Flag of UAE - Colors, Meaning, History ??

The flag of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a symbol of much pride for Emiratis, the UAE flag is more than a mere symbol of the state. The UAE flag holds a national flag day every 3rd of November, which coincides with the appointment anniversary of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan as president of the UAE.

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Table of Contents

• History of the UAE Flag
• What is the meaning behind the Colours of the UAE Flag?
• What are the Flags of Each Emirate?
• Interesting Facts about the UAE Flag

History of the UAE Flag

A young Emirati named Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah designed the UAE flag in 1971. The four colours used reflect the unity of the Arab nations.

The Arabic poem of Safiul Din Al Holi describes the themes of benevolence, goodness, and kindness. Al Holi wrote about hard-fought historical battles of the land.According to the poem, deeds and intentions were white or benign, the vigour of the battles was black or strong, while the lands were vast and green, and the gallant swords were stained with red blood.

At that time, Al Maainah was designated as the plenipotentiary minister at the UAE foreign ministry. He submitted his design which bested over 1,030 contestants and took the 4,000 Riyals prize.

What is the meaning behind the Colours of the UAE Flag

Used at all national events, religious, social, sports and others, internally and externally, the flag represents UAE citizens and the values such as dignity, pride, achievement, safety, peace, and happiness. The original Pan-Arab colours symbolize Arabian Unity.

What is the meaning behind the Colours of the UAE Flag?

A. Colours

Red

• Hardiness, bravery, strength and courage
• Vertical strip of red means “together in unity”

Green

• Hope, joy, optimism and love
• Country’s prosperity

White

• Peace and honesty
• Pure and clean

Black

• Defeat of enemies, and strength of mind

B. Shape

Did you know that the length of the flag is twice its width? The flag displays three equal horizontal bands of green, white and black. The vertical strip of red is next to the mast.

What are the flags of each emirate?

The seven emirates of the UAE have their own flag except Fujairah, which uses the federal flag since 1975.

Abu Dhabi

A plain-red flag with a small white rectangle in the upper hoist.

Dubai and Ajman

Ajman and Dubai share the same flag -plain red with a white bar at the hoist.

Fujairah

The plain red flag was Fujairah’s flag before 1952. After that, a red flag with a white border was adopted as an ensign. This was the official flag until 1975, when Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi abolished the red flag and adopted the Federal flag as the flag of Fujairah.

Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah

Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah share the same flag because they are both ruled by two branches of the same house. The flag shows a large red rectangle on a white background.

Umm al-Quwain

Umm al-Quwain’s flag includes a red background, a white bar at the hoist, and a large white star and crescent in the center.

Interesting Facts about the Flag (UAE)

• The flag was first used in December 2, 1971
• Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founder of the UAE, was the first person to hoist the flagCountry’s prosperity
• The UAE Flag Day was first introduced by Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2013.
• The UAE Flag Day coincides with Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s first day as the president
• Only the UAE President is allowed to raise the Flag with a falcon emblem on it. This is also known as the UAE presidential flag.
• If the flag is positioned vertically, the red part should be on top, and the black part should be on the left.

Know any other facts about the UAE flag? Share your thoughts below.

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