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7.15.1.3 Red Crystal. AP III recognizes an additional distinctive emblem inaddition to, and for the same purposes as, the distinctive emblems of the Geneva Conventions,which, for parties to AP III, shall enjoy equal status to the other emblems. 387This additional distinctive emblem, composed of a red frame in the shape of a square onedge on a white ground, shall conform to the illustration in the Annex to AP III. 388This distinctive emblem is referred to in AP III as the “third Protocol emblem” 389 but isoften called the red crystal.The conditions for use of and respect for the third Protocol emblem are identical to thosefor the distinctive emblems established by the 1949 Geneva Conventions and, where applicable,AP I and AP II. 390AP III further provides for use of the Red Crystal for indicative purposes by nationalsocieties of the Parties to AP III. Such uses for indicative purposes by national societies are usesof the red crystal that do not indicate protection under the AP III, the GWS, or the GWS-Sea, butthat indicate an association with the Red Cross movement. 3917.15.1.4 State Discretion Among Emblems. Although the GWS contemplates thatthe emblem of the red crescent and the emblem of the red sun and lion will be used only in Statesthat already used them before ratifying the 1949 Geneva Conventions, AP III provides that thedistinctive emblems of the Geneva Conventions shall enjoy equal status. 392 In addition, AP IIIprovides that the medical services and religious personnel of armed forces of Parties to AP III387 AP III art. 2(1) (“This Protocol recognizes an additional distinctive emblem in addition to, and for the samepurposes as, the distinctive emblems of the Geneva Conventions. The distinctive emblems shall enjoy equalstatus.”).388 AP III art. 2(2) (“This additional distinctive emblem, composed of a red frame in the shape of a square on edgeon a white ground, shall conform to the illustration in the Annex to this Protocol.”).389 AP III art. 2(2) (“This distinctive emblem is referred to in this Protocol as the ‘third Protocol emblem’.”).390 AP III art. 2(3) (“The conditions for use of and respect for the third Protocol emblem are identical to those for thedistinctive emblems established by the Geneva Conventions and, where applicable, the 1977 AdditionalProtocols.”).391 AP III art. 3 (“1. National Societies of those High Contracting Parties which decide to use the third Protocolemblem may, in using the emblem in conformity with relevant national legislation, choose to incorporate within it,for indicative purposes: a) a distinctive emblem recognized by the Geneva Conventions or a combination of theseemblems; or b) another emblem which has been in effective use by a High Contracting Party and was the subject ofa communication to the other High Contracting Parties and the International Committee of the Red Cross throughthe depositary prior to the adoption of this Protocol. Incorporation shall conform to the illustration in the Annex tothis Protocol. 2. A National Society which chooses to incorporate within the third Protocol emblem another emblemin accordance with paragraph 1 above, may, in conformity with national legislation, use the designation of thatemblem and display it within its national territory. 3. National Societies may, in accordance with nationallegislation and in exceptional circumstances and to facilitate their work, make temporary use of the distinctiveemblem referred to in Article 2 of this Protocol. 4. This Article does not affect the legal status of the distinctiveemblems recognized in the Geneva Conventions and in this Protocol, nor does it affect the legal status of anyparticular emblem when incorporated for indicative purposes in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.”).392 AP III art. 2(1) (“The distinctive emblems shall enjoy equal status.”).472