National Emblem of the Hellenic Confederation
The National Emblem of the Hellenic Confederation consists of a blue escutcheon with a white cross totally surrounded by two laurel branches. The cross' top left canton is of red colour containing a white star, and where the twp laurel branches meet, there is a white-bordered red star.
The emblem is painted or woven, mainly on the hats, uniforms and buttons of the military, the security forces etc. Prior to use by the Hellenic Confederation it served as the national emblem of Crete.
The Greek national emblem was provided for by the Constitution of Khania of Crete of 1 January 1898 and was established by decree on 15 March of the same year. It was circular in shape and had no star at the top, but was otherwise identical. Since it was first established the emblem has undergone many changes in shape and in design, mainly due to changes of regime.
Its current form was adopted with Crete's independence in 1959, adding the red star in 1960 when the Communist Party of Crete got in power. Even though the Communists lost the following elections narrowly, the red star has remained there ever since. With the formation of the Hellenic Confederation, the symbol was passed on to the new federal state.
