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Syria - Flags

The flags of Syria have undergone several changes throughout history, reflecting the country's complex political evolution, changing governments, and regional alliances. This evolution of Syria's flags reflects the nation's historical struggles, ambitions, and political ideologies. No one seems to much care for dimensions in the Syrian flag if it is a triband with stars in the white stripe, it is a Syrian flag, regardless of the size or position of the stars, or the color of the top stripe.

Post-Ba'athist Era (2024-xxxx)		Syria probably reverted to the widely used 1946 flag with three red stars Symbolism of the Flag uncertain, possibly Green: Islam, Unity and Arabism. White: Bright future and peace. Black: Dark colonial past. Red Stars: Sacrifices of Syrian martyrs. The three stars symbolize the hopes for unity among Sunni, Alawite & Kurkish people. After pro-democracy demonstrations erupted in Syria in March 2011, protesters used a variety of symbols to unite and galvanise the opposition to the Assad regime. Prominent among these symbols was the green, white and black flag of the former Syrian Republic, which existed before the Assad dynasty seized to power. The flag was officially adopted by the main opposition coalition, the Syrian National Council, and the Free Syrian Army, an armed rebel group that vowed to overthrow Assad by force.
Ba'athist Era (1980–2024)		The two-star red-white-black tricolor was reinstated and remained in use until 2024. Symbolism of the Flag Red: Sacrifices of Syrian martyrs. White: Bright future and peace. Black: Dark colonial past. Green Stars: Unity and Arabism. The two stars now symbolize the hopes for unity among Arab nations.
Ba'athist Era (1972–1980)		Syria joined the Federation of Arab Republics with Egypt and Libya on 01 January 1972. They adopted the same flag, with minor variations, for the three countries: red-white-black horizontal tricolour with the hawk of Quraish (the tribe of Mohammad) looking to the hoist on the white band with a small inscription of the name of the federation below. The Federation of Arab Republics ended March 1977, but Syria retained the flag for another three years.
Ba'athist Era (1963–1972)		A red-white-black tricolor with two green stars in the white stripe, reinstated by the Ba'ath Party after the 1963 coup.
Post-UAR Era (1961–1963)		Syria reverted to the 1946 flag with three red stars after the dissolution of the UAR in 1961.
United Arab Republic (1958–1961)		Three horizontal stripes of red, white, and black with two green stars in the white stripe. This flag symbolized Syria’s union with Egypt as the United Arab Republic (UAR). The two stars represented Syria and Egypt.
Independence (1946–1958)		Flag (1946–1958): The same design as the 1932 flag was adopted after Syria gained independence from France. Symbolism of the Flag changed: Green: Rashidun Caliphate White: Umayyad Caliphate Black: Abbasid Caliphate Red Stars: Unity, freedom, and Arab nationalism
French Mandate (1932–1946)		Three horizontal stripes of green, white, and black with three red stars on the white stripe. The three stars represented the three regions under the French mandate: Damascus, Aleppo, and the Alawite State. The Kurds only friends are the mountains, so they had no star. Elections were held in 1932 and a Treaty acceptable to both parties was concluded in 1936, adding Latakia (including Alexandretta) and Jebel Druze to the 'Republic'. The stars then stood for Aleppo with Damascus and Deir es Zor (one), Jebel Druze (one) and Latakia (one). Kurds still had no star of their own. Symbolism: green represents the Omayyad caliphates white stands for the Abbasside dynasty black proclaims the early Islamic era
French Mandate (1922–1932)		In June 1922 France established a loose federation between the four Syrian puppet states (Damascus, Latakia, Aleppo, and Jebel Druze); Lebanon was considered a separate entity thereafter. According to Jaume Ollé, the federal flag is created, horizontal green-white-green with French flag in canton.
Kingdom of Syria (1920)		King Feisal, when becoming King of Syria in 1920, unfurled a Hashimite banner. Flag was a horizontal tricolor of black, white, and green with a red triangle containing a white star. The design was inspired by the Arab Revolt flag but adapted to represent the short-lived Arab Kingdom of Syria under King Faisal I.
Arab Revolt Flag (1917–1920)		Horizontal tricolor of black, green, and white with a red triangle on the hoist side. Symbolism: Black: Abbasid Caliphate White: Umayyad Caliphate Green: Fatimid Caliphate Red Triangle: Arab liberation This flag was associated with the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule during the Great War. Sharif Hussein designed the flag of the Arab Revolt on June 1916. The Palestinian people raised it as the flag of the Arab National movement in 1917. In 1947, the Arab Ba'ath Party interpreted the flag as a symbol of the liberation and unity of the Arab nation. The Palestinian people readopted the flag at the Palestinian conference in Gaza in 1948. The flag was recognized by the Arab League as the flag of the Palestinian people.
Ottoman Empire (1516–1918)		Flag: The Ottoman Empire's flags were used during this period, typically variations of red flags with crescent and star motifs. Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire for several centuries, so no distinct Syrian flag existed. The Damascus Sanjak [sanjak = region] included all the area of present day Syria, Lebanon, Israel / Palestine and Jordan.