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Should the flag of Malta and the George Cross be changed?
The King George Cross
In Malta’s flag, a red George Cross outlined in white on a white background is displayed above the island’s coat of arms. When the country was still engulfed in World War II, the George Cross was added to the flag. As a result of their exceptional bravery during World War II, Britain’s King George VI awarded the Maltese people the Cross in 1942.
The flag was adorned with a blue canton the following year, where it remained until Malta’s independence in 1964 when the Cross was changed to have a narrow red fringe rather than the blue canton. The Malta National Flag is composed of two equal vertical stripes, white on the hoist and red on the fly, with a representation of the George Cross, edged in red, in the canton of the white stripe; the flag’s breadth is one and a half times its height.
The Colors’ Evolution
The colours red and white were traditionally thought to have been first given to Malta by Roger I of Sicily after his fleet landed here following the Norman conquest of Sicily. When the Maltese offered to fight alongside Roger, he allegedly tore a piece of his chequered red-and-white flag and gave it to them.
Later, this version of events was discredited as a myth, owing to Malta’s old capital of Mdina associating its colours with Roger’s much earlier, in the late Middle Ages.
The colours are thought to have come from the Knights of Malta’s flag, which featured a white cross on a red background. The Maltese maritime flag is commonly seen throughout the Islands, with the Cross referred to as ‘Is-Salib ta’ Malta’ (The Maltese Cross). The red colour is thought to represent Maltese sacrifices for defending their faith, while the white colour represents peace, love, light, and optimism, and the George Cross represents bravery.
Should Malta change its flag?
Should Malta’s flag be changed and the George Cross removed? The Maltese received the symbol in 1942 as a reward for their bravery, which has flown on the country’s flag since independence. With Malta’s independence on September 21, 1964, the blue canton was replaced by a red fimbriation, reducing the prominence of the Cross. After 150 years as a British colony, Malta gained state independence from Britain in 1964, became a republic in 1974, and became a member of the European Union in 2004.
The Maltese Cross is a well-known and beloved eight-pointed symbol. The Maltese Cross has foreign origins and is used worldwide in various ways. However, signs and meanings change over time, and the Maltese Cross has unquestionably become Malta’s brand. Known as the Maltese Cross, the eight-pointed Cross is already a national symbol, appearing on the national football team’s jersey and even being used to promote tourism. The Maltese Cross appears on our Euro coins, and there is no doubt that it is recognizable.
The George Cross, on the other hand, has largely remained a foreign item – more than 400 different organizations and individuals have received it. It is still issued by the British government today.
Should we replace the George cross with the eight-pointed Cross that the Knights of St. John have left us?
