National symbols of Malta

The island nation of Malta has a variety of national flags and symbols, some current and some no longer in use.

National flag and coat of arms

The National Flag of Malta is defined in the Constitution and consists of two equal vertical stripes, white in the hoist and red in the fly, with a representation of the George Cross, edged with red, in the canton of the white stripe; the breadth of the flag is one and a half times its height. It was adopted when Malta became independent from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1964. The George Cross decoration was awarded by King George VI for collective gallantry in 1942. Malta remained the only collective awardee of the decoration until it was awarded to the Royal Ulster Constabulary of Northern Ireland in 1999.

The current emblem of Malta is described by the Emblem and Public Seal of Malta Act (1988) as a shield showing an heraldic representation of the National Flag; above the shield a mural crown in gold with a sally port and eight turrets (five only being visible) representing the fortifications of Malta and denoting a City State; and around the shield a wreath of two branches: the dexter of Olive, the sinister of Palm, symbols of peace and courage to victory traditionally associated with Malta, all in their proper colours, tied at base with a white ribbon, backed red and upon which are written the words Repubblika ta' Malta in capital letters in black.

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  National flag ^[1] since 1964
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  Coat of arms ^[1] since 1988

Other flags or symbols

In current use

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  The Presidential Flag of Malta was introduced by a proclamation dated 12 December 1988. This flag is flown on the President's official residences and offices and on all occasions at which the president is present. It has the same proportions as the National Flag and consists of a blue field with the Emblem of Malta at its centre; and a Maltese Cross in gold in each corner.
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  The flag of the Archbishop of Malta consists of two equal vertical stripes, yellow in the hoist and white in the fly. It is believed to date back from 754 AD, making it Malta's oldest flag.
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  The pennant of the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta consists of a red field with the symbol of the Armed Forces in gold at its centre.
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  The pennant of the Commissioner of Police consists of a blue field with the symbol of the Police Force at its centre.
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  The Merchant Flag of Malta, the civil ensign, was introduced by the Merchant Shipping Act of 1964 and consists of a red field bordered in white, with a white Maltese Cross at its centre. This flag is flown by Maltese civilian vessels as their ensign. Maltese military vessels fly the National Flag.
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  The Naval Jack of Malta intended to be flown by Maltese military vessels consists of a square flag, consisting of a George Cross proper fimbriated in red in the centre of a white square, within a red square. Each corner of the red square shall contain a white Maltese Cross.
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  The rudder or fin flash used by Maltese military aircraft consists of two equal vertical strips, one white and the other red with the white leading and bearing across its top third a George Cross proper fimbriated in red.
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  The roundel on the wings and fuselage of Maltese military aircraft consists of a George Cross proper fimbriated in red in the centre of a white disc, within a red disc. Whenever then national flag is painted on the side of an aeroplane, the hoist should be towards the front of the plane with the fly flowing aft.

Historical Flags

Knights' Flag (1530–1798)

The original flag of the Knights Hospitaller consisted of a white Maltese Cross on a black background, however this was never used in Malta. The only flag used in Malta in the time of the Knights consisted of a white symmetrical cross on a red field with the cross having a width of 1/5 the height of the flag – similar to the flag of England, colors reversed with a proportion of 5:3. The flag is still used by the Knights' modern successor, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

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  Flag of Malta 1530–1798

Colonial Flags (19th century – 1964)

Several flags were used by the British Colonial administration of Malta prior to independence in 1964. Between 1798 and 1813, the Neapolitan flag and the Union flag were used in Malta. After Malta became a Crown Colony a new flag was adopted, having the colours of the Order of Saint John, but with different proportions and defaced by the Union flag. Later flags consisted of the British blue ensign defaced by the coat of arms of Malta.

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  Colonial flag in the 19th century
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  Colonial flag 1875–1898
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  Colonial flag 1898-c.1923
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  Colonial flag c.1923–1943
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  Colonial flag 1943–1964

Standard of the Queen of Malta (1967–1974)

The Standard of the Queen of Malta was introduced in 1967. It consisted of a Maltese flag defaced by the personal flag of Queen Elizabeth II.

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  Royal standard of Malta 1967–1974

Other symbols

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  National motto: Virtute et Constantia (Latin for Power and Consistency, since 1964)
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  Maltese Cross (is-Salib ta' Malta, since 1530)
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  George Cross (since 1942)

References

1. Flags, Symbols and their uses. Valletta: Gvern ta' Malta. Archived 15 July 2025.

Further reading

• "Flags, symbols and their use". Department of Information. Retrieved March 24, 2006.
• Government Notice No. 517. The Malta Government Gazette (No. 15,310). July 25, 1990.