As the above picture of the Iraqi Flag indicates a tricolor of Red, Black and white
The description of the Iraq Flag is as follows:
Three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black
Three green five-pointed stars in a horizontal line centered in the white band
The phrase ALLAHU AKBAR (God is Great) in green Arabic script - Allahu to the right of the middle star and Akbar to the left of the middle star - was added in January 1991 during the Persian Gulf crisis
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Iraqi flag represent the following:
White - peace and honesty
Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour
Black - Determination
The basic style shown in the picture of the Iraqi flag is described as Emblem - reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Iraqi flag is described as 2:3 ( length 1½ times the height )
The Meaning & History of the Iraqi Flag
The original text on the Iraqi flag was from the Ba'ath party motto, "Wihda, Hurriyah, Ishtirrakiyah" (Unity, Freedom, Socialism)
The decision to replace the words with"Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) on the Iraqi flag was made by Saddam Hussein
It is believed that the words on the Iraqi flag are in Saddam Hussein's own handwriting
The current Iraqi national flag was adopted on January 14, 1991
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Iraqi Flag Etiquette
Iraqi Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Iraqi as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Iraqi
State Flag of Iraqi
Military Flag of Iraqi (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Iraqi
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Iraqi Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Iraqi should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Iraqi flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Iraqi should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Iraqi flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Iraqi, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Iraqi Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Iraqi flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Iraqi flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Iraqi flag to the top, then lowering the Iraqi Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Iraqi flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Iraqi flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Iraqi flag
The Iraqi flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Iraqi flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Iraqi flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Iraqi Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Iraqi Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
Iraq
Location:
Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait
Iraqi Land Size : 432,162 sq km
Iraqi Climate / Weather : mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq
Iraqi Population : 25,374,691 (July 2004 est.)
Iraqi Capital City: Baghdad
Iraqi GDP: $38.79 billion (2003 est.)
Iraqi Main Industries : petroleum, chemicals, textiles, construction materials, food processing
Iraqi Currency : New Iraqi dinar (NID) as of 22 January 2004
Main Colors of the Iraqi Flag : Red, Black and white
Concise History of Iraq & its Flag
3500 BC Mesopotamia, known as the world's first civilization, developed in South Eastern Iraq
539 BC Mesopotamia was conquered by the Persians
332 BC Alexander the Great conquers the Persians
226 AD The Persian Sassanid dynasty took control of Mesopotamia
126 BC The Greek rule ended when the Parthians established control of Iraq
633AD Arab Muslims conquer the Sassanids and Iraq
750 The Abbasids conquer the Islamic world. Baghdad was founded as the capital
1258 Mesopatamia and its capital Baghdad falls to Mongol invaders led by the grandson of Genghis Khan. The Arab Empire was destroyed
1500s The Ottoman Empire conquers the region
1700s The Ottoman power in Mesopotamia begins to decline
1800s Great Britain becomes involved with Mesapotamia needing to protect their trade routes with India and the East
1914-1918 World War I
1917 British troops occupy Baghdad
1920 The League of Nations give Great Britain a mandate to rule over Mesopotamia
1920 The San Remo Peace Conference of Allied Powers. Mesopotamia is renamed Iraq
1921 The British set up King Faisal I as the monarch and control the government
1925 The League of Nations sets the border between Turkey and Iraq which places the Mosul region in Iraq rather than Turkey against the wishes of the Kurdish population
1932 Iraq become independent
1937 April 28 - Saddam Hussein was born
1939 WW11 breaks out
1940-1941 The Iraqi government allies with Germany, Italy and Japan seeking to rid Iraq of British power and influence
1941 Great Britain defeat Iraq
1945 End of WW11 and Iraq helps to form the Arab League
1948 The Arab League declares war against the newly formed Israel
1950-1952 Iraq signs agreements with foreign oil companies and receives 50% of the oil profits
1953 Faisal II became king of Iraq
1950s Many Iraqis began to oppose the monarchy. They wanted a say in the government
1955 Iraq signed the Baghdad Pact with Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey
1958 Iraq becomes a republic during a military coup and the monarchy is killed
1979 Saddam Hussein succeeds Al-Bakr as Iraqi President 1980 Iraq invades Iran 17 January 1991 A coalition of 39 countries begin bombing Iraq starting the Persian Gulf War
This information focuses on the history of Iraq and does not address modern-day events
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The Iraqi Flag and Nation
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Iraqi Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!
