The Flag of Afghanistan: History, Meaning, and Symbolism

Since the turn of the twentieth century, Afghanistan has altered its flag more frequently than any other country. After the Taliban administration was toppled in 2004, a new flag was introduced. However, most recently in 2021, the flag was changed again. The flag of Afghanistan is the subject of this article, in which its origins, design, and symbolism are explored.

The Flag of Afghanistan History

Afghanistan has used a plethora of different national flags ever since the early 20th century. In fact, over the past century, the flag of Afghanistan has been altered or replaced at least eighteen times. Let’s explore some of the histories behind these changes and discuss the design of the current flag below!

1928 – 1973

In 1928, Amolloh Khan, who had recently returned from a tour to Europe, was intent on bringing new ideas and practices into the country. He decided on a multicolored flag, with black to represent the dark periods of the past, crimson to represent the slaughter that occurred during the fight for independence, and green to represent the optimism and prosperity of the future.

As soon as Amollah was deposed by conservative forces, the previously used flag of Afghanistan, which featured a white symbol on a black field, was reinstated. The three-color flag was used again after Mohammad Nder Shah ascended to the throne in 1929. It remained in use until 1973 when the monarchy was toppled, and a republic was created.

1974 – 1986

The flag of the Republic of Afghanistan was revised in 1974, with the same colors but a different arrangement. The flag has a corner eagle, its wings spread to reveal a mihrab on its chest. There was a field of wheat in the background.

After the assassination of Daoud in a communist coup in 1978, Nur Mohammad Taraki took office. After the seal was removed from the flag, the color of the flag was altered. The flag was changed to the color red and a seal was added to one corner. Underneath a ribbon honoring the coup, the word “Khalq” (people) was depicted on a wheat wreath. Despite all of the praise, the people were dissatisfied with their leadership, and the kingdom became unstable.

In September 1979, Hafizullah Amin assassinated Taraki and took power. The Soviet Union invaded in December to “help” the communist regime, installing Babrak Karmal as president. In 1980, both the flag and emblem were updated. On a green background with a book open was the new seal’s sun rising above a mihrab. On top of a wheat wreath were a red star and a cogwheel, symbolizing the industrial sector.

Soviet puppet state Mohammad Najibullah took power when Karmal was deposed in 1986. About 90,000 Mujahideen warriors rose up in opposition to the government and the Soviets. After the red star and book were taken from the seal and the cog lowered, the seal was modified once more.

1992–1996

During the time of the republic, the stripes were arranged in a horizontal fashion. Additionally, a new coat of arms was designed. However, during the communist governments that were in power from 1978 and 1992, the flags mirrored those regimes.

Islamic insurgents, often known as mujahideen, were successful in toppling the government after a bloody and drawn-out civil war. Their flag, which was officially accepted on December 3, 1992, had stripes. The stripes were green, white, and black, and a golden coat of arms was in the middle. Additionally depicted on the coat of arms were two flags, two crossed swords, and wheat sheaves. There was also a mosque with a prayer area and altar.

After two years of fighting, the Taliban were able to conquer Kabul in 1996. They declared Afghanistan an Islamic emirate and changed the flag to entirely white, later adding the Shahada in black the following year. The Shahada is the Muslim declaration of faith which is, “there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah (God).” By 1997, these banners dominated the majority of Afghanistan.

2001 – 2002

The Taliban were overthrown, and an interim government was set up in Afghanistan by the end of 2001 thanks to the efforts of anti-Taliban forces headed by the Afghan government and backed by the United States. The flag and symbol change back to the Zaher era colors and the 1992 emblem without the swords a month after Hamid Karzai is appointed to lead the US-backed transitional administration for two years.

2013 – 2020

It was near the end of Karzai’s presidency in August 2013 when a slightly revised flag was introduced. The black and green stripes were widened, and the white insignia was made larger and more intricate. After over 18 years of war, in February 2020, the United States and the Taliban signed an “agreement for bringing peace” to Afghanistan.

2021

The most recent flag of Afghanistan also known as the national flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, or the Taliban flag, is a reinstatement of the flag raised by the Taliban in 1996. It features a black Shahada on a white background. It was enacted on August 15, 2021, after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in the war between the United States and Afghanistan. (2001-2021).

The Flag of Afghanistan Design And Colors

Up until recently (2021) the flag of Afghanistan was a horizontal tricolor consisting of black, red, and green. The Takbir, the Arabic word for “God is great,” and the Arabic inscription of the Muslim creed was featured on the national emblem in the center of the flag. This emblem consisted of two flags, as well as a mosque and a pulpit, surrounded by sheaves of wheat. The Islamic calendar year 1298 (or 1919), which is when Afghanistan gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and the country’s name “Afghanistan,” were also featured.

When the Taliban retook power in 2021, they modified the flag to one that was entirely white with the Shahada printed in black. This is the same one used in 1996. The Shahada reads, “La ilah ila Allah, Mohammad Rasoul Allah” which in full translation means “I bear witness that there is no god but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of God.”

Symbolism

The colors of the flag prior to 2021 were representative of different traits and the history of Afghanistan, including the bloodshed in the fight for independence, prosperity, and religion, and the nation’s troubled past. The colors used were black, red, and green.

The present Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan flag is a simple white banner with the black words of the shahada inscribed in the middle. The color white represents “the Islamic Movement of Taliban’s purity of faith and government.” The Shahada is the Muslim declaration of faith in their God (Allah).

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