Last modified: 2008-01-19 by ian macdonald
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![[Flag of Kuwait]](../images/k/kw.gif)
1:2 image by Željko Heimer
Flag adopted 7 September 1961 and
officially hoisted 24 November 1961; coat of arms adopted in
1963.
On this page:
See also:
"Kuwaiti flags came in all shapes and sizes from the establishment
of Kuwait until 1961, when on gaining full independence the
government decided to replace the old flag with a new design. This
was promulgated by a law issued on 7/9/1961 (27
Rabi 1 1381 AH). The first article stipulated that Kuwait's national
flag should consist of a horizontal rectangle which is twice as long
as it is wide. This is divided into three equal horizontal stripes,
the top one being green, the middle white and the bottom red, with
the side next to the flag pole forming the base of a black trapezoid
protruding into the stripes. The colors of the flag are derived from
a poem by Safie Al-Deen Al-Hili."
Source: the defunct Kuwait Information Center website
Dov Gutterman, 1 April 1999
The official explanation refers to the pan-Arab colours:
Another explanation says that white signifies honor, black stands
for the sand whirled by Kuwaiti horsemen in the battle for freedom,
green for the fields and red for gallantry.
Source: Webster's Concise Encyclopedia of Flags &
Coats of Arms [mch85]
Jarig Bakker, 21 July 1999
The colors of the Kuwaiti flag are an example of the use of the Pan-Arab colors used in the Arab revolt of World War I. According to the sources quoted there the Pan-Arab colors represent the following:
![[Construction sheet]](../images/k/kw'.gif)
image by Željko Heimer
Source: Album des Pavillons [pay00] and law #26 on the flag.
![[Coat of arms of Kuwait]](../images/k/kw).gif)
from the website of the Kuwaiti embassy in Argentina
"The emblem of Kuwait consisted of 'a helmet with a falcon and two
intersecting flags over it' until the middle of 1963, when the
Council of Ministers decided to replace it with a new one. The
present emblem of Kuwait is a falcon with outspread wings embracing a
dhow (boom) sailing on blue and white waves. It is a symbol of
Kuwait's maritime tradition."
Source: the defunct Kuwait Information Center website
The inscription is Dawlat ul-Kuwait (State of Kuwait).
Dov Gutterman, 21 March 2001
![[Jack]](../images/k/kw~j.gif)
image by
Željko Heimer
Navy blue flag with a white disk containing the naval emblem. The
emblem consists of the zaruk ship on waves over a white anchor
encircled with a golden wreath and crowned with the
Emir's crown.
Source: Album des Pavillons
[pay00]
Željko Heimer, 3 April 2002
![[Tribute flag]](../images/k/kw_pow.gif)
image by Santiago Tazón
Flag with a yellow background and a circle in the center with the
logo formed by two hands in the national colors gripping the bars.
The motto, written in English and Arabic, is We will never
forget you.
Santiago Tazón, 24 May 2002
This flag is not just for prisoners of war (none of which the
Iraqis admit holding) but for all Kuwaitis missing from the 1990-91
war, many of whom are civilians apparently taken to Iraq during the
occupation. I believe the logo on the flag is that of the national
commission for missing Kuwaitis.
Joseph McMillan, 25 May 2002