United Arab Emirates

3×5' nylon national flag of the United Arab Emirates.

The UAE flag was designed by a nineteen-year-old, Abdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, whose entry was chosen from more than a thousand in 1971. He later became an ambassador.

Design

Three equal horizontal bands of green, white and black, with a vertical red band at the hoist.

History & Symbolism

The flag was raised on 2 December 1971, when six emirates formed the federation; Ras Al Khaimah joined in 1972. Its colors are the Pan-Arab colors, often explained by the verse of the poet Safi al-Din al-Hilli: "White are our deeds, black our battles, green our fields, and red our swords."

Flag Specifications

• Adopted: 2 December 1971
• Official proportions: 1:2
• Colors: green, white, black, red

Vexillographer's Note

Kuwait's flag uses the same four colors with a black trapezoid at the hoist. The UAE's red hoist band runs the full height of the flag.

Humphrys Flag Company · Old City Philadelphia · Est. 1864