Saint Florian was born around 250 in the Roman province of Noricum, in what is now Austria. He was a soldier in the Roman army, but despite his position, he openly professed the Christian faith, which was a great risk during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. Florian was known for his bravery, care for others, and selflessness. These qualities were especially evident when he learned that forty Christians had been arrested for their faith. He decided to help them, joined them, and confessed his Christian faith.

The Roman authorities captured Florian, tortured him, and finally sentenced him to death. According to legend, he was executed by being thrown from a bridge into the Enns River with a millstone tied around his neck. A monastery was built over his grave in Lorch, and his remains were later transferred to Rome. Some of them were donated to Poland, where he became one of the main patrons.

Florian's veneration as the patron saint of firefighters is linked to a legend that says that during his lifetime he helped put out a large fire with just a single bucket of water. This miracle symbolizes his power to protect against the element of fire and his connection to helping others. Thanks to this, he has been considered the protector of firefighters and all those who are engaged in work related to fire and its elimination since the Middle Ages.

Saint Florian is traditionally depicted as a Roman soldier with a helmet and cloak, pouring water from a container on a burning house.