The flag of Iran is a horizontal tricolor of green, white, and red with the national emblem in red centered on the white band and the Takbir written 11 times along the bottom of the green band and 11 times along the top of the red band in white Kufic script. Adopted in its current form on July 29, 1980, following the Islamic Revolution of 1979, it is one of the most symbolically dense and meticulously designed national flags in the world. This guide covers every dimension of the Iranian flag: the precise meaning of each color, the intricate geometry of the central emblem, the significance of the 22 repetitions of “Allahu Akbar,” the long history of flags in Iran from the Derafsh Kaviani of the Achaemenid era through the iconic Lion and Sun to the Islamic Republic’s tricolor, the strict flag protocols that govern its use, and practical information for those interested in purchasing, displaying, or studying the flag. Whether you are a student of vexillology, a traveler planning to visit Iran, or someone seeking to understand the powerful visual language of one of the world’s oldest civilizations, this comprehensive article provides an authoritative, balanced, and deeply researched overview.
Flag Design and Specifications
The national flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran has an official aspect ratio of 4:7, a slightly wider proportion than the 2:3 common to many national flags. It consists of three horizontal bands of equal width: green at the top, white in the middle, and red at the bottom. The colors are officially defined, with the green corresponding to a rich emerald shade, the white being pure bright white, and the red a vivid, slightly darkened scarlet. The emblem of Iran is placed at the exact center of the white band, scaled so that its overall height equals the height of the white band. The Takbir—the phrase “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest)—is written in a stylized Kufic script in white, repeated 11 times along the inner edge of the green band where it meets the white, and 11 times again along the inner edge of the red band, for a total of 22 repetitions.
The precise dimensions and geometry of the flag were codified in the national standard on July 29, 1980, after an extensive design competition. The government specification states that the emblem must be positioned so its central axis aligns perfectly with the flag’s vertical and horizontal midpoints. The stylized Kufic script along the borders is constructed to appear as a continuous decorative frieze, integrating seamlessly with the horizontal bands. The overall effect is of a flag that is both visually balanced and brimming with symbolic content, with no element placed without deliberate meaning. The flag is manufactured in various sizes for government buildings, military installations, international missions, and domestic display.
Colors and Their Meanings
The colors of the Iranian flag carry layered meanings that bridge the nation’s pre-Islamic past and its Islamic revolutionary present. Green, the top band, is the traditional color of Islam and is strongly associated with the faith, paradise, and the Prophet Muhammad’s lineage. In the context of the Islamic Republic, green represents the religion of Islam as the foundation of the state, growth, vitality, and the revolution’s promise of renewal. It is also the color widely used in Islamic and Iranian religious architecture, domes, and shrines.
White, the central band, symbolizes peace, honesty, purity, and the moral clarity that the state aspires to embody. It has been interpreted as the peace that comes through submission to divine will, and it serves as the visual resting point of the tricolor, giving prominence to the central emblem. Red, the bottom band, represents the blood of martyrs who died for Iran’s independence, freedom, and Islamic identity. This includes those who fell in the Iran-Iraq War of 1980–1988, the 1979 Revolution itself, and earlier struggles against foreign domination. Red evokes courage, sacrifice, and the willingness to defend the nation. Together, the three bands present a sequence of spiritual foundation, peaceful aspiration, and bloody sacrifice—a visual narrative read from top to bottom.
The National Emblem Explained
The emblem centered on the Iranian flag is one of the most stylized and visually distinctive of any national flag. Designed by Hamid Nadimi, an Iranian artist and architect, and officially adopted on May 9, 1980, the emblem consists of four curved crescents and a central sword, arranged to form both the word “Allah” in Arabic script and a tulip. The sword and crescents interlock symmetrically, creating a circular motif that is simultaneously a calligraphic exercise and a pictorial symbol. The emblem is rendered in brilliant red, the color of martyrdom, to emphasize that the Islamic Republic was born from sacrifice.
There are four main interpretations of the emblem, all of which are officially acknowledged. First, it is a stylized version of the word “Allah,” with the crescents forming the letters alif, lam, lam, ha. Second, the shape is that of a tulip, the flower that grows from the blood of martyrs in Persian legend and that is found on countless tombstones and memorials. Third, the central element that looks like a sword represents strength, steadfastness, and the defense of the nation. Fourth, the overall circular form resembles a globe, suggesting that Islam’s message is universal and global. The combination of sacred calligraphy, national flower, and weapon of defense creates a multi-layered symbol that rewards close examination. The sword’s hilt is shaped like the diacritic mark known as a fatha, serving a grammatical function as well as an aesthetic one.
The Takbir and the Number 22
The 22 repetitions of “Allahu Akbar” (God is Great) are not decorative but deeply symbolic, referencing a pivotal date in the Iranian calendar. The Islamic Revolution of 1979 reached its climax on 22 Bahman 1357 in the Iranian solar Hejri calendar, which corresponds to February 11, 1979, in the Gregorian calendar. This is the day the monarchy collapsed and the revolutionary forces seized full control, and it is celebrated annually as the national holiday of 22 Bahman. The twin bands of 11 Takbirs each—one on the green-white border and one on the red-white border—add up to 22, permanently encoding the revolution’s date into the fabric of the national flag.
The script used is a stylized Kufic, one of the oldest and most geometric forms of Arabic calligraphy, which renders the letters as angular, blocky shapes that read as a decorative band. The white lettering on green and red grounds was chosen for visibility and symmetry. The repetition elevates the Takbir from a simple phrase to a rhythmic chant, reminiscent of how the slogan was shouted from rooftops during the revolutionary days of 1978–79. It is a rare example of a date being permanently integrated into a national flag’s design, and it makes the Iranian flag a document of its own historical moment.
History of Flags in Iran
Iran’s flag history spans more than 2,500 years, making it one of the most richly documented vexillological traditions in the world. From the Achaemenid Empire to the modern Islamic Republic, banners and standards have played a central role in Iranian statecraft, military organization, and national identity. The following sections chronicle the major phases of Iranian flag evolution.
Ancient Flags
The earliest known Iranian banner is the Derafsh Kaviani, a leather apron of the mythical blacksmith Kaveh who led a revolt against the tyrant Zahhak in the Shahnameh, the Persian Book of Kings. The Derafsh Kaviani was adopted as the royal standard of the Sassanian Empire (224–651 CE) and was jewel-encrusted and richly decorated. It served as the principal battle standard of the empire until it was captured by Arab Muslim forces at the Battle of al-Qadisiyyah in 636 CE. The Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BCE) used eagle standards, bulls, and falcons as military banners, as depicted in the reliefs at Persepolis, but no single national flag as we understand it today existed.
During the Parthian period (247 BCE–224 CE), cataphract cavalry carried dragon standards and other emblematic banners into battle. The Sassanians further developed the use of royal standards, with the Derafsh Kaviani as the supreme state flag. These ancient banners were not tricolor rectangles but elaborate standards carried on long poles, often topped with animal or symbolic figures. The tradition of a unified, royal standard persisted into the Islamic period, though the specific forms changed drastically with the conversion of Iran to Islam after the 7th century.
Safavid and Qajar Flags
The modern concept of a national flag in Iran began to crystallize under the Safavid dynasty (1501–1736), which established Shia Islam as the state religion. Safavid flags were often green, the color of the Prophet’s family, and featured the Lion and Sun emblem, which had older astrological roots but was now imbued with Shia and Persian national meaning. The lion represented courage and strength, while the sun symbolized the divine and cosmic order. This combination became the most enduring symbol of Iranian sovereignty.
Under the Qajar dynasty (1789–1925), the Lion and Sun was formally codified as the state emblem. The flag of the Qajar period went through several iterations: a white field with a Lion and Sun in the center, later modified under Naser al-Din Shah to include a green border around the flag. The tricolor of green, white, and red was first officially adopted in its modern arrangement in 1906 during the Constitutional Revolution, though the exact shade of green was originally paler. The Lion and Sun occupied the center, often with a sword added to the lion’s paw, signifying armed defense of the nation. This flag remained in use—with some variations—through the Pahlavi era.
Pahlavi Era Flag
Under the Pahlavi dynasty (1925–1979), the Iranian flag retained the green-white-red tricolor with the Lion and Sun at the center. In 1964, the flag was formalized by law, and the proportion was set at 2:3. The Lion and Sun was rendered in gold or yellow, and the lion held a curved scimitar in its raised paw. The symbol was now interpreted in purely secular, nationalist terms: the lion as the strength of the Iranian people, the sun as the source of life and continuity, and the tricolor representing the Iranian land, peace, and blood of the nation’s defenders.
Reza Shah Pahlavi, who came to power in 1925, promoted the flag as part of a broader nation-building project that emphasized Iran’s pre-Islamic heritage. The flag was flown at all official state events and military ceremonies, and it became a powerful symbol of Iranian nationalism. During the 1970s, as political opposition grew, the flag remained the official emblem of the state until the revolution of 1979 swept the monarchy away. After the revolution, the Lion and Sun was stripped of its official status and replaced with the current emblem, though the green-white-red bands survived in a transformed symbolic framework.
Islamic Republic Flag
Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution in February 1979, the Lion and Sun flag was immediately removed from public buildings and replaced by a plain green-white-red tricolor without any central emblem. A national design competition was held in 1979–1980 to select a new emblem that would reflect the Islamic and revolutionary character of the new state. Hamid Nadimi’s design—the stylized word “Allah” in the shape of a tulip—was selected in May 1980. The Takbir border was added shortly after, and the full flag as it exists today was formally ratified on July 29, 1980.
The adoption of the new flag marked a definitive ideological break with the monarchical and secular past. Every element was infused with Islamic meaning, from the calligraphic emblem to the repeated Takbir, and the tricolor was reinterpreted through the lens of revolutionary Islam. Despite the radical redesign, the horizontal bands of green, white, and red remained, preserving a visual continuity with the Iranian past that spans more than a century. The flag has not been altered since 1980, and it flies over all government and military installations, schools, embassies, and public squares in Iran.
Flag Protocol and Customs
Iranian law prescribes strict protocols for the use and display of the national flag, reflecting both patriotic and religious reverence. The flag must always be positioned so the green band is at the top and the red at the bottom. When hung vertically against a wall, the green band must be on the viewer’s left, so the emblem remains oriented correctly. Desecration of the flag is a criminal offense in Iran, punishable under articles of the Islamic Penal Code as an act against national security and Islamic sanctities, with penalties including imprisonment and heavy fines.
The flag is raised at dawn and lowered at sunset on government buildings, a practice followed even by Iranian embassies abroad. During religious and national holidays, such as 22 Bahman (Revolution Day) and the anniversary of Khomeini’s death, flags are flown at half-staff. The flag of Iran must not touch the ground and must be folded and stored respectfully when not in use. In state funerals, the flag drapes the coffins of martyrs and high-ranking state officials. On official podiums, the flag is placed to the right of the speaker alongside the Quran. When displayed alongside other national flags, the Iranian flag takes precedence and is positioned in the place of honor.
The Flag in Culture and Politics
The flag of Iran carries potent cultural and political weight both inside Iran and among the Iranian diaspora. Within Iran, the flag is an omnipresent fixture of daily life, displayed in classrooms, government offices, and public squares, and used in state propaganda, military parades, and revolutionary anthems. The emblem and Takbir are printed on currency, identity documents, passports, and official letterheads, embedding the state’s ideology into the most banal administrative objects. Schoolchildren recite the national anthem before the flag, and the flag is carried in mass demonstrations and commemorations.
Among the Iranian diaspora, the flag can be a contested symbol. Many Iranians abroad continue to identify the Lion and Sun tricolor as their national flag, associating it with Iran’s pre-revolutionary history, cultural identity, and opposition to the current government. During protests—such as the 2009 Green Movement and the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom uprising—protesters have been seen waving the Lion and Sun flag as a sign of dissent. The competing flags capture a nation’s split political consciousness, and vexillologists often cite Iran as a case study in how flags can simultaneously unite and divide a people. In international sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup, Iranian fans display both versions, creating a visual patchwork of national identity that is rarely seen elsewhere.
Where to See the Iranian Flag
The Iranian flag is visible across Iran and at Iranian diplomatic missions worldwide. In Tehran, the largest version flies at the Milad Tower complex and at the Azadi Square, a monumental roundabout and cultural space. The flagpole at Azadi Square is among the tallest in the Middle East, and the flag is illuminated at night. The National Museum of Iran in Tehran displays historic flags and banners, including replicas of the Derafsh Kaviani, providing an excellent venue to study the evolution of Iranian flags. Admission to the museum costs approximately 2,000,000 Iranian rials (roughly $4 USD in 2025) and it is open daily except Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Iranian embassies and consulates in capitals including London, Washington D.C. (at the Pakistan Embassy’s Iran Interests Section), Berlin, Paris, and Ottawa fly the flag daily. In religious sites, massive flags are raised during Muharram and the mourning ceremonies of Ashura, sometimes in deep red or black alongside the national tricolor. Visitors should be aware that photographing certain government and military installations with the flag may be restricted, and it is advisable to ask permission before taking close-up photographs of sensitive locations.
Practical Information for Buying an Iran Flag
Those wishing to purchase an Iranian flag can do so through online vexillology retailers, flag specialty shops, and marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. A standard 3-foot by 5-foot polyester Iranian flag costs between $10 and $25 depending on construction quality. Nylon flags, which are more durable and colorfast for outdoor use, range from $25 to $50. High-quality embroidered ceremonial flags used by embassies and official institutions can cost between $100 and $300. Buyers should verify that the flag meets the 4:7 ratio specification and that the emblem and Takbir are accurately printed; many inexpensive knock-offs have distorted proportions or miss the Kufic script entirely.
In Iran, flags are widely available at bazaars, revolutionary gift shops, and stationery stores in cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Mashhad, with prices in rials significantly cheaper for domestic buyers. Souvenir-sized flags and patches are sold at airports and tourist sites. For those interested in historic reproductions, Lion and Sun flags from various periods are available from specialist historical flag makers and costume houses. When displaying an Iranian flag outside Iran, be mindful of local regulations and community sensibilities; flying the flag is generally not controversial, but pairing it with political banners or using it in demonstrations can attract attention and potentially violate local laws.
FAQs
What does the Iran flag look like?
The Iranian flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of green at the top, white in the middle, and red at the bottom. At the center is a red emblem resembling a tulip and the word “Allah.” Along the inner edges of the green and red bands, the phrase “Allahu Akbar” is written 11 times each in white Kufic script, for a total of 22 times.
What do the colors of the Iran flag mean?
Green represents Islam, spiritual vitality, and growth. White stands for peace, purity, and honesty. Red symbolizes the blood of martyrs who died for Iran’s freedom and independence.
What is the emblem on the Iran flag?
The central emblem is a stylized representation of the word “Allah” in Arabic script, also shaped like a tulip. It includes a central sword element, representing strength and the defense of the nation. It was designed by Hamid Nadimi in 1980.
What is the writing on the Iran flag border?
The writing along the green-white and red-white borders consists of the phrase “Allahu Akbar,” meaning “God is the Greatest.” It is written in Kufic script, 11 times on the upper edge and 11 times on the lower edge, totaling 22 repetitions.
Why is Allahu Akbar written 22 times on the flag?
The 22 repetitions correspond to the date 22 Bahman in the Persian calendar (February 11, 1979), the day the Islamic Revolution triumphed and the monarchy was overthrown. The number permanently encodes the revolution’s anniversary in the flag.
What was the flag of Iran before the 1979 revolution?
Before the Islamic Revolution, the flag of Iran was the same green-white-red tricolor, but its center featured the Lion and Sun emblem with a sword. This symbol had been used in various forms since the Safavid era and was codified under the Pahlavi dynasty.
What is the meaning of the Lion and Sun flag of Iran?
The lion symbolized courage, strength, and the nation of Iran, while the sun represented light, the divine, and continuity. The sword in the lion’s paw signified defense of the nation. It blended pre-Islamic Persian imperial imagery with Shia Islamic motifs.
What is the proportion of the Iran flag?
The official proportion of the Iranian national flag is 4:7, slightly wider than the more common 2:3 ratio found in many national flags.
Who designed the current Iranian flag?
The central emblem was designed by Hamid Nadimi, a Tehran-based artist and architect. The overall flag composition and the addition of the Takbir border were finalized by a government committee and formally adopted on July 29, 1980.
Can the flag of Iran be flown at half-mast?
Yes, the Iranian flag is flown at half-mast on official days of mourning, such as the anniversary of the death of Ayatollah Khomeini and during major national tragedies. The flag is lowered to a position partway down the pole according to state protocol.
Is it legal to burn the Iranian flag in Iran?
No, desecration of the national flag is a crime in Iran under the Islamic Penal Code. It is considered an offense against national security and Islamic sanctities and carries severe penalties, including imprisonment.
What is the Derafsh Kaviani?
The Derafsh Kaviani was the legendary royal standard of the Sassanian Empire, described in the Persian epic Shahnameh. It was a jewel-encrusted banner on a long pole, said to originate from the blacksmith Kaveh’s leather apron, and served as the pre-eminent symbol of Iranian kingship before the Islamic conquest.
Why do some Iranians use the Lion and Sun flag instead?
Many members of the Iranian diaspora and political opposition groups use the Lion and Sun flag as an alternative symbol. For them, it represents Iran’s pre-revolutionary identity, resistance to the current Islamic Republic government, and a connection to a non-sectarian national heritage.
Where can I buy a genuine Iran flag?
Genuine Iranian flags can be purchased from online vexillology retailers, Amazon, Etsy, and specialized flag manufacturers. In Iran, they are sold at bazaars, bookshops, and revolutionary merchandise stores. Prices range from $10 for polyester to over $100 for high-quality embroidered versions.
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