Red, White, Green and Black Flags
Only 8 flags use exactly red, white, green and black: the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Palestine, Sudan, Syria and Western Sahara.
Flags that are only red, white, green and black (8)
Flags with red, white, green and black and other colors (5)
Which countries have red, white, green and black flags?
Seven of the eight flags are from the Arab world, and they share one logic: bands of black, white and green (or red) plus a shape on the hoist side.
- Jordan: black, white and green stripes with a red chevron holding a white seven-pointed star.
- Palestine: the same three stripes with a red triangle on the hoist.
- Western Sahara: also black, white and green stripes with a red triangle, plus a red crescent and star in the center.
- Sudan: red, white and black stripes with a green triangle.
- Syria: red, white and black stripes with two green stars.
- Kuwait: green, white and red stripes with a black trapezoid on the hoist.
- United Arab Emirates: a vertical red bar next to green, white and black horizontal stripes.
The odd one out is Kenya. Its black, red and green stripes are separated by white fimbriations, and a Maasai shield with two spears sits in the center. Zimbabwe, South Sudan, South Africa, Guyana and Dominica use these colors too, but with extra colors such as yellow, so they are not exact matches.
Why are red, white, green and black so common on Arab flags?
The four colors are known as the Pan-Arab colors. They come from the flag of the Arab Revolt of 1916 against Ottoman rule, which used black, white, green and red, and many later Arab states built their flags from the same palette. Each color is often linked to an Arab dynasty or era, and the triangle or chevron on the hoist is a direct echo of the Revolt flag.
Kenya's palette has a different story. Black stands for the people, red for the struggle for independence, green for the land and white for peace. That shared choice of colors is why Kenya looks related to the Arab flags even though the designs are unrelated.
Frequently asked questions
Which country has a red, white, green and black flag?
Eight flags match exactly: the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Palestine, Sudan, Syria and Western Sahara.
What is the black, white and green flag with a red triangle?
That is Palestine. Jordan is similar but has a red chevron with a white star instead of a plain triangle, and Western Sahara adds a red crescent and star.
What are the Pan-Arab colors?
Red, white, green and black. They come from the 1916 Arab Revolt flag and appear on the flags of Jordan, Kuwait, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, the UAE and others.
Which flag has red, white and black stripes with a green triangle?
Sudan. Syria has the same stripes with two green stars instead of a triangle.