體的顏色，是天主在聖體中與人同在的誓約、是天主對人類無盡的愛的保證﹑和天主子對每一個人盡傾的慈愛，所以，白色是肖似基督仁愛的象徵。
藍色是聖母瑪利亞用來包裹她至愛的兒子的斗篷的顏色，透過她的愛子為這個罪惡的世界帶來救恩，所以，藍色是望德的象徵。