21 September 1964 (at independence, blue canton replaced by a red edge, 62 years).
Designed byNo individual designer; colours of the Knights of St John.
Design & Symbolism
Specs plus what each color and emblem means on this flag — tap an element to reveal its meaning.
Proportions
2:3
Shape
Rectangular
Colors
White#FFFFFF
White depicts peace and purity; it is a colour of the Knights of St John.
Red#CF142B · Pantone 186 C
Red depicts courage and sacrifice; it is a colour of the Knights of St John.
Symbols & elements
George Cross
Awarded to the whole island by George VI in 1942 for the bravery of its people under siege. Malta is the only country to carry a foreign decoration on its national flag.
Construction details
Proportions 2:3. Two vertical bands, white at the hoist, red at the fly, with a red-edged George Cross in the upper hoist corner. This cross is not the eight-pointed Maltese Cross.
Construction sheet
Etiquette & protocol
How the flag should be used and displayed with respect.
Specific rules — Malta
The flag is honoured on 21 September (Independence Day) and 13 December (Republic Day).
It is raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset.
Common conventions
Keep the flag clean and never let it touch the ground.
Never fly a torn or faded flag — repair or replace it.
Illuminate the flag if it stays up at night.
Never use the flag as clothing, packaging or advertising.
Dispose of a worn flag respectfully, not in the trash.
Did you know?
The medal in its corner is the George Cross, a British award given to the whole population in 1942 for surviving thousands of air raids.
