page_title: Flag and coat of arms of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
section_title: Flag variants
hierarchical_section_title: Flag and coat of arms of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta / Flag variants
caption_attribution_description: The flag on the left is the Maltese National Flag, the flag on the right is the Flag of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
context_page_description: The flag and coat of arms of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta display a white cross on a red field, ultimately derived from the design worn by the Knights Hospitaller during the Crusades.
  The flag represents the Sovereign Military Order of Malta as a sovereign institution, and it bears a Latin cross that extends to the edges of the flag. The Flag of the Order's Works represents its humanitarian and medical activities, and it bears a white Maltese cross on a red field.
  Both flags together represent the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Its constitution states: "The flag of the Order bears either the white latin cross on a red field or the white eight-pointed cross on a red field."
context_section_description: Today it flies from the SMOM's headquarters at Palazzo Malta in Rome and from other official residences and embassies.  Together with the flag of Malta, it is also flown from Fort St Angelo in Birgu, Malta.  It goes with the Grand Master and members of the Sovereign Council when they make official visits.
  The Flag of the Order's Works, featuring a Maltese cross, is flown by the SMOM's Grand Priories, Subpriories, and National Associations.  
  As a symbol of its humanitarian works, the Order flies it at its hospitals and medical facilities.   It is sometimes described as the "Grand Master's flag," but it is not used as a personal standard.
  The Grand Master's personal flag is red with a white Maltese cross surrounded by the collar of the order and surmounted by a crown.  It flies over the SMOM's magistral seats when the Grand Master is present.
caption: Flags of Malta and the SMOM at Fort St. Angelo
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