To celebrate UAE Flag Day, here are five fascinating facts about the country’s iconic national symbol.
It was designed by a 19-year-old Emirati
The flag was designed by Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, who was just 19 when he entered a national competition organised through Abu Dhabi’s Al Ittihad newspaper in 1971. His design was selected from more than 1,000 submissions.
Its colours were inspired by a centuries-old Arabic poem
The four colours were inspired by a verse by 13th-century Arab poet Safi al-Din al-Hilli. The poem describes white deeds, green fields, black battles and red swords – imagery that came to represent the values of Arab unity.
It was first raised on 2 December 1971
The UAE flag was raised for the first time by the country’s Founding Father, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, on the day the United Arab Emirates was established. The historic occasion marked the birth of the federation.
Each of its four colours carries a different meaning
Green represents growth and prosperity, white symbolises peace and generosity, black reflects strength and resilience, while red represents courage and the sacrifices made by earlier generations. Together, they embody the country’s national identity.
The flag has a precise 1:2 proportion
Its width is exactly twice its height, creating a 1:2 ratio. The red vertical band occupies one quarter of the flag’s total length, while the remaining three quarters are divided equally into three horizontal stripes: green at the top, white in the middle and black at the bottom. These carefully defined proportions ensure the flag maintains a consistent appearance wherever it is displayed.
