Flag of Malta

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Flag of Malta is a basic bi-colour, with white in the hoist and red in the fly: colours from the blazon of the arms of Malta. Tradition states that the colours of the flag were given to Malta by Count Roger of Sicily, in 1091; however, this claim is only a legend developed through time.

In the upper hoist corner (in the canton of the white field) is the George Cross, outlined in red. The honour was awarded to the entire Maltese population for their exceptional bravery and gallantry during World War II. This flag was adopted upon Malta's independence, on 21 September 1964. The Maltese flag is unique in that it is the only national flag in the world bearing a decoration from another country (in this case, the United Kingdom).

The civil ensign is totally different: it shows a red field, bordered white and charged with a white Maltese cross.

[edit] See also

• Coat of arms of Malta
• Flags and symbols of Malta
• History of Malta
• Culture of Malta
• Politics of Malta

[edit] External links

• Government of Malta website
• Department of Information - Malta
• Malta at Flags of the World

National flags	National coats of arms
Flags of sovereign states	Coats of arms of sovereign states
Flags of dependent territories	Coats of arms of dependent territories
Flags of unrecognized states	Coats of arms of unrecognized states
Flags of micronations	Coats of arms of micronations
Flags of formerly independent states