Tunisia’s national flag has a red field with a white disc containing a red crescent and five-pointed star. Its basic design dates from the nineteenth century.

History and meaning

The flag was introduced under Husainid ruler Al-Husayn II Bey in the 1830s as Tunisia modernised its naval symbols. Red reflects Ottoman and regional traditions, while the crescent and star are longstanding Islamic symbols.

• Origins: 1830s
• Colors: red and white
• Symbols: crescent and star