Flag of Palestine | Meaning, Symbolism & History
Palestine is a nation in the Levant known for its olive oil, textiles, oranges, and resilient spirit. In recent years, it has been a subject of global interest and solidarity in its struggles for freedom and self determination.
In this guide, you’ll find detailed information about the flag of Palestine’s origins, symbolism, and global appeal. You’ll also discover some interesting facts about Palestine that you may not know.
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Key takeaways
- The flag of Palestine has black, white, and green horizontal stripes and a red triangle, which reflect pan-Arabism and connections to Arab history and heritage.
- The design has been used since the 1920s and is closely related to the Arab Revolt flag; it was officially adopted by the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1964.
- The flag became a symbol of resistance and, particularly since October 2023, a widely recognized symbol of global solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle for liberation.
- Learn more about Palestinian geography and culture, such as Tatreez embroidery, traditional cuisine, ancient cities such as Jericho, colorful spring wildflowers, and the Dead Sea.
Flag of Palestine overview
Learn the basics about the flag of Palestine, including the year it was adopted, its colors, and what inspired it.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Official name | Flag of the State of Palestine |
| Use | National flag |
| Adopted | 28 May 1964 |
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Colors | Red, white, black, and green |
| Coat of arms | Presidential standard version only |
| Inspired by | Arab liberation flag, pan-Arabism |
Flag of Palestine meaning and symbolism
The flag of Palestine is a tricolor with horizontal stripes in black, white, and green. In addition, the flag has a red triangle on the left-hand side. Together, these colors represent Pan-Arabism. Here’s what these components mean in more depth:
- Red: Symbolizes the blood on the swords of the warriors in the Arab anti-colonial revolts, along with the Hashemite dynasty, which is the royal family of Jordan
- White: Signifies purity and noble deeds as, well as the Umayyad dynasty—the second Islamic caliphate that ruled over the 7th and 11th centuries
- Black: Stands for the defeat of enemies in battle, in addition to the Abbasid dynasty, which served as the third Islamic caliphate
- Green: Represents the fertile lands found in Arab nations and the Fatimid dynasty and caliphate, which descended from Fatima and Ali—a prominent couple in early Islam
Flag of Palestine history
The flag of Palestine has been in use since the 1920s and bears likeness to the original flag of the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire. Each color represents four prominent Arab dynasties. These colors are also shared by other national flags in the region, including those of Jordan and Sudan.
Over the course of the 1930s onward, the flag of Palestine has also been a symbol of resistance—initially against the British and then against Israeli occupation. It was officially adopted by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964. In the 1960s, the flag’s usage was also outlawed by Israel, and the watermelon—which bears the same colors and is a cherished fruit in Palestine—took over as a symbol.
Since October 2023, the Palestinian flag has also become an emblem of widespread global solidarity with the Palestinian people and their ongoing struggle for liberation.
Interesting facts about Palestine
Discover some unique facts about Palestinian culture, cuisine, and geography that you may not know:
- Palestine is famous for its intricate style of embroidery known as the Tatreez.
- It is also well known for its cuisine—from olive oil and za’atar to being the birthplace of the knafeh dessert.
- Palestine is home to some of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, such as Jericho.
- In the spring, Palestinian fields bloom with a diverse range of colorful wildflowers.
- Palestine sits at the lowest natural point of elevation on Earth, as it borders the Dead Sea.
Frequently asked questions about the flag of Palestine
- What flag is red green white and black?
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Some flags that are red, green, white, and black are the flag of Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Sudan, Kuwait, Libya, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates.
These are the “pan-Arab colors” used on many flags connected to the Arab world. Some other countries outside the Arab world that use these colors on their flags are Kenya and Malawi.
If you want to discover more flags that are red, green, white, and black, ask Quillbot’s AI Chat.
- What are some places that start with P?
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Places that start with P include several countries and many cities.
- Countries that start with P: Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal
- Cities that start with P: Puyang (China), Pyongyang (North Korea), Pune (India), Paris (France), Perth (Australia), Patna (India), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Philadelphia (US), Phoenix (US), Port-au-Prince (Haiti), Prague (Czechia)
Quillbot’s AI Chat can show you even more words that start with P, and it’s completely free to try.
- Why do the Sudanese and Palestinian flags look so similar?
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The Sudanese and Palestinian flags look similar because they both use pan-Arab flag colors of red, green, white, and black and a tricolor design with a triangle on the side.
They signify pan-Arab identity and the regional revolts against colonialism following World War I.
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Other interesting articles
If you want to know more about colors, letters, or the meaning of emojis, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.