Since its formation as a humanitarian organisation, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Red Cross Movement have used the distinctive emblem of a red cross on a white background (the reverse of the Swiss flag) as both a protective symbol in conflict zones and an indicative symbol in peace time. In 1929 the emblem of the Red Crescent was also afforded this special legal standing under the Geneva Conventions, and The Federation's member National Societies now use one or other of these emblems. The rules on the use of these emblems are defined in international law under the Geneva Conventions of 1949. The emblems have a protective purpose when they are used by the armed forces medical services of a country, or by National Societies working with them in a conflict situation. Indicative use is when National Societies use the emblem for their other activities in peacetime, in conformity with the Principles of the Movement.

Over time, there has been considerable discussion relating to the emblems. While neither emblem has religious or ethnic significance, in some conflicts the emblems have been interpreted as such, thus compromising their neutral nature and putting lives at risk. Also, some countries have not felt they could use either the red cross or the red crescent emblem for a variety of reasons. For example, Israel has used the Magen David Adom (MDA) the Red Star of David, for a number of years, and currently the Kazakhstan Society wishes to use both the red cross and red crescent. Neither option is currently permitted under the Statutes of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

These issues continued to be debated within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.

The Emblem as a symbol.

.of protection

this is the essential purpose of the emblem: in times of conflict, it constitutes the visible sign of protection conferred by the Geneva Conventions. It is meant to show combatants that people (volunteers, medical personnel etc), medical units (hospitals, first-aid stations etc) and transportation (by land, sea or air) are protected by the Geneva Conventions.

The Emblem, when used as a protective device, must arouse a reflex among combatants of restraint and respect.

.of membership of the Movement

this use of the Emblem is designed to show, mainly in peacetime, that a person or object is linked to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Emblem also serves as a reminder that these institutions work in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Additional emblem for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has welcomed the decision of the diplomatic conference held in Switzerland in December 2005 to adopt a third protocol additional to the Geneva Conventions, creating a new emblem - the red crystal - alongside the red cross and red crescent The additional emblem, known as the red crystal, will appear as a red frame in the shape of a square on edge, on a white background Following the adoption of the Protocol, the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has decided to call an International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in 2006, to amend the statutes of the Movement to take into account the creation of the new emblem. The adoption of the additional emblem will give extra protection to members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in situations where the neutrality of the existing emblems is not sufficiently understood or respected. Additionally it will allow those relief Societies that are unable to use the existing emblems to join the Red Cross and red Crescent Movement as equal and full members.