The Palestinian Flag Explained: Colors, History, Meaning
It is on car windows in Dearborn, at rallies in New York and in dorm rooms across the country. The Palestinian flag is one of the most recognized flags in the world. Here is the story behind it.
Where the design comes from
The flag is based on the banner of the Arab Revolt, which began in 1916 against Ottoman rule. Its three horizontal stripes and red triangle were later adopted, with variations, by several Arab movements and countries.
What the colors mean
The most common reading connects each color to a historic Arab dynasty: black for the Abbasids, white for the Umayyads, green for the Fatimids and red for the Hashemites or the revolt. Others see the land, peace, hope and sacrifice. Both interpretations are widely shared.
From symbol to state
The Palestinian National Council adopted the flag in 1964. It became the flag of the Palestine Liberation Organization and later of the State of Palestine. For years, showing it in the occupied territories could get people arrested, which is how symbols like the watermelon took on new meaning.
The flag in America
For Palestinian Americans, the flag often hangs in family living rooms and flies at weddings, graduations and community events. At rallies, it is carried by people of every background.
Our Palestine Flag designs bring those colors to everyday wear, from long sleeves to caps.
FAQ
+What do the Palestinian flag colors stand for?
A common reading links black, white, green and red to historic Arab dynasties: the Abbasids, Umayyads, Fatimids and Hashemites.
+How old is the Palestinian flag design?
The design goes back to the flag of the Arab Revolt, which began in 1916.
+When did Palestinians adopt the flag?
The Palestinian National Council adopted it in 1964.
+Is the Palestinian flag the same as other Arab flags?
It shares its origins with the Arab Revolt flag, so it looks similar to the flags of Jordan and some other Arab states, with differences in layout and details.
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