Flag of Afghanistanافغانستان

What the flag looks like

Afghanistan's flag status has been contested since the Taliban took power in August 2021. The internationally recognized flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan consists of three vertical bands of black (hoist), red (center) and green (fly), with the national emblem in white in the center of the red band. The Taliban government uses a different flag — a black field with the shahada in white. The Islamic Republic's flag was adopted on 19 August 2013, the 94th anniversary of Afghan independence from Britain.

Colors and meaning

Black represents the dark history of Afghanistan and the many foreign invasions the country has endured, red represents the blood shed for Afghan independence, and green represents hope, prosperity and Islam. The white emblem in the center contains a mosque with a mihrab, a minbar, wheat sheaves and the shahada.

Black band

Represents the dark history of Afghanistan and the many foreign invasions that the country has resisted — from the Persian, Greek, Arab, Mongol and British empires. Black has been used on Afghan flags since the 18th century.

Red band

Represents the blood shed by Afghan patriots in the struggle for independence from Britain, achieved in 1919, and the sacrifices of the Afghan people throughout their history.

Green band

Represents hope, prosperity and Islam — the dominant religion of Afghanistan. Green is the traditional color of Islam and appears on many Muslim national flags.

Central emblem

The white emblem in the center contains a mosque with a mihrab (prayer niche) and a minbar (pulpit), flanked by wheat sheaves, with the shahada above and the year 1298 in the Islamic calendar below. The wheat sheaves represent agriculture and prosperity, and the shahada represents the Islamic faith of the Afghan people.

Contested status

Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, the Islamic Republic's flag has been used by Afghan embassies and representatives abroad, while the Taliban government uses a black flag with the shahada. The United Nations and most foreign governments have not recognized the Taliban government or its flag, and continue to recognize the Islamic Republic's flag as the national flag of Afghanistan.

History and adoption

Afghanistan has changed its flag more often than almost any other country, reflecting its turbulent political history. Since 1880, the country has used at least 20 different national flags. The black-red-green tricolor was first adopted in 1928 under King Amanullah Khan, briefly removed, and restored in 1930. Since then, the flag has been changed many times — during the monarchy, the republic (1973), the communist era (1978 and 1980), the mujahideen government (1992), the Taliban's first rule (1996–2001), and the Islamic Republic (2001). The version adopted on 19 August 2013 removed the date 1348 from the emblem and standardized the design. After the Taliban retook power in 2021, the Islamic Republic's flag continued to be used by the country's representatives abroad and by resistance movements within Afghanistan.

Key facts

Adopted

19 August 2013 (contested since 2021)

Proportion

2:3

Designer

Based on the 1928 tricolor design, with the current emblem

Capital

Kabul

Country code

AF

Similar flags

None

Historical and related flags

Afghanistan has used more than 20 different national flags across its history.

• Emirate of Afghanistan (1880–1901): Plain black flag.
• Emirate of Afghanistan (1901–1919): Black flag with a white emblem.
• Kingdom of Afghanistan (1919–1928): Black field with the royal emblem.
• First tricolor (1928–1929): Black, red and green tricolor with the royal emblem.
• Kingdom of Afghanistan (1930–1973): Black, red and green with the national emblem.
• Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978): Same design with a modified emblem.
• Communist era (1978–1992): Various designs including a Soviet-style flag.
• Islamic State (1992–1996): Black, red and green with the shahada and sword.
• Taliban (1996–2001): Plain white flag with the shahada.
• Islamic Republic (2001–2021): Black, red and green with the national emblem.
• Taliban (2021–present): Black field with the shahada (contested, not internationally recognized).

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Afghanistan look like?

The internationally recognized flag of Afghanistan has three vertical bands of black (hoist), red (center) and green (fly), with the national emblem in white in the center of the red band. The proportion is 2:3. A different black-and-white flag has been used by the Taliban government since 2021.

When was the flag of Afghanistan adopted?

The current flag of Afghanistan was officially adopted on 19 August 2013 (contested since 2021).

What do the colors mean?

Black represents the dark history of Afghanistan and the many foreign invasions the country has endured, red represents the blood shed for Afghan independence, and green represents hope, prosperity and Islam. The white emblem in the center contains a mosque with a mihrab, a minbar, wheat sheaves and the shahada.

Which flags look similar to the Afghanistan flag?

No other national flag closely resembles Afghanistan's. The combination of black, red and green vertical bands with a white emblem is unique.