The flag of Morocco is a red and green two-tone flag. The bottom is red with a green pentagram in the center. Although it is simple in its design, this flag has a profound significance for the people.
The flag was officially adopted on November 17, 1915 and is celebrated on November 15, also independence day, during EID Al Istiqlal (Freedom Festival).
In this article we will see the following points:
- The story of the flag
- Meaning
- 16 amazing facts
History of the flag of Morocco
The Morocco is a country with a very old past, with access to the Mediterranean coast. The country was part of Carthaginian and Roman prehistoric Morocco, which housed some of the first indigenous kingdoms.
The first flag to be hoisted in Morocco belonged to The Dynasty of Idrisides In 788, which consisted of a simple white field. This dynasty introduced the Sharifi Muslim tradition and was the first dynasty to unify the country under Islam. As a result, it was recognized as the father of the state and lasted until 985.
Starting from 1040-1147, a new regime known as Almoravide introduced a new flag. The use of the red bottom flag started with the Almohade Califat. In the center of the flag was a black and white checkered square. In 1244, the merinid dynasty took power and kept the red bottom of the flag.
However, the patterned square has been removed and a golden border rectangle has been introduced. In the center of the square was a star with eight branches from the combination of two squares. Although the reign of the merinids ended, the flag was preserved by the two successive dynasties, the Wattasid dynasties and Saadi.
In 1666, the Alaouite dynasty took over and adopted a flag with a united red field. This flag was used until 1912, when the country passed under the domination of France and Spain. From 1912 to 1956, the French protectorate flag in Morocco consisted of a red background with a five-branch green star in the center.
The northern part of the country was under Spanish domination. Therefore, she had a different flag. Their flag had a red background with a flag bordered with green and white in the upper left corner and a white pentagram located in the green field.
In 1921, a revolt of a band of Riffians took place in the northern part of Morocco, which was known as the "Confederal Republic of Riffian tribes". Their flag consisting of a red background with a white diamond inside. Inside the diamond, there was a green croissant and a six-spike flag.
In 1923, a new territory known as the International Zone of Tangier was incorporated into Morocco. This territory also had its flag, which consisted of a red background with a green pentagram on the right side and a blazon on the left side. At the time, Tangier was an interzone, but later in 1956 she was reinstated in Morocco.
In 1955, the Sultan of Morocco, Muhammad V, returned from his exile and pronounces a triumphant speech in the capital, Rabat. He announces the end of French and Spanish domination. In 1956, the current flag of Morocco was adopted as an official flag.
Meaning of the colors of the flag of Morocco
1) Colors
The flag is composed of a red background. The red is one of the primary colors of the panarab era and is associated with victory on the battlefield. It symbolizes hardness, courage, strength and value. He recalls the Alawite dynasty (associated with bravery), the imams of Yemen and the sheriffs of Mecca.
Both red and green colors have a meaning in Islam. Green is the primary color of Islam and it means paradise in the Koran. However, in the flag, green symbolizes hope, wisdom, joy, peace and love.
Moroccans are deeply patriots. Therefore, the flag is for them a symbol of freedom and a reminder of the rich history of the country, its powerful dynasties and its independence.
2) Emblem
In the center of the flag of Morocco is a green pentagram. This emblem is a symbol of the five pillars of Islam: Shahada, alms, prayers, fasting and hajj. The pentagram represents not only the religion and the faith of the country, but also the hope of the people and the link between Allah and the king. Although, for others, it is the symbol of the link between God and the nation.
The emblem is recognized as the seal of Solomon. Before 1915, it was a 6-branch star. However, the French have changed it into a five-branch star without giving an official explanation. Even when French dominance ended, the use of the star persisted.
3) Form
The length / width ratio of the Moroccan flag is 2: 3. According to Article 7 of the Constitution, the diameter of the pentagram is equal to ⅓ of the length. The five points of the star each have 1/20 length. The emblem appears in an invisible circle and is more consistent with the official Moroccan marine because it occupies ½ of the height of the host.
The law states that the flag must be designed from a fast "Grand Tain", bright red, opaque and rectangular red material. The drawing of the star is an opening. Its nuance is a palm green. The star is woven into the fabric and must be visible on both sides of the flag.
A tip of the pentagram must be directed upwards. Its radius is equal to 1 / 6th of the length of the flag, and the center of the invisible circle is the intersection of the invisible diagonals of the flag.
16 interesting facts on the flag of Morocco
1) On May 8, 2010, the largest flag of Morocco was designed. He had the size of 60.409.78 square meters and weighed 20.000kg. This flag was hoisted in a disputed territory of Western Sahara known as Dakhla and is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the most gigantic flags ever hoisted.
2) For Moroccans, the red bottom of the flag represents Islam. A majority of the population adheres to Sufism. The Moroccan royal family claims to go down from Muhammad.
3) The emblem is known as Solomon's seal and goes back to Babylonian times. We think God has given Solomon a ring so that he can talk to animals and order demons. Conversely, specialists also associate the emblem in Fatima, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad.
4) The green pentagram is similar to David's star on the flag of Israel.
5) The royal flag of the country wears the green pentagram lined with a golden fringe. In some versions of the country flag, the drawing of the emblem is or full, either interlaced.
7) The country's national symbols include flag, coat of arms and barbarism lion. The country's motto is the phrase "Akuc, Amur, Agllid", which means "God, homeland, king". The country's coat of arms consist of two lions holding a shield.
8) Inside the shield are the green pentagram, the mountains of the Atlas and a sun rising on a red field. Under the shield is a ribbon on which the country's currency is registered.
9) Although most of the red flags of Arab countries are associated with the Emirates, Morocco is not part of the United Arab Emirates.
10) An American Pennsylvania used the Moroccan flag as a sign of resistance. He left the flag to drape with the window of his vehicle and cited the American-Moroccan peace treaty of 1787 as a reason not to receive police contravention.
11) There is little information on the history of the country in 1884. However, we know that the flag of the time consisted of a red background with a border composed of white triangles (five triangles on the width and nine triangles on the length). In the center of the flag was a pair of intertwined white scissors. This flag was recorded in the Dutch map and was known as "Maure Flag".
12) The country's civilian brand consists of the flag with an additional crown in the upper left corner. The crown is golden, with a green studded gold pattern at the bottom. The emblem is more important in the civilian sign than in the flag.
13) The country's naval sign is the same as the flag, with four additional crowns in the corners.
14) Every day of independence, Moroccans celebrate not only the flag, but also commemorate the day when King Mahomet returned from his exile to Madagascar. That day, the country organizes colorful parades and hides the national flag by singing the national anthem.
15) The country's navy flag consists of a shallow tail drawing with a yellow border outside, and the national flag inside.
16) The label of the Moroccan flag is strict. The law stipulates that the flag must always be deployed in the right position. When the flag is worn or ragged, it must be burned in a private place with respect and honor. It is forbidden to float the banner higher or lower than the flags of other nations. This act is interpreted as meaning that a flag is greater than or less than the other and is prohibited. Finally, the flag must never be dragged on the ground.
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