Flag of Iraqجمهورية العراق

What the flag looks like

The Iraqi flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white (middle) and black (bottom), with the Arabic phrase 'الله أكبر' (Allahu Akbar, 'God is great') written in green Kufic script in the center of the white band. The proportion is 2:3. The current design was adopted on 22 January 2008, when the three stars that had previously appeared alongside the Takbir were removed.

Colors and meaning

Red represents courage, the blood shed for Iraqi independence and the sacrifice of Iraqi martyrs, white represents peace and a bright future, and black represents the dark years of oppression under foreign rule and the country's oil wealth. The green Takbir represents Islam and the unity of the Iraqi people.

Red

Represents courage, the blood shed by Iraqi patriots in the struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire and later from British rule, and the sacrifices of Iraqi martyrs in the country's many wars.

White

Represents peace, purity and hope for a bright future. White is the middle band and provides a neutral background for the green Takbir.

Black

Represents the dark years of oppression under Ottoman and British colonial rule, and the country's oil wealth — Iraq has some of the largest oil reserves in the world. Black is also a traditional color of the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled from Baghdad for five centuries.

Green Takbir

The Takbir — 'God is great' — represents Islam and the unity of the Iraqi people. Green is the traditional color of Islam and is used to write the Takbir on the flag.

Arab Liberation colors

The red, white and black bands are the Arab Liberation colors, first used by the Free Officers movement in Egypt in 1952 and later adopted by several Arab states. Iraq's flag is one of four Arab flags (along with Egypt, Syria and Yemen) that use this color scheme.

History and adoption

Iraq was part of the Ottoman Empire until World War I, when it was captured by British forces and became a British mandate. The first Iraqi flag was adopted in 1921, when Faisal I was installed as king — it featured the Arab Revolt colors (black, white and green) with a red triangle and two white stars. In 1958, following a military coup that overthrew the monarchy, the flag was changed to a red, white and black design with a yellow sun and a red star in the center, inspired by the Arab Liberation Flag. In 1963, three green stars were added to the white band. In 1991, following the Gulf War, the Takbir was added between the stars in Saddam Hussein's own handwriting. In 2004, following the fall of Saddam Hussein, the script was changed to a more modern Kufic font, and in 2008, the three stars were removed, leaving the current design.

Key facts

Adopted

22 January 2008

Proportion

2:3

Designer

Based on the 1963 Arab Liberation Flag design

Capital

Baghdad

Country code

IQ

Similar flags

Egypt, Syria, Yemen

Historical and related flags

Iraq has used several flags since its establishment in 1921.

• Kingdom of Iraq (1921–1959): Black, white and green bands with a red triangle and two white stars.
• Republic of Iraq (1959–1963): Red, white and black bands with a yellow sun and a red star.
• Republic of Iraq (1963–1991): Red, white and black bands with three green stars.
• Republic of Iraq (1991–2004): Same design with the Takbir added between the stars.
• Republic of Iraq (2004–2008): Same design with the Takbir in modern Kufic script.
• Current flag (2008–present): Takbir only, no stars.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Iraq look like?

The flag of Iraq has three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white (middle) and black (bottom), with the Takbir — 'God is great' — written in green Kufic script in the center of the white band. The proportion is 2:3.

When was the flag of Iraq adopted?

The current flag of Iraq was officially adopted on 22 January 2008.

What do the colors mean?

Red represents courage, the blood shed for Iraqi independence and the sacrifice of Iraqi martyrs, white represents peace and a bright future, and black represents the dark years of oppression under foreign rule and the country's oil wealth. The green Takbir represents Islam and the unity of the Iraqi people.

Which flags look similar to the Iraq flag?

Egypt, Syria and Yemen use the same red-white-black tricolor with different emblems in the white band — Egypt with the Eagle of Saladin, Syria with two green stars, and Yemen with no emblem. Iraq uses the green Takbir as its emblem.