The Constitution provides that the National Flag of
Malta 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.
(click on flag for high resolution version)
The emblem of Malta
The emblem of Malta is described by the Emblem and Public Seal of
Malta Act (Cap.253) as a shield showing an heraldic representation of the
National Flag of Malta; 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 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.
The Presidential Flag of Malta
The Presidential Flag of Malta
was introduced by Proclamation dated 12th December,
1988. This flag is flown on the President's official
residences and offices and on all occasions at which
he 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.
The Merchant Flag of Malta
The Merchant Flag of Malta
introduced by the Merchant Shipping Act (Cap. 234)
consists of a red field bordered in white, with a
white Maltese Cross at its centre.
The flag used by the Archbishop of Malta
The flag used by the Archbishop
of Malta consists of two equal vertical stripes,
yellow in the hoist and white in the fly.
The pennant used by the Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta
The pennant used by 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.
The pennant used by the Commissioner of the
Police Force consists of a blue field with the
symbol of the Police Force at its centre.
2. a. It is the custom to display the National Flag of
Malta only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in
the open. However, it may also be displayed at night on special occasions, and
in such case it should preferably be floodlit.
b. The National Flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously.
c. The National Flag should be displayed near the main
administration building of every public institution on all days when the
weather permits and especially on National Holidays.
d. The National Flag should be displayed during school days
on or near every school building and in or near every polling place on
election days.
The National Flag of Malta, when
carried in a procession with another flag or
flags, should be either on the right of the line
of march, that is, the National Flag's own right,
or, if in a line of other flags, in front of the
centre of that line.
The
National Flag, when it is displayed with another
flag against a wall with crossed staffs, should be
on the right, and its staff should be in front of
the staff carrying the other flag.
No person shall
display any other flag equal, above, or in a
position of superior prominence or honour, or in
place of the National Flag; provided, that nothing
shall prevent the continuance of the practice of
displaying the flags of organisations of which
Malta is a member in positions of equal or
superior prominence or honour with that of the
National Flag of Malta; or of displaying the flags
of other countries in positions of equal
prominence or honour with that of the National
Flag of Malta during the visits of Heads of State
or Government or when international meetings are
being held in Malta.
The National Flag
should be at the centre and at the highest point
of the group when a number of flags are grouped
and displayed from flagstaffs.
When flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the
National Flag should be hoisted first and lowered
last. No flag or pennant may be placed above the
National Flag or to its right.
The National Flag carried in a procession with another flag.
The National Flag carried in a procession with other flags.
The National Flag with another flag against
a wall.
The National Flag at the centre and at the highest point with a group of flags.
When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they
are to be flown from separate staffs of the same
height. The flags should be of equal size.
International usage forbids the display of the flag of
one nation above that of another nation.
When the National Flag is flown from a staff it
should be hoisted to the peak of the staff unless it
is at half-mast.
The National Flag, when flown at half-mast, should
be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then slowly
lowered to the half-mast position. It should be again
raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
By "half-mast" is meant lowering the
National Flag to half the distance between the top and
bottom of the flagstaff. Crepe streamers may be
affixed above the flag as a sign of mourning. Flags
are to be flown at half-mast on Government buildings
when instructions are so issued by the Office of the
Prime Minister.
When the National Flag is displayed otherwise than
by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed
flat, with the 'hoist' on the left of the audience,
whether indoors or out, or so suspended that its folds
fall as free as though it were hoisted upon a
flagstaff.
No flag or pennant may be placed above the National Flag or to
its right.
The National Flag displayed flat in public places without flagstaff
The National Flag should be placed on the speaker's right
The Salute
When flown from a staff in a public hall or
auditorium the National Flag should occupy the position of honour and be placed
at the speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag displayed on the
platform should be placed on the speaker's left as he faces the audience.
When the National Flag is used to cover a coffin,
it should be so placed that the George Cross is at the head and over the left
shoulder. It should not be allowed to touch the ground, nor be lowered into the
grave.
The National Flag of Malta should not be draped over any part
of any vehicle.
When in Malta the President
shall fly his Personal Flag from the centre mast of the car and when on board a
Maltese military vessel from the starboard yard. When the President is
travelling in the same vehicle with someone of his own rank, the flag of the
visiting Head of State shall have the courtesy position on the right side. When
outside Malta he shall fly the National Flag from the right and his Personal
Flag from the left of the car.
The Prime Minister shall fly the National Flag
from the centre mast of his car except when he is travelling in the same vehicle
with someone of his own rank; in this case the flag of the visiting Head of
Government shall have the courtesy position on the right side.
Foreign Ambassadors accredited to Malta, to
organisations based in Malta or to conferences being held in Malta, shall
normally fly their flags from the left side of the car. Visiting Heads of State
or Government shall normally fly their flags from the centre mast of their cars
although nothing shall prevent them from following the customs of their
countries.
The Commissioner of Police and the Commander of
the Armed Forces may fly their pennants from the centre mast of their cars.
Except as already provided above, and for the Archbishop of Malta who may fly
his own flag from the centre mast of his car, no other person shall fly in Malta
a flag or pennant on his car.
In flying the National Flag on their cars, Maltese
Ambassadors abroad shall follow the custom of the country to which they are
accredited.
International maritime custom will be followed by vessels in
Maltese territorial waters.
Maltese military vessels shall
fly the National Flag of Malta as their ensign.
Maltese civilian vessels shall
fly the Merchant Flag of Malta as their ensign.
Maltese military vessels may fly
a jack which shall be 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.
The Emblem and Public Seal of Malta Act (Cap.253) provides that it
shall not be lawful for any person to publicly vilify by words, gestures,
written matter whether printed or not, or pictures or by some other visible
means, or in any manner to deface, the National Flag of Malta or the Emblem of
Malta. It further provides that it shall not be lawful to incorporate
within any design, for any purpose whatsoever, without the written authority
of the Prime Minister, or not in accordance with any condition contained in
any such written authority, the National Flag, the Emblem or former Emblems of
Malta.
The National Flag should never have placed upon
it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word,
figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
Except when ships are following international
maritime custom, the National Flag should not be dipped to any person or
thing. Regimental colours, local flags, and organisation or institutional
flags are to be dipped to the National Flag as a mark of respect.
The National Flag shall never be displayed with
the George Cross down save as a signal of dire distress.
The National Flag should not be used as the
covering for a monument or commemorative plaque at unveiling ceremonies.
It should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony but bunting of white and
red, not in the proportions of the National Flag, should be used for the
covering.
The National Flag shall never be used for
advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. Advertising signs should
not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the National Flag is flown.
The National Flag should never be used as drapery
of any sort whatsoever, never drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed
to fly or fall free.
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the National Flag
or when the National Flag is passing on parade or in a review, all persons
present shall face the National Flag and stand to attention. Those present
in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men
should remove headgear. Foreigners should also stand to attention. Saluting
the National Flag in a moving column shall be rendered at the moment the
National Flag passes.
Whenever the National Flag is painted on the side of a ship or
aeroplane, the hoist should be towards the bow of the ship or front of the
plane with the fly flowing aft.
Maltese military aircraft shall on the wings and
fuselage carry a roundel, consisting of George Cross proper fimbriated in red in
the centre of a white disc, within a red disc.
Maltese military aircraft shall carry a rudder or fin flash consisting 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.
