Iran Flag: Meaning, Colors, History & Facts
Iran’s national flag is a green-white-red horizontal tricolour with the red emblem of the Islamic Republic in the centre and the phrase “Allahu Akbar” repeated along the borders of the white stripe.
What does the Iranian flag look like?
The flag has three horizontal stripes: green, white and red. A red national emblem sits in the centre of the white stripe, while a repeating white Kufic-style inscription runs along the stripe borders.
What is the central emblem?
The emblem is the special symbol of the Islamic Republic. Its stylized form incorporates shapes that together evoke the word Allah.
Why does Allahu Akbar appear 22 times?
The phrase appears eleven times along each boundary of the white stripe, for 22 repetitions in total. The count commemorates 22 Bahman, associated with the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Explore the emblem and inscriptions →
What does the Constitution say?
Article 18 defines the official flag as green, white and red with the special emblem of the Islamic Republic and the motto Allahu Akbar.
What flag did Iran use before the Islamic Republic?
Earlier Iranian tricolours commonly displayed the Lion and Sun emblem in the centre. That emblem was replaced after the 1979 revolution.
When did the current design appear?
The Islamic Republic emblem and 22-part inscription were standardized in 1980.
Iran flag facts
| Colors | Green, white, red |
|---|---|
| Central symbol | Islamic Republic emblem |
| Repeated phrase | Allahu Akbar |
| Repetitions | 22 |
| Current design | 1980 |
How can you identify Iran’s current flag?
Look first for the red emblem in the centre of the white stripe. Then check the two borders of the white band: the repeating white Kufic-style Allahu Akbar pattern is a defining feature of the current Islamic Republic flag.
Why do older Iran flags look different?
The green-white-red tricolour predates the Islamic Republic, so older flags can look similar at first glance. The key difference is the centre: pre-1979 state flags commonly used the Lion and Sun rather than the current red emblem.
Iran flag FAQ
How many times is Allahu Akbar repeated?
Twenty-two times.
What was the earlier central symbol?
The Lion and Sun.
When was the current emblem introduced?
After the 1979 revolution, with the current design standardized in 1980.
