Flag of Kuwait

The flag of Kuwait (Arabic: علم الكويت) was adopted on September 7, 1961, and officially hoisted November 24, 1961. Before 1961, the flag of Kuwait was red and white, like those of other Persian Gulf states at the time, with the field being red and words or charges being written in white.

Kuwait
Alam Baladii, Derti
UseCivil and state flag, national 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 mirror image of obverse side Flag can be hung vertically by hoisting on a normal pole, then turning the pole 90°
Proportion1:2
Adopted7 September 1961
Officially hoisted 24 November 1961
DesignA horizontal triband of green, white and red; with a black trapezium based on the hoist side.
Flag at the Embassy of Kuwait, London

When the Utub settled in Kuwait, Kuwaiti ships were flying a flag common on the western coast of the Persian Gulf, a red flag added to it near the mast a serrated white ribbon similar to the current Bahrain flag and was called in the name of the Sulaimi flag. This flag was raised in the rule of Sheikh Sabah I bin Jaber in 1746 to 1871.

During the period of Ottoman rule in Kuwait, the Ottoman flag, red with a white crescent and star, was used. This flag was retained after the country became a British protectorate in the Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899.

In 1903, Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy and Governor-General of India visited Kuwait, and Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah received him and raised a red flag with white words, توكلنا على الله (We trust in God) in Arabic writing. This avoided the diplomatic faux pax, given Kuwait was under British protection, of raising the Ottoman flag.

Two different flag designs were proposed but not adopted in the period after this. The first proposal in 1906, a red flag with white Western letters spelling (KOWEIT) and the second in 1913, the Ottoman flag but the word كويت (Kuwait) in Arabic writing as a canton.[1][2]

The Ottoman flag kept being used until the First World War, when friendly-fire incidents with the British in 1914 during the Mesopotamian campaign around the river Shatt al-Arab occurred due to Kuwait and the enemy Ottomans both using the same flag. Because of this Kuwait adopted a new flag, red with كويت (Kuwait) in Arabic writing.[3][1][2] This flag was in use until 1921, when Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah added the Shahada to the flag.[4][1][2] This version was in use until 1940, when he also added a stylized falcons claw to the flag.[1][2] These flags were also depicted on the Emblems of Kuwait. The red flag remained the national flag of Kuwait until the adoption of the current one in September 1961. The present flag is in the Pan-Arab colours, but each colour is also significant in its own right.

Scheme Textile colour
Red The Hashemite dynasty, symbolizes the blood on the swords of Arab warriors.
White The Umayyad dynasty, symbolizes purity and noble deeds.
Green The Fatimid dynasty or Rashidun Caliphate, represents the fertile land of Arabia.
Black The Abbasid dynasty, represents the defeat of enemies in battle.

The colours' meaning came from a poem by Safie Al-Deen Al-Hali:

  • White are our deeds
  • Black are our battles
  • Green are our lands
  • Red are our swords

Rules of hanging and flying the flag:

  • Horizontally: The green stripe should be on top.
  • Vertically: The red stripe should be on the left side of the flag.
Peter Lynn's Kuwaiti Flag kite

In 2005, it became the design of the world's largest kite at a size of 1019 square metres. It was made in New Zealand by Peter Lynn, launched to the public for the first time in 2004 in the United Kingdom, officially launched in Kuwait in 2005, and has not been surpassed since.

Construction sheet
  • Flag construction sheet
    Flag construction sheet

Standard of the Emir

The current Emir of Kuwait has a personal royal standard, which is the national flag with a yellow crown on the green stripe.

  • Standard of the Emir 1921–1940
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the Emir 1921–1940
  • Standard of the Emir 1940–1956
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the Emir 1940–1956
  • Standard of the Emir 1956–1961
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the Emir 1956–1961
  • Standard of the Emir 1961–present
    Standard of the Emir 1961–present

Historical flags of Kuwait
  • 1746–1871 (Al-Sulami flag)
    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 flag1746–1871
    (Al-Sulami flag)
  • 1871-1914(The Ottoman Empire adopted its flag in 1844)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1871-1914
    (The Ottoman Empire adopted its flag in 1844)
  • Used between 28-30 November 1903 during the visit of Lord Curzon
    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 Used between 28-30 November 1903 during the visit of Lord Curzon
  • 1906 proposal(not adopted)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1906 proposal
    (not adopted)
  • 1913 proposal(not adopted)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1913 proposal
    (not adopted)
  • 1914–1921
    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 flag1914–1921
  • Battle flag raised during Battle of Jahra in 1920
    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 Battle flag raised during Battle of Jahra in 1920
  • 1921–1940
    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 flag1921–1940
  • 1940–1961
    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 flag1940–1961
  • Maritime Ensign1956–1961Only used at sea
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Maritime Ensign
    1956–1961
    Only used at sea
  • 1961–present
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag 1961–present

References
  1. Hubert de Vries (2018) [2011]. "KUWAIT دولة الكويت". hubert-herald.nl. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  2. Mello Luchtenberg. "Kuwait". vexilla-mundi.com. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  3. Nunn, Wilfred (1932). Tigris Gunboats: The Forgotten War in Iraq, 1914-1917. Naval Institute Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-1861763082.
  4. Farkas Al-Rashoud, Claudia (1993). Kuwait's Age of Sail : Pearl Divers, Sea Captains, and Shipbuilders Past and Present. Husain Mohammed Rafie Marafie. ASIN B000E4QEN4.
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