You might know the flag and emblem, but did you know about the national plant, tree and bird?
You may be surprised that a little island like Malta has many national symbols, but we've picked eight of the most prominent. Four are political and four are natural; some may surprise you!
National Symbols of Malta: Political
Flag of Malta
The National Flag of Malta consists of two equal vertical stripes, white in the hoist and red in the fly. The George Cross - awarded by King George VI for collective gallantry in 1942 - edged with red decorates the canton of the white stripe. The flag is one-and-a-half times wide as it is high. It was adopted in the constitution of Malta when it gained independence from the United Kingdom on 21st September 1964.
National emblem of Malta
Malta has had three national emblems since its independence in 1964. The second, the Republic Emblem, came into act on 11th July 1975. The third and current emblem is as described by the Emblem and Public Seal of Malta Act (1988). The shield shows the flag with a crown representing the fortifications of Malta and denoting a City State, and around the shield is a wreath with two branches: the Olive and the Palm, symbols of peace and courage traditionally associated with Malta.
National motto: Virtute et Constantia
Latin for 'Power and Consistency', the national motto Virtute et Constantia was adopted in 1964. 'Virtute' is translated as courage, daring or valour, while 'Constantia' is translated as perseverance, firmness, endurance, tenacity or persistence.
The Maltese cross
The Maltese cross is associated with the Knights of Malta and, by extension, with the island of Malta. The eight-pointed cross was adopted in the mid-16th century, when it appeared on Grand Master Jean Parisot de Vallette's 2 Tarì and 4 Tarì copper coins. He was Grand Master between 1557 and 1568 and the coins bearing the Maltese Cross appeared in 1567.
The eight points represented the eight Langues of the Knights: Aragon; Auvergne; Castille, León and Portugal; England (with Scotland and Ireland); France; Italy; Germany; and Provence, as well as the eight beatitudes and aspirations of the knights: to live in truth; to have faith; to repent one’s sins; to give proof of humility; to love justice; to be merciful; to be sincere and wholehearted, and to endure persecution.
National Symbols of Malta: Natural
National plant: Maltese Rock Centaury
The Maltese Rock Centaury, or Widnet il-Baħar in Maltese, has been hailed as Malta’s national plant since 1971. The Maltese Centaury (Cheirolophus crassifolius) is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. Endemic to Malta, its natural habitats are cliffs and coastal valleys and it is threatened by habitat loss. It is still widespread on the western cliffs of Malta but it is also cultivated due to its national importance.
National tree: Sictus tree
With so much attention placed on the Carob tree in Malta, it might come as a surprise that the Sictus tree, or l-Għargħar in Maltese, is the national tree of Malta. It is an evergreen coniferous tree in the cypress family Cupressaceae and is endemic to the western Mediterranean region.
National bird: Blue Rock Thrush
Since 1971, the national bird of Malta is the Blue Rock Thrush, il-Merill in Maltese. The Blue Rock Thrush (Monticola solitarius) is a protected species that nests in rock cavities, laying 3-5 eggs. The adult male Blue Rock Thrush is a handsome chap about 21–23 cm in length, with a blue-grey plumage and a long slim bill; he sings a distinct, melodious call. Females and young birds are a speckled dark brown.
National animal: Pharaoh Hound
No, it is not the Maltese dog, as one might assume. The Pharaoh Hound, or Kelb tal-Fenek in Maltese is a breed of dog traditionally used for hunting, hence it translates as the ‘rabbit dog’. Despite its English name, the breed has no link with Ancient Egypt, although some claim that the Phoenicians brought the dog to Malta over 2,000 years ago. The Pharaoh Hound is an elegant and athletic creature standing at around 60 cm tall. It is commonly a tan or chestnut colour with amber-coloured eyes. Fun fact: Pharaoh Hounds have a unique trait of ‘blushing' when excited, with their nose and ears turning bright pink!
Note that just because these are the national symbols of Malta, it does not mean that they are commonly seen! Keep your eyes peeled during your visit to see how many you can spot.