Hubbry Logo
Flag of IranFlag of IranMain
Open search
Flag of Iran
Community hub
Flag of Iran
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Flag of Iran
Flag of Iran
Flag of Iran
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Iran
Tricolour Flag of Iran
UseNational flag and ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is congruent with obverse side
Proportion4:7 (de jure) (see below)
Adopted7 October 1907; 118 years ago (1907-10-07) (original version)
29 July 1980; 45 years ago (1980-07-29) (current version)
DesignA horizontal tricolour of green, white, and red with the National Emblem in red centred on the white band and the Takbir written in the Kufic script in white, repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band, for a total of 22 times on the fringe of the bands reminiscent of 22 Bahman.
Designed byHamid Nadimi

The national flag of Iran, also known as the Tricolour Flag of Iran (Persian: پرچم سه‌رنگ ایران), is a tricolour featuring the Pan-Iranian colours comprising equal horizontal bands of green, white and red with the national emblem (Allah) in red centred on the white band and the takbir written 11 times each in the Kufic script in white, at the bottom of the green and the top of the red band.[1]

Originally adopted on 7 October 1907 with the lion and sun emblem in the center, the current flag was adopted on 29 July 1980[not verified in body] following the Iranian Revolution of 1979.

Many Iranian exiles opposed to the Iranian government use the Iranian monarchy tricolour flag with the Lion and Sun at the centre,[2] or the tricolour without additional emblems. This is, however, not the official flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Flag description

[edit]

Colour symbolism

[edit]

The Iranian flag, which was later designed under Darius I, symbolised this unity and victory (green above white and red) as the flag of the people of Iran.[3][need quotation to verify]

Colour scheme

[edit]
Green White Red
RGB 35/159/64 255/255/255 218/0/0
Hexadecimal #239f40 #FFFFFF #da0000
CMYK 78/0/60/38 0/0/0/0 0/100/100/15

Construction

[edit]

Physical requirements for the Iranian flag, a simple construction sheet, and a compass-and-straightedge construction for the emblem and the takbir are described in the national Iranian standard ISIRI 1.[4][5]

History

[edit]

Prehistory

[edit]
Shahdad Standard, ancient bronze flag found at Shahdad, c. 2400 BC. This flag is one of the oldest in human history.

The oldest flag found in Iran is the Bronze Age Shahdad Standard, found in Shahdad, Kerman province, dating back to c. 2400 BCE, made of bronze. It features a seated man and a kneeling woman facing each other, with a star in between. This iconography can be found in other Bronze Age pieces of art in the area as well.[6][7][8][9]

Achaemenid Empire

[edit]

The Old Persian word for "banner, standard" was drafša- (Avestan drafša-, Middle Persian drafš, cognate with Sanskrit drapsá-). Xenophon in Cyropaedia (7.1.4) describes the standard of Artaxerxes II at Cunaxa as "a golden eagle, with outspread wings, borne aloft on a long spear-shaft",[10] the same banner recorded to be used by Cyrus the Great.[11]

According to Herodotus (9.59), each Persian army division had its own standard, and "all officers had banners over their tents" (Xenophon, 8.5.13). One such banner, a square plaque in saltire, is depicted on a Greek vase, the so-called "Douris cup" held by the Louvre.[12] A similar design is known from an Urartian bronze disk from Altıntepe.[13] Similar square plaques on poles are known from six of the audience scenes of the Throne Hall relief at Persepolis.[14] The Alexander Mosaic of Pompeii, a Roman-era copy of a Hellenistic painting dated c. 320 BCE, also shows the royal Persian standard.,[15] depicted as a rectangular plaque, possibly originally in purple, with a dark red border with yellow dots. In the field, a golden bird is only partially preserved. The "royal falcon" of Persia (varəγna) represented farr 'glory', while the eagle was associated with the Achaemenid dynasty itself.[16]

A square tile representing a miniature (12 cm2) banner was discovered at Persepolis in 1948.[17] The tile is made of Egyptian blue frit and likely represents Ancient Egyptian Horus, but in the Persian context suggests local association with the Avestan varəγna or the royal eagle of the Achaemenids.[18]

Sassanid Empire

[edit]
Main article: Derafsh Kaviani
Derafsh Kaviani appearing in a coin of a local Persian dynasty that arose near Persepolis during the Seleucid reign.[19]

Seljuk Empire

[edit]

Various emblems and banners have been recorded to be used by the Seljuks in different periods. Early Seljuks were using their traditional emblems, but they gradually adopted local Muslim emblems and banners. The official flag of the empire was most probably a black flag, similar to the flag of the Abbasid Caliphate. The flag was decorated with emblems, which were either superimposed over it or was placed above the flag.[20] This black flag was traditionally presented to the Seljuk sovereigns by the Abbasid caliphs.[21]

A yellow flag was also used to denote Seljuk sovereignty over a town.[21]

Ghaznavid dynasty

[edit]

The Turkic Ghaznavid dynasty were invested in promoting Iranian culture. They are known to have displayed a number of heraldic emblems that harked back to pre-Islamic Iran, including the Sun and Lion motif, as well as the Griffin motif.[22] Their banners appear to have shown chequered motifs.[23]

Safavid dynasty

[edit]
Flag of Iran carried by the Persian delegation during Mohammad Reza Beg's visit to Versailles, August 1715

By the time the Safavids created a unified state and promoted Shiʿism as the national creed, the lion and sun had become a familiar sign everywhere—on copper coins, on banners, and on artworks. although various ʿalams and banners were employed by the Safavids, the lion and sun symbol had become by the time of Shah Abbas the recognised emblem of Persia. The association may originally have been based on a learned interpretation of the Shahnameh's references to "the Sun of Iran" and "the Moon of the Turanians/Turks." As noted earlier, the Sasanians had called their king “the Sun of the East” and the Roman emperor "the Moon of the West." The evidence of the Shahnameh was certainly well known to the Safavid kings. Since the crescent moon had been adopted as the dynastic and ultimately national emblem of the Ottoman sultans, who were the new sovereigns of “Rūm,” the Safavids of Persia, needing to have a dynastic and national emblem of their own, chose the lion and sun motif.[24]


Afsharid dynasty

[edit]

Nader Shah consciously avoided the using the colour green, as green was associated with Shia Islam and the Safavid dynasty.[25]

Imperial Standards of the Afsharid dynasty

The two imperial standards were placed on the right of the square already mentioned: one of them was in stripes of red, blue, and white, and the other of red, blue, white, and yellow, without any other ornament: though the old standards required 12 men to move them, the shah lengthened their staffs, and made them yet heavier; he also put new colours of silk upon them, the one red and yellow striped, the other yellow edged with red: they were made of such an enormous size, to prevent their being carried off by the enemy, except by an entire defeat. The regimental colours were a narrow slip of silk, sloped to a point, some were red, some white, and some striped.[26][27]

Navy Admiral flag being a white ground with a red Persian Sword in the middle.[28]

Flags

[edit]

  • An Imperial Standard of the Afsharid dynasty

  • Another Imperial Standard of the Afsharid dynasty

  • Nader Shah's flag

  • Naval flag of Afsharid period

Zand dynasty

[edit]

The state flag of the Zand dynasty was a white triangular pennant with a green border and a gold lion and sun in the centre.[29] Another version shown below included the same design but with green and red.

Flags

[edit]

  • Flag of the Zand dynasty

  • Another Flag of the Zand dynasty

  • The "Ya Karim" flag, which was a pun on Karim Khan Zand's name, and Al-Karim (the generous), which is one of the names of God in Islam

Early Qajar dynasty

[edit]

Few sources directly describe the national flag during Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar's reign. Gholam Hossein Afzal ol-Molk refers to the Beyraq Qapuq ('execution flag') of the Naserid period as originating from Agha Mohammad Khan's time.[30] This pennon flag is red and displays the lion and sun motif with a sword, although it is unlikely that the emblem resembled that of Agha Mohammad Khan's time given the sword-less design on the coins of this era. Several modern sources attribute a square flag with a red background and a pale yellow circle in the center, featuring a lion and a sun motif with a sword, to the period of Agha Mohammad Shah. The only visible source for this design is an unidentified portrait of Agha Mohammad Shah, where such a banner is present next to him. This painting was featured on the cover of the 1992 book Les Rois oubliés: L'épopée de la dynasty Kadjare, by Ali Mirza Qajar (grandson of Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar). Moreover, the painting was also photographed at a Qajar family gathering at Chateau de Bonmont, Cheserex, Switzerland in 2003.[31]

In contradistinction, various contemporary and modern sources provide more detailed descriptions of Iranian flags and the development of the lion and sun motif during Fath-Ali Shah's rule, particularly in military contexts. Colonel Gaspard Drouville, a French officer who served as a military instructor for the Iranian government after the signing of the Treaty of Finckenstein, authored a two-volume travelogue that offers additional information on Iranian flags and standards.[32]

The illustration from Drouville's Voyage en Perse depicts the smaller cavalry flag (left) and the larger infantry flag (right).

Drouville expounds that in 1813, Fath-Ali Shah Qajar and Abbas Mirza attended a royal inspection of the regular infantry in Azarbaijan to personally confer each standard to their respective corps.[33] These flags included the lion and sun motif, a date or number pertaining to the unit, and the inscription: "Sultan ibn Sultan Fath-Ali Shah Qajar" (Sultan son of Sultan Fath-Ali Shah Qajar), in reference to Abbas Mirza's title.[33] The flags and standards are further described as similar to those of the French, adorned with taffeta white streamers and golden fringes.[33] Based on Drouville's illustration, the larger flags of the regular infantry were painted red, and the flagpole was crowned by the silver Hand of Ali. The smaller standards that were prescribed to the cavalry lancers were a deep blue and featured a crouching lion brandishing a curved sword before a setting sun. These standards were topped by golden spears that were "as sharp as those of the Houlans".[34]

Illustration published by Lemercier & Cie, captioned: une revue d Abbas-Mirza, Ser-Bâz (Infanterie régulière).

An illustration by the French battle painter Joseph Louis Hippolyte Bellangé depicts Abbas Mirza reviewing Persian regular troops. The infantry corps carries a standard with a spearhead finial bearing a couchant lion and sun with a sword, similar to the cavalry flag of the Nezam lancers depicted by Drouville. However, as the work dates to 1835, two years after Abbas Mirza's death, the flag's design may be an artistic oversight.[35]

Sketch of a Qajar military drummer, infantryman and officer, including a sarbaz infantry banner from Yermolov's Collection of Notes on Persia in 1817.

In his accounts of the Russo-Persian war, Captain Yermolov, the Russian commander-in-chief in the Caucasus, documented the Iranian military in detail. One excerpt from his notes provides a vivid portrayal of a Nezam drummer, soldier, and officer carrying a Sarbaz infantry military banner dated to 1817. This banner, which shares many similarities with contemporary European regimental flags, features a lion and sun motif devoid of a sword within a white lozenge accented by a golden border. The light blue banner boasts a flagpole crowned by the silver Hand of Ali.[36]

Recreation of the regimental standards carried by the Qajar infantry corps in the painting of the Battle of Sultanabad at the Hermitage Museum.
A painting of the Iranian victory at the Battle of Sultanabad displaying the Napoleonic-style military banners held by the sarbaz infantry corps.

A painting, believed to be the work of Allahverdi Afshar between 1814 and 1817, which adorned the walls of Abbas Mirza's Ojan castle portrays the Iranian triumph at the Battle of Sultanabad on 13 February 1812. The painting exhibits Persian troops carrying banners of Napoleonic style, featuring the passant lion and sun equipped with a sword.[37]

No contemporary sources have made any other indications of a sword wielded by the lion until the reign of Mohammad Shah.[32] Nonetheless, this illustration provides valuable insight into the evolution of the emblem and its use on Iranian flags during the Qajar period.[38] However, Zoka mentions the inscription of a coin from the Urmia mint, dated 1833 (1249 AH), in which a couchant lion is depicted holding a sword. According to Zoka, these sources prove that the earliest representation of the sword-wielding lion and sun pre-dates the reign of Mohammad Shah and was likely institutionalised in the latter years of Fath-Ali Shah's reign.[38]

During Fath-Ali Shah's reign, the state flag and other flags adopted by the Iranian government purportedly opted for square or rectangular shapes over the pennon flags commonly used in earlier eras. Another distinction noted in the designs of the lion and sun depicted on coins and flags of Fath-Ali Shah's era relative to those of prior years is the appearance of the lion. Before the middle of Fath-Ali Shah's reign, a Persian lion, which is maneless and smaller in stature was prominent, whereas later depictions evolved to an African lion.[38] Towards the end of Fath-Ali Shah's reign the two common symbols of the Qajar empire were combined to include the Zulfiqar and the lion and sun in the official flag.[24]

While there is little evidence, several modern sources state that Fath-Ali Shah adopted three different state flags; a plain red flag with a couchant lion and sun motif as the war flag, a plain white flag with a couchant lion and sun for diplomatic purposes, and a green flag with a lion passant in front of the setting sun, wielding a sword during peacetime.[29][39]

Painting of the Iranian delegation to St. Petersburg. The standard-bearer is holding a white lion and sun flag, in which the lion is wielding a curved sword.

Alexis Soltykoff's Voyage en Perse includes an illustration depicting a standing lion wielding a sword. The painting is titled Entrée de l'ambassade de Perse a St. Petersbourg ('Entrance of the Persian Embassy to St. Petersburg') and shows the arrival of Mirza Abolhassan Khan Ilchi, then the Iranian ambassador to Russia, in 1838. The image features a Persian standard-bearer holding a rectangular flag with a lion passant, holding a curved sword in front of the setting sun. Atop the flagpole is the Hand of Ali finial. The painting was included in Soltykoff's book, which was published in 1851, several years after the events it depicts.[40]

French orientalist Louis Dupeux stated that one of the privileges enjoyed by the Shah of Iran was the right to "raise" several flags. Dubeux suggests that Mohammad Shah had two flags. He describes one of these flags as displaying the Zulfiqar while the other depicted a couchant lion and sun motif.[41]

The triangular banner of Mohammad Shah from the painting depicting the Battle of Ghurian.

While Iranian flags and military banners were largely uniform and similar in design by Mohammad Shah's reign, Ahmad Naqash's 1860 oil painting depicting the successful Iranian siege of the fort of Ghurian in 1837 serves as a contradictory source of information. Several noteworthy discrepancies arise. Firstly, the use of pennon banners is unusual as square and rectangular flags were more prominently used in Iran and adopted by the military at that time. Secondly, the sword-less lion and sun motif depicted in the painting is outdated. Thirdly, the white and green colour combination contradicts contemporary literature describing military banners and standards as being red or blue. According to Zoka, the painter may have relied on local designs as the work likely originated from Isfahan or Shiraz, where forts in the provinces often raised flags different from those in Tehran. Zoka also suggests that the Herat expedition's army could have reused dated standards predating the new designs.[40]

Under Nasser al-Din Shah, the principal flag was white with a green border on three sides and a lion and emblem in the centre.[42] There was also a naval ensign which had a red and green border and a civil ensign which looked the same as the naval ensign but without the lion and sun in the middle.

Flags

[edit]

  • Flag of Mohammad Khan

  • War flag of Fat′h Ali Shah

  • Diplomatic flag of Fat′h Ali Shah

  • Peace flag of Fat′h Ali Shah (version with sword)

  • Flag used during the reign of Mohammad Shah

  • Tricolour flag designed by Amir Kabir, State flag 1848–1852

  • State flag 1852–1907

  • Civil ensign until 1906

  • Naval ensign until 1906

  • Tricolour flag reported in 1886

Post-Constitutional Revolution

[edit]
State flag of Iran (1907–1933). This flag was standardised during the constitutional monarchy era, but the main flag elements were unchanged and described in the Iranian supplementary fundamental laws of 7 October 1907.

The first version of the modern Iranian tricolour was adopted in the wake of the Iranian Constitutional Revolution of 1906.[citation needed] The Supplementary Fundamental Laws of 7 October 1907 described the flag as a tricolour of green, white, and red, with a lion and sun emblem in the middle.[43] A decree dated 4 September 1910 specified the exact details of the emblem, including the shape of the lion's tail and the position and the size of the lion, the sword, and the sun.[2]

During this period, the colours of the flag were very pale, with the red appearing closer to pink in practice. There were three variants of the flag in use. The state flag was a tricolour with the lion and sun emblem in the centre. The national flag and civil ensign was a plain tricolour with no emblem. The naval ensign and war flag was similar to the state flag, but the emblem was surrounded by a wreath and surmounted by a crown. All three flags had a 1:3 ratio.[citation needed]

The flag was modified twice during the Pahlavi era. In 1933, the colours of the flag were darkened and the design of the emblem was changed. The sun's facial features were removed and the Kiani Crown on the naval ensign was replaced with the Pahlavi Crown.[citation needed] In 1964, the ratio was changed from 1:3 to 4:7 and the emblem on the naval ensign was shrunk to fit entirely within the white stripe.[citation needed]

Following the Iranian Revolution, the Interim Government of Iran removed the crown from the naval ensign. The old state and national flags remained unchanged until 29 July 1980, when the modern Iranian flag was adopted.[44][failed verification] However, the post-revolutionary Iranian government had viewed the Lion and Sun symbol as representing the "oppressive Westernising monarchy" that had to be replaced, despite the emblem's traditional Shi'a meanings and the lion's association with Ali, the first Imam of the Shi'a.[45] For that reason, the name of the Red Lion and Sun Society was changed to Red Crescent Society.

The political Iranian diaspora use the lion and sun emblem on Iranian flags.[2]

Currently, the Lion and Sun flag is used by Iranian communities in exile as a symbol of opposition to the Islamic Republic. Some political groups in Iran, including monarchists, continue to use it as well. In Los Angeles, California and other cities with large Iranian expatriate communities, the Lion and Sun, as a distinguishing marker, appears on Iranian flags and souvenirs to an extent that far surpasses its display during the years of monarchy in its homeland,[2] where the plain tricolour was usually used even prior to the revolution. After the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the replacement of the lion and sun flag with the new flag, new designs of this flag were still presented.

Historical flags

[edit]
Years in use Naval ensign Civil flag State flag
1736–1747
  • Naval flag of Nader Shah (1736–1747)
    Naval flag of Nader Shah
    (1736–1747)
  • Diplomatic flag of Nader Shah (1736–1747)
    Diplomatic flag of Nader Shah
    (1736–1747)
  • War flag of Nader Shah (1736–1747)
    War flag of Nader Shah
    (1736–1747)
1797–1834
  • War flag of Fat′h Ali Shah (1797–1834)
    War flag of Fat′h Ali Shah
    (1797–1834)
  • Diplomatic flag of Fat′h Ali Shah (1797–1834)
    Diplomatic flag of Fat′h Ali Shah
    (1797–1834)
  • Peace flag of Fat′h Ali Shah (1797–1834)
    Peace flag of Fat′h Ali Shah
    (1797–1834)
1834–1848
  • Flag used during the reign of Mohammad Shah (1834–1848)
    Flag used during the reign of Mohammad Shah
    (1834–1848)
1848–1852
1852–1906
1906–1907, 1910–1933
  • Naval ensign (1906–1907, 1910–1933)
    Naval ensign
    (1906–1907, 1910–1933)
  • State flag (1906–1933)
    State flag
    (1906–1933)
1933–1964
  • Naval ensign (1933–1964)
    Naval ensign
    (1933–1964)
  • State flag (1933–1964)
    State flag
    (1933–1964)
1964–1979
  • War flag and ensign (1964–1979)
    War flag and ensign
    (1964–1979)
  • State flag (1964–1979)
    State flag (1964–1979)
1979–1980
  • Naval ensign (1979–1980)
    Naval ensign
    (1979–1980)
  • State flag (1980)
    State flag
    (1980)
1980–present
  • Naval flag (1980–present)
    Naval flag
    (1980–present)
  • State flag (1980–present)
    State flag
    (1980–present)
[edit]
  • Iranian flag (as the Islamic Republic) in this photo.
    Iranian flag (as the Islamic Republic) in this photo.
  • Supporters of Hassan Rouhani with Islamic Republican flags plastered.
    Supporters of Hassan Rouhani with Islamic Republican flags plastered.
  • Child with the Islamic Republic flag during the 38th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.
    Child with the Islamic Republic flag during the 38th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution.
  • Flag of the Islamic Republic flying at the Iranian Embassy in Oslo.
    Flag of the Islamic Republic flying at the Iranian Embassy in Oslo.
  • Islamic Republican flag flown at Abshar Park.
    Islamic Republican flag flown at Abshar Park.
  • Residential Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Prague with the national flag.
    Residential Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Prague with the national flag.
  • Football fan holding the Islamic Republic flag.
    Football fan holding the Islamic Republic flag.
  • Two flags of the Imperial Lion and Sun flying.
    Two flags of the Imperial Lion and Sun flying.
  • Soldiers in the parade with the series of Imperial flags during the 2,500 year celebration of the Persian Empire.
    Soldiers in the parade with the series of Imperial flags during the 2,500 year celebration of the Persian Empire.
  • Political activist Hassan Dai addressing in Toronto with the Imperial flag.
    Political activist Hassan Dai addressing in Toronto with the Imperial flag.
  • Ayatollah Ali Khamenei inspecting troops with the Islamic Republic military colours during a special ceremony.
    Ayatollah Ali Khamenei inspecting troops with the Islamic Republic military colours during a special ceremony.
  • Mohammad Bagheri speaking with the Islamic Republic and military flags at the background.
    Mohammad Bagheri speaking with the Islamic Republic and military flags at the background.
  • Lap of Honor of Kimia Alizade during 2016 Summer Olympics with the Islamic Republic tricolour flag of Iran
    Lap of Honor of Kimia Alizade during 2016 Summer Olympics with the Islamic Republic tricolour flag of Iran
  • A number of Imperial flags seen in Germany in solidarity during the Mahsa Amini protests, October 2022.
    A number of Imperial flags seen in Germany in solidarity during the Mahsa Amini protests, October 2022.
  • Sadeq Tabatabaei speaking at a post-revolution press conference with the Imperial flag behind him.
    Sadeq Tabatabaei speaking at a post-revolution press conference with the Imperial flag behind him.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Flag of Iran

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran consists of three equal horizontal bands of green at the top, white in the center, and red at the bottom; the white band displays the national emblem in red—a stylized tulip-like form comprising four crescents supporting a sword, representing the word "Allah" and evoking martyrdom—while the phrase "Allahu Akbar" ("God is great") appears in white stylized Kufic script, repeated eleven times interlocking along the lower edge of the green band and eleven times along the upper edge of the red band, for a total of twenty-two repetitions.
Adopted on 29 July 1980 in the wake of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the design supplanted the Lion and Sun emblem that had adorned a similar tricolour flag since the Constitutional Revolution of 1906 under the Qajar and subsequent Pahlavi dynasties, marking a deliberate shift from symbols rooted in Persian imperial and pre-Islamic heritage to those emphasizing Shia Islamic theology and revolutionary ideology.
The green stripe signifies Islam and prosperity, white denotes peace and purity, and red represents the blood of martyrs and courage; the emblem alludes to the oneness of God and the five pillars of Islam, with the inscription count referencing the Revolution's triumph on 22 Bahman 1357 in the Persian calendar (corresponding to 11 February 1979). While serving as the state's civil, state, and war flag, its imposition has fueled contention, as substantial segments of the Iranian populace, including protesters and expatriates, reject it in favor of the pre-revolutionary version, viewing the current iteration as emblematic of theocratic suppression rather than national unity.

Design and Symbolism

Construction and Proportions

The current flag of Iran consists of three equal horizontal stripes: at the top, in the middle, and red at the bottom, with the central placed on the stripe. The overall proportions are 4:7, meaning the height is to the width as 4 is to 7. Each stripe has a height equal to one-third of the total flag height. The official colors are specified as for green, for red, and for the middle stripe. These colors adhere to the standards set following the flag's adoption on , 1980. The central , a stylized form resembling a with eleven interlocking segments derived from script representing the name "," is topped by a horizontal . It is centered on the white stripe and occupies one-third of the flag's height, with the sword's length equal to the height of one stripe. The design follows a geometric detailed in national standards for precise replication, ensuring symmetry and proportional integrity.

Color Scheme

The color scheme of the Iranian comprises three equal horizontal bands of (top), (center), and red (bottom), forming a tricolour palette that emphasizes visual balance and durability in official manufacturing standards. These Pan-Iranian colors trace their origins to 19th-century flags, where green-white-red combinations appeared in military and state banners as early as the under Naser al-Din , reflecting continuity in Persian heraldic traditions rather than novel invention. Standardization of the shades occurred in 1933 under Pahlavi, who enacted modifications to ensure uniformity across state-issued flags, shifting from earlier variable dyes to more consistent formulations for national cohesion. Pre-synthetic era reds, derived from natural sources like madder root, exhibited variability in hue and proneness to fading under sunlight exposure, necessitating empirical testing for official fabrics; post-1980 adoption of synthetic aniline-based reds improved lightfastness, with Iranian state protocols requiring flags to retain color integrity for at least five years in outdoor conditions. The 1980 redesign following the Islamic Revolution preserved this exact tricolour scheme without alteration to the base hues, as stipulated in official decrees from the Islamic Consultative Assembly, which mandated adherence to the pre-revolutionary palette while updating emblematic elements. Contemporary specifications approximate the green as Pantone 355 C (a medium emerald tone), white as neutral, and red as Pantone 186 C (bright crimson), though production tolerances allow minor variations for fabric type; no further hue adjustments have been decreed since, ensuring empirical stability across government-issued variants.
Color BandPantone EquivalentHEX CodeRGB Values
Green (top)355 C#239F40(35, 159, 64)
White (center)White#FFFFFF(255, 255, 255)
Red (bottom)186 C#CE1126(206, 17, 38)

Central Emblem and Stylized Script

The central emblem of the Iranian flag consists of a stylized rendition of the Arabic phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) inscribed eleven times to form a central sword-like blade, flanked by symmetrical curved extensions resembling tulips or crescents, and surmounted by a shadda (a diacritical mark denoting gemination in Arabic script), all rendered in red Kufic calligraphy against the white horizontal band. This design, which evokes a ruby-like gemstone in its angular facets, draws from Kufic script traditions originating in 7th-8th century Iraq for Quranic and architectural inscriptions, adapted here into a compact, interlocking motif. Adopted as part of the flag redesign on 29 July 1980, the was created by architect Hamid Nadimi, whose submission won a national launched in spring 1979 to replace the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun device—a with roots in ancient Mesopotamian and zodiacal used by Persian dynasties since the 12th century. Archival records of the confirm the deliberate pivot from a secular, royal to one grounded in calligraphic abstraction, aligning with post-1979 institutional priorities for visual reform. The emblem's technical construction follows a precise geometric protocol outlined in Iran's national standard ISIRI 6911, beginning with a circle inscribed with a ten-pointed star to define proportions, followed by iterative and intersections that yield the script's curves and the overall height-to-width ratio approximating 4:7 for the flag. These proportions reflect mathematical symmetries common in Persian-Islamic art, such as those in tilework and illumination, ensuring and aesthetic harmony without reliance on freehand drawing. For official production, the emblem is rendered via high-precision printing on synthetic fabrics or embroidery with fine threads to capture the script's sharp angles and overlaps, as specified in state manufacturing guidelines to maintain uniformity across scales from handheld banners to building-sized displays.

Official Symbolism

The Iranian government's official interpretation of the flag's tricolor, codified following the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the flag's adoption on July 29, 1980, assigns ideological significance rooted in Shia ic principles and revolutionary themes. The green horizontal band at the top symbolizes , divine favor, and prosperity or growth; the central white band represents peace, honesty, and purity; and the bottom red band denotes martyrdom, courage, and the blood of the faithful. The red central emblem, a stylized form of the word "Allah" composed of intersecting geometric elements resembling a tulip, officially signifies the oneness of God (tawhid) and the sacrifice of martyrs, drawing on Persian poetic traditions where the tulip emerges from spilled blood to evoke resurrection and resistance. This motif also alludes to defensive resolve, paralleling Shia commemorations of Ashura and the imperative to safeguard the Islamic order against adversaries. Fringing the inner edges of the green and red bands, the phrase "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Great") appears in red script eleven times along each, for a total of twenty-two repetitions, directly referencing the revolutionary chants that marked the regime's triumph on , 1979 (22 Bahman 1357 in the Iranian ). This inscription reinforces the flag's embodiment of post-revolutionary Shia governance, including the principle of wilayat al-faqih (guardianship of the jurist), as established under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. State publications and institutions have disseminated this symbolism since , mandating its exposition in schools, official media, and public spaces to inculcate ideological fidelity, with treated as an offense against national under Iran's penal provisions.

Critical and Alternative Interpretations

Critics of the current Iranian flag's central emblem argue that its tulip-like form, officially stylized as the word "" intertwined with a , deliberately supplants the pre-revolutionary lion-and-sun motif, which traces its origins to ancient Iranian symbolizing solar divinity and royal authority akin to Mithraic traditions predating . This replacement, enacted in following the Islamic , is viewed by opposition as an intentional erasure of Zoroastrian-influenced symbols—evident in Achaemenid-era depictions of solar lions—to impose Shia martyrological imagery tied to Husayn ibn Ali's martyrdom, thereby prioritizing sectarian over Iran's pluralistic pre-Islamic heritage. Alternative interpretations of the flag's tricolor scheme contend that the green, white, and red bands, inherited from the Pahlavi era where they evoked Persian nationalism—green for growth and ancient fertility symbols, white for purity, and red for valor—have been repurposed to signal Islamic governance, with green particularly emphasizing Shia rituals like processions rather than encompassing Iran's diverse ethnic and secular identities. Iranian dissidents, including exile groups, assert this co-optation masks an Arabo-Islamic overlay on indigenous Persian motifs, as the addition of the emblem and Kufic-script "Allahu Akbar" repeated 22 times (commemorating the revolution's date in the Persian ) enforces ideological conformity at the expense of broader national cohesion. From a causal perspective, the flag's fosters division by embedding theocratic imperatives—such as the sword evoking and the script's angular form, an innovation post-7th century conquest without direct pre-Islamic Iranian precedents—over unifying secular or Zoroastrian elements, resulting in widespread rejection among non-Shia and secular populations. This alienation manifests empirically in the Iranian diaspora's preference for the lion-and-sun flag during protests and events, as documented in opposition gatherings since the 2009 Green Movement and intensified after 2022 unrest, where the current flag is shunned for legitimizing the regime. Linguists critiquing the script's adaptation note that while evolved in Persia for Quranic use after the invasions, its stylization dilutes native Pahlavi-derived motifs, subordinating Persian linguistic evolution to imported Islamic orthography for ends.

Historical Evolution

Pre-Islamic and Early Periods

In the (c. 550–330 BCE), standardized national flags did not exist; military forces instead utilized derafsh, functional standards or banners primarily for unit identification and cohesion during campaigns. Greek historian records that each division of the Persian army carried its own distinct standard, while officers displayed banners above their tents to denote command positions (, Histories 9.59). Reliefs at depict imperial processions with attendants bearing objects that may represent poles or standards, though no explicit banners survive archaeologically, indicating their ephemeral nature tied to royal and military authority rather than enduring national symbolism. These standards symbolized divine favor and hierarchical order, as evidenced by Achaemenid inscriptions linking kings to , but lacked precursors to tricolor designs or popular identity markers. The Parthian Empire (247 BCE–224 CE), succeeding the Seleucids in Iran, continued the use of similar military banners influenced by steppe nomadic traditions, though direct archaeological evidence remains limited to textual allusions in Greco-Roman accounts of cavalry standards. These were ad hoc symbols of tribal or royal allegiance, often featuring animal motifs for martial prowess, without standardization or permanence beyond campaigns. During the Sasanian Empire (224–651 CE), the Derafsh-e Kaviani emerged as the preeminent imperial standard, embodying royal and mythical legitimacy rather than proto-national identity. Later Islamic sources describe it as a jeweled banner, possibly derived from leather or fabric adorned with gems, carried into battle as a focal point of loyalty and captured during the Muslim conquest at al-Qadisiyyah in 636 CE. Sasanian coinage and seals depict royal iconography like fire altars and winged symbols, but rarely explicit banners, underscoring their role in signifying imperial might over civilian or territorial representation; Chinese records from the Tang era corroborate Persian envoys presenting standards symbolizing sovereignty during diplomatic exchanges. Pre-Islamic banners overall reflected causal ties to autocratic authority and nomadic heritage, transitioning abruptly under Arab invasions without establishing fixed designs for the emerging Islamic polities.

Medieval Islamic Dynasties

During the Ghaznavid dynasty (977–1186 CE), military banners were predominantly red, often adorned with checkered square emblems to distinguish units on the battlefield, reflecting practical needs over elaborate symbolism amid expansions into eastern and . The preceding (819–999 CE) utilized plain black banners, emblematic of Abbasid-influenced Islamic governance, with potential script inscriptions underscoring Persian cultural revival. The Seljuk Sultanate (1037–1194 CE) marked a synthesis of Turkish nomadic traditions and Islamic iconography, potentially introducing the lion-and-sun motif on coins and standards as a solar emblem denoting royal authority and martial strength, bridging pre-Islamic Persian motifs with Sunni caliphal legitimacy. Under the (1501–1736 CE), which established Twelver as , flags evolved to feature the lion-and-sun on green fields, with red accents symbolizing the martyrdom of Imam Ali and ties to zodiacal lore from the Feridun myth, serving as identifiers in conflicts against Sunni Ottomans while asserting dynastic continuity. Nader Shah's Afsharid conquests (1736–1747 CE) shifted toward utilitarian standards, including red-yellow lion-and-sun banners or multi-striped designs eschewing Safavid green to emphasize military efficiency over sectarian colors, facilitating rapid campaigns from to the . The Zand dynasty (1751–1794 CE) adopted simplified triangular banners in white, green, and black with the lion-and-sun, prioritizing tribal confederation symbols to consolidate power in post-Nader's chaos, maintaining motif continuity for familiarity amid fragmented loyalties. Across these dynasties, the lion-and-sun persisted as a resilient , adapting from markers to royal assertions, evidencing causal continuity in Persianate identity despite Turkic, Mongol, and Shia-Sunni upheavals.

Qajar and Early Modern Era

During the early (1789–1834), Persian flags exhibited regional and military variations centered on the motif, depicting a wielding a sword beneath a radiant sun to signify monarchical authority and celestial auspices. Under Fath Ali (r. 1797–1834), this gained prominence on standards and banners, as evidenced in depictions from the (1804–1813 and 1826–1828), where flags often featured red fields with the for wartime use. The Imperial Order of the , instituted by Fath Ali , further embedded the symbol in state regalia, underscoring its role as a pillar of Qajar alongside Islamic elements. By the late 19th century, amid growing centralization efforts, flags retained the but showed inconsistencies in coloration and form across provinces and armed forces. The Constitutional Revolution of 1905–1906 prompted calls for a standardized national banner to embody emerging constitutional principles and unity, culminating in the Supplementary Fundamental Laws of October 7, 1907, which codified a horizontal tricolour of green, white, and red stripes with the central emblem—initially without a crown under Mozaffar al-Din Shah (r. 1896–1907). This design echoed European tricolours, such as the reversed colors of the Bulgarian flag, reflecting diplomatic exposures and modernization drives during Qajar interactions with foreign powers. Subsequent refinements in the early 20th century focused on emblem clarity for reproduction, including adjustments to the lion's posture and sun rays, while preserving the core tricolour layout until the dynasty's end—laying groundwork for nascent Persian nationalism without altering the fundamental symbolism.

Pahlavi Dynasty and Tricolor Adoption

Reza Shah Pahlavi, who founded the Pahlavi dynasty in 1925 following the overthrow of the Qajar dynasty, retained the horizontal tricolor design of green, white, and red established under constitutional rule but pursued standardization as part of his secular modernization efforts to centralize state authority and promote national unity. In 1933, he decreed modifications to darken the shades of the colors for a more somber and uniform appearance, while simplifying the central lion-and-sun emblem by removing facial features from the sun and refining the lion's pose to emphasize clarity and producibility amid expanding state symbolism. These changes aligned with Reza Shah's coronation edicts invoking ancient Persian heritage, positioning the flag as a marker of pre-Islamic revival and independence from Ottoman-influenced designs. The -and-sun motif, retained at the flag's center, symbolized strength and virility through the —a recurring Iranic of kingship traceable to Achaemenid-era —and enlightenment via the radiant sun, representing divine glory and tied to Zoroastrian solar veneration predating . Shah's regime promoted this interpretation to underscore causal links between imperial Persian prowess and modern state-building, deploying the flag prominently in parades from to to instill discipline and national pride during reforms. Under his rule, flag usage expanded with industrialization, as state factories increased output to supply schools, barracks, and public ceremonies, reflecting empirical growth in national regalia production tied to broader economic centralization. Upon 's abdication in 1941, his son Mohammad Reza Shah continued the tricolor with lion-and-sun through 1979, integrating it into key nationalist episodes such as the 1951 oil nationalization crisis, where the flag was ceremonially hoisted over the to signify sovereignty over British-controlled assets. During the reforms launched in 1963, the flag appeared in state media and rallies promoting land redistribution and as extensions of Pahlavi , though official symbolism emphasized continuity with pre-revolutionary heritage rather than doctrinal shifts. Imperial standards occasionally incorporated the from 1971 onward for royal use, but the national flag avoided such additions to maintain republican-era proportions and avoid monarchical overtones in civilian contexts.

Islamic Revolution and 1980 Redesign

Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which established the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the national flag was modified to sever ties with the Pahlavi monarchy's lion-and-sun emblem, viewed as a symbol of secular authoritarianism or "taghut." During the transitional period from February 1979 to mid-1980, the pre-revolutionary green-white-red tricolor persisted in official use without immediate formal changes, though public displays often featured ad hoc additions like revolutionary slogans or black mourning borders to denote the fall of the shah. To formalize a new design aligned with theocratic principles, a national competition for a replacement emblem was launched in spring 1979. Architect Hamid Nadimi's submission—a highly stylized rendition of the word "" formed by four crescents and a central sword-like element—prevailed among entries, emphasizing Islamic identity over pre-Islamic or monarchical motifs. Khomeini personally approved Nadimi's emblem on May 9, 1980, as the core of the flag representing divine sovereignty. The full flag, integrating this emblem on the white stripe and the Takbir phrase "Allahu Akbar" (repeated 11 times per edge in Kufic script to total 22, denoting the date of the revolution's victory in the Persian calendar), was ratified by the government on July 29, 1980, amid efforts to solidify revolutionary institutions. The redesign deliberately discarded the lion-and-sun to repudiate monarchical legitimacy, while preserving the tricolor—green for and growth, white for peace, red for martyrdom—to invoke nominal continuity with Iran's 1906 constitutional era, despite the revolution's rupture with that framework. Enforcement followed through state protocols, replacing prior variants in public and military contexts, with no subsequent modifications despite the 1989 constitutional amendments.

Usage and Protocols

Domestic Regulations and Etiquette

The national flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as defined in Article 18 of the , must adhere to precise specifications including a 4:7 and the green stripe positioned uppermost when displayed, with usage regulated to ensure reverence through national standards like ISIRI 1. It holds precedence over all other banners domestically, flown freely without obstruction on government buildings and during official proceedings, typically from dawn until dusk to symbolize vigilance and state authority. Acts of , such as burning or defacing the , fall under ta'zir offenses in the Islamic Penal Code or revolutionary court jurisdictions for crimes against and public order, with penalties including imprisonment of up to several years, fines, or like lashes depending on judicial discretion. In practice, such violations have resulted in severe sentences; for example, two Azerbaijani Turkish minority activists received 10-year terms in 2015 for alleged burning, accompanied by reports of during interrogation. Half-masting the flag for mourning has been explicitly banned since July 2007 to avoid inverting or compromising the central emblem's stylized rendition of "Allah," with remembrances for martyrs instead employing black mourning flags or other symbolic gestures at sites like shrines and cemeteries. Enforcement of these protocols is overseen by state security apparatus, including the (IRGC), which actively monitors compliance in public spaces and suppresses infractions, as evidenced by heightened interventions during the 2009 post-election unrest where symbolic acts challenging regime emblems were quashed amid broader crackdowns involving thousands of arrests. Subnational flags or emblems, such as those for provinces, lack official autonomy and remain strictly subordinate to the national design, a policy reinforced after the 1979 Revolution to centralize symbolism under the 's unitary framework with no provisions for regional variations.

Diplomatic and Military Applications

The national flag of is incorporated into the uniforms of personnel serving in the , typically as a patch on attire to denote national allegiance and operational duty. Military vehicles and installations also display the flag in accordance with standard protocols for state symbols in armed forces operations, emphasizing unity and sovereignty. In naval contexts, the utilizes the national flag as its ensign, with a dedicated naval jack featuring the central emblem on a green field to distinguish commissioned vessels during deployments. Diplomatic applications include the continuous display of Iran's flag at headquarters in New York since the country's admission as a founding member on October 24, 1945, maintaining state representation irrespective of post-1979 design alterations. Iranian ambassadors and envoys adhere to oaths of office that pledge fidelity to the , including guardianship of the official flag as a symbol of territorial integrity and revolutionary principles. In state-sponsored events, protocols subordinate the flag's prominence to contextual themes: it is flown at full mast during Nowruz observances on March 20–21, aligning with national renewal festivities where public spaces feature tricolor displays. Conversely, during Muharram processions commemorating Imam Hussein's martyrdom, black religious banners predominate at shrines and urban centers, such as the massive standard hoisted in Tehran's Taleghani Park on the eve of the month, signaling mourning over secular state symbolism.

International Variations and Incidents

During the , the posted images of 's national flag on social media without the central emblem of the , depicting only the horizontal tricolor stripes, as a gesture of solidarity with Iranian protesters demanding and against government repression. The posts, shared on November 27, 2022, ahead of the teams' group stage match, were deleted hours later after backlash, with U.S. Soccer stating the removal aimed to support those "fighting for basic ." 's Football Federation responded by lodging a formal with , demanding the U.S. team's expulsion from the tournament for "offending the dignity" of and urging disciplinary action. dismissed the complaint on November 28, 2022, ruling no violation occurred, though the incident heightened pre-match tensions. In the context of the 1979-1981 , Iranian flags faced destruction in the United States as public expressions of outrage over the seizure of 52 American diplomats and citizens at the U.S. Embassy in on November 4, 1979. Demand for Iranian flags surged among American protesters in November 1979, with vendors reporting spikes in sales specifically for burning during demonstrations in cities like , symbolizing rejection of the revolutionary government's actions. Such burnings occurred amid widespread anti-Iran sentiment, contrasting with Iranian state-sponsored events where U.S. flags were routinely incinerated to commemorate the embassy takeover. Iranian diaspora communities have displayed variations of the flag at international protests, often juxtaposing the current design with the pre-1979 emblem to signify opposition to the . In and July 2025, global rallies against Iranian regime policies and regional conflicts featured debates over flag choice, with some participants waving the official tricolor alongside the imperial-era version to highlight divided opposition factions. These mixed displays, documented in events from to European cities, underscored symbolic tensions, as the flag evoked pre-revolutionary heritage while the current flag was sometimes repurposed or rejected by exiles.

Controversies and Reception

Symbolism in Domestic Protests

During the 2009 Green Movement protests against alleged in the , Iranian demonstrators employed the as a of opposition by displaying emblem-free versions, stripping away the central stylized of the to signify rejection of the theocratic regime while preserving the green-white-red tricolor stripes as a marker of pre-revolutionary . This selective targeted the emblem's association with post-1979 Islamist governance, reflecting protesters' aim to reclaim Persian heritage from what they viewed as imposed religious symbolism. In the 2022 nationwide protests sparked by the in morality police custody on September 16, 2022, similar patterns emerged, with video footage and reports documenting demonstrators waving altered flags—often inverted, stripped of the emblem, or overlaid with protest slogans—to symbolize resistance against compulsory enforcement and broader theocratic control. These acts underscored a causal distinction: retention of the tricolor base asserted continuity with Iran's secular nationalist tradition, while excision or inversion of the emblem critiqued its representation of divine authority and clerical rule, as evidenced by widespread documentation of such modifications during urban clashes in cities like and . The Iranian has consistently interpreted in these contexts as "mohareb" (enmity against ), a charge under Article 279 of the Islamic Penal Code encompassing acts deemed to wage war on Islamic order, punishable by , , or . Empirical patterns from suppressions link such symbolism to arrests and trials, with authorities framing removal or burning as insurgent threats to state legitimacy, though convictions often bundle flag acts with broader unrest charges amid opaque judicial processes. This response reinforces the flag's dual role: a regime of ideological unity versus a protester tool for dissecting national from partisan symbolism.

Opposition Symbols and Pre-Revolutionary Flag Revival

Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the pre-revolutionary flag—characterized by horizontal tricolors of green, white, and red with a central lion-and-sun emblem—was officially banned in , yet it persisted as a covert symbol among dissidents through smuggling and underground networks. Opposition figures and exiles adopted it to evoke secular nationalism and resistance to theocratic rule, viewing the emblem's lion as a signifier of Persian strength and kingship, and the sun as emblematic of enlightenment and pre-Islamic heritage, in contrast to the post-revolutionary flag's Arabic-script invocation of . Monarchist groups particularly championed its revival, associating it with the Pahlavi era's modernization efforts, including infrastructure development and women's rights expansions under Mohammad Reza Shah from 1941 to 1979. The flag gained prominence during the 2022 protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death in custody, where demonstrators in and abroad waved it despite severe risks of arrest for displaying prohibited symbols. Iranian fans attempting to enter the national team's match against on November 21, 2022, were denied entry for carrying the pre-revolutionary design, highlighting its role as a protest emblem even in international contexts. Usage intensified in 2025 amid unrest following Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in June, with thousands in domestic rallies and diaspora gatherings deploying the lion-and-sun variant alongside calls to dismantle the , as documented in video footage from July 19 protests. In January 2026, amid ongoing protests, the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) updated its representation of the Iran flag emoji to depict the pre-revolutionary Lion and Sun design, reflecting broader international recognition of opposition symbolism. Internal divisions within the opposition complicate its symbolism; while monarchists insist on the full as the authentic national banner, some republican-leaning activists reject it for its ties to dynastic rule, opting instead for a blank tricolor to emphasize secular without overtones. This schism reflects broader debates in exile communities, where hybrid designs or simplified versions emerged during 2025 demonstrations to bridge ideological gaps. Proponents argue the flag's endurance underscores demands for cultural continuity rooted in Zoroastrian and imperial Persian motifs, predating the 7th-century conquests and Shia dominance imposed by the current regime.

Global Perceptions and Diplomatic Disputes

In Western nations, the Iranian is frequently viewed unfavorably, symbolizing the post-1979 Islamic Republic's and its sponsorship of groups, which contributes to associations with state-supported . A Pew survey of 14 advanced economies reported a median unfavorable opinion of at 71%, exceeding negative views of the in those same countries. Earlier global polling in 2015 similarly revealed unfavorable assessments in 31 of 40 surveyed countries, reflecting persistent concerns over 's regional interventions and nuclear program. These attitudes, rooted in empirical records of Iranian backing for attacks like the 1983 Beirut Marine barracks bombing—which killed 241 U.S. personnel and was enabled by Tehran's material support—have entrenched the flag's linkage to adversarial actions in public and media discourse. Diplomatic tensions have arisen from symbolic manipulations of the flag, notably during the when the U.S. Soccer Federation posted graphics depicting Iran's flag without its central emblem to signal support for domestic protesters against compulsory enforcement. Iranian and officials decried the alteration as an erasure of "Allah's name," prompting to file a formal complaint with accusing the of politicizing the tournament. The U.S. entity later reverted the images, clarifying the intent as backing Iranian rather than endorsing , yet the episode underscored the flag's role as a flashpoint for bilateral recriminations. In January 2026, the social media platform X updated its rendering of the Iranian flag emoji (🇮🇷) on its web platform to display the pre-1979 Lion and Sun emblem instead of the Islamic Republic's red emblem, implemented through its open-source Twemoji system. This change, visible to users including on official Iranian government accounts, exemplifies international platforms' engagement with pre-revolutionary Iranian flag symbolism amid ongoing opposition sentiments. In contrast, among ideological allies like , the flag garners positive reception as an emblem of defiance against U.S.-led sanctions and interventionism, aligning with Tehran-Caracas declarations of an "axis of unity" against formalized under Presidents Ahmadinejad and Chávez. Bilateral summits and pacts, such as the 20-year strategic agreement, routinely feature juxtaposed Iranian and Venezuelan flags, framing their partnership as a bulwark against perceived Western despite economic pressures on both states. This mutual symbolism persists amid shared experiences of isolation, though practical alliances prioritize resource exchanges over overt flag-centric .

Debates on Heritage Erasure

Critics of the 1980 flag redesign contend that replacing the lion-and-sun emblem with the red Allah inscription effectively sidelined symbols rooted in Iran's pre-Islamic heritage, prioritizing Shia Islamic motifs over indigenous ones. The lion-and-sun, traceable to Achaemenid-era depictions and later Parthian-Sassanid iconography, embodies Mithraic and Zoroastrian elements where the lion signifies royal power and the sun divine light or kingship. This marginalization, they argue, erodes the Zoroastrian substrate in Persian identity, as the emblem's removal aligns with post-revolutionary efforts to emphasize Twelver Shia exclusivity at the expense of broader Iranian mythological and astronomical traditions. Causally, the Islamic Republic's ideological shift, influenced by Ayatollah Khomeini's vision of Islamic governance, favored symbols evoking Arab caliphal legacies over Sassanid imperial motifs, fostering cultural alienation among those valuing pre-Islamic continuity. Khomeini's writings, such as in Islam and Revolution, stress universal Islamic unity, implicitly subordinating Persianate exceptionalism to pan-Islamic norms, which critics interpret as an Arabization dynamic that de-emphasizes indigenous substrates. This prioritization is seen as deliberate, given the revolution's purge of Pahlavi-era symbols tied to ancient Persian kingship. Iranian regime proponents counter that the retained tricolor—green for Islam and vitality, white for peace, red for martyrdom and valor—maintains continuity with Qajar and earlier standards, predating the lion-and-sun's prominence and linking to both Islamic and pre-Islamic valor. However, dissidents highlight UNESCO's designation of pre-Islamic sites like and the Sassanid landscapes as world heritage, underscoring global recognition of Iran's ancient motifs as integral to its civilizational identity, which the flag change ostensibly disregards. Empirically, post-1979 school curricula exhibit omission of lion-and-sun historical context, with analyses revealing a post-revolutionary pivot toward Islamic narratives that minimize pre-Islamic symbology; for instance, ancient Iranian history receives curtailed coverage compared to pre-1979 editions, sidelining emblematic discussions. Such shifts, verified through comparative studies, fuel debates that the redesign contributes to heritage erasure by institutionalizing selective memory.

References

  1. https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ir.html
  2. https://2021-2025.state.gov/countries-areas/iran/ir-lgflag/
  3. https://ajammc.com/2019/02/11/iran-flag-unique-symbol-revolution/
  4. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-25/why-are-there-two-different-iranian-flags-at-protests/105453584
  5. https://ajammc.com/2025/07/09/battle-iran-flag/
  6. https://www.vexilla-mundi.com/iran_flag.html
  7. https://www.countryflags.com/flag-of-iran/
  8. https://0xc.de/flags/iran/
  9. https://surfiran.com/mag/iran-flag/
  10. http://patiramis.blogspot.com/2011/09/irans-flag-history.html
  11. https://paxhistoria.co/flags/f75088b4-ab54-40fc-ab26-70a454b15eb5
  12. https://arasbaran.org/en/print_news.cfm?id=37
  13. https://www.flagcolorcodes.com/iran
  14. https://www.worldatlas.com/flags/iran
  15. https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Iran
  16. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/2110/2015/en/
  17. https://www.kavehfarrokh.com/news/the-lion-and-sun-motif-of-iran-a-brief-analysis/
  18. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/iran-flag-symbolism-history-meaning-controversy
  19. https://nufdiran.org/resources/the-true-flag-of-iran/
  20. https://www.baytalfann.com/post/the-art-heritage-of-kufic-script
  21. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/calligraphy/
  22. https://www.aclr.ir/article_722332.html?lang=en
  23. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/derafs/
  24. https://www.livius.org/articles/place/persepolis/persepolis-photos/persepolis-apadana-east-stairs/
  25. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/323723
  26. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/flags-i/
  27. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/derafs-e-kavian/
  28. https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/28053/chapter/212014606
  29. https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/3/article/938316
  30. https://thelionandthesun.org/378/the-lion-sun-a-symbol-of-persian-legacy/
  31. https://samholako.substack.com/p/history-of-irans-flags-p1
  32. https://www.kavehfarrokh.com/news/flags-of-nader-shahs-army-discovered-in-the-caucasus/
  33. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/constitutional-revolution-iii/
  34. http://www.qajarpages.org/qajemblems.html
  35. https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ir_imp05.html
  36. https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ir_imp25.html
  37. https://flagmakers.co.uk/media/ecjdes1k/flag-of-iran-a-brief-history-download.pdf
  38. https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/industrialization-i/
  39. https://www.mohammadmossadegh.com/news/cortland-standard/end-in-iran/
  40. https://www.britannica.com/topic/White-Revolution
  41. https://farahpahlavi.org/coat-of-arms/
  42. https://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ir_tra79.html
  43. https://mediorientedintorni.com/index.php/2025/07/08/history-and-symbolism-of-the-current-iranian-flag/?lang=en
  44. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iran_1989
  45. https://www.worldflag.org/iranian-flag
  46. https://www.rjtravelagency.com/flag-of-iran/
  47. https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/ll/llglrd/2019671031/2019671031.pdf
  48. https://sherloc.unodc.org/cld/uploads/res/islamic-penal-code_html/Islamic_Penal_Code.pdf
  49. https://www.philstar.com/nation/2007/07/22/7631/iran-bans-half-mast-flag-respect-allah-emblem
  50. https://www.hrw.org/news/2009/06/23/iran-violent-crackdown-protesters-widens
  51. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Naval_Jack_of_Iran.svg
  52. https://www.flagandbanner.com/flags/united_nations_members.asp
  53. https://media.un.org/photo/en/asset/oun7/oun7177236
  54. https://en.mehrnews.com/news/162376/Iran-s-largest-black-flag-to-be-raised-on-eve-of-Muharram
  55. https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/black-flag-raised-by-iranian-shrine-mourning-occasions-2023-10-23/
  56. https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/27/football/iran-us-flag-protesters-klinsmann-2022-world-cup-spt-intl
  57. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/nov/27/usa-show-iran-flag-without-emblem-of-islamic-republic-before-world-cup-clash
  58. https://nypost.com/2022/11/27/world-cup-us-soccer-deletes-posts-after-altering-iranian-flag/
  59. https://www.mohammadmossadegh.com/news/upi-united-press-international/iranian-flags-are-hot-items-to-burn/
  60. https://www.instagram.com/p/DL8KGwbyfpf/
  61. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63900099
  62. https://iran1400.org/content/parcham-the-evolution-of-irans-national-symbols/
  63. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/21/sports/soccer/iranian-fans-persian-flags-protests-england-game.html
  64. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMVqgRuSRtl/
  65. https://www.meforum.org/mef-observer/has-the-war-brought-the-iranian-and-israeli-people-closer-together
  66. https://blog.emojipedia.org/x-expected-to-update-its-iranian-flag-emoji-design/
  67. https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601094227
  68. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2020/12/02/iran-widely-criticized-in-14-advanced-economies/
  69. https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2015/06/18/irans-global-image-mostly-negative/
  70. https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/echoes-1983-beirut-bombings-current-iranian-proxy-escalation
  71. https://lb.usembassy.gov/commemoration-of-the-40th-anniversary-of-the-october-23-1983-u-s-marine-corps-barracks-bombing/
  72. https://www.npr.org/2022/11/27/1139304827/usa-change-iran-flag-to-remove-islamic-republic-emblem-before-world-cup-clash
  73. https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/27/football/iran-us-flag-protests-klinsmann-2022-world-cup-spt-intl
  74. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37634296/us-soccer-scrub-emblem-iran-flag-support-protests
  75. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/middle-east/iran-protests-x-replaces-irans-current-flag-emoji-with-lion-and-sun-symbol-what-it-means/articleshow/126447808.cms
  76. https://www.dw.com/en/venezuela-iran-forge-anti-western-partnership-of-necessity/a-71735747
  77. https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2022/06/11/venezuela-iran-20-year-agreement/
  78. https://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/iran-venezuela-and-their-anti-imperialist-alliance-a-conversation-with-ali-faramarzi/
  79. https://ijtihadnet.com/wp-content/uploads/ayatollah-sayyed-ruhollah-khomeini-islam-and-revolution.pdf
  80. https://kouroshziabari.com/2020/08/irans-neglect-of-its-cultural-heritage-backfires/
  81. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2011/08/irans-education-overhaul-controversial-textbooks-part-2.html
  82. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227883202_The_Immemorial_Iranian_Nation_School_Textbooks_and_Historical_Memory_in_Post-Revolutionary_Iran
  83. https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/Irans-Radical-Education-7.pdf
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.