Flag of Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabia flag is a green field with white Arabic calligraphy above a horizontal sword. The text is the Islamic declaration of faith, the Shahada, which is why the flag is never flown at half-mast.
What the flag of Saudi Arabia looks like
The flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a rectangle with a width-to-height ratio of 2:3. The field is entirely dark green. In the upper part is a line of white Arabic script in the thuluth style, and beneath it a white sword placed horizontally with its point toward the left, the direction in which the script is read.
The flag is made with identical obverse and reverse sides, so that the Arabic text reads correctly from right to left on both faces, and the sword points to the left on both sides, in the direction of the script. This makes it more complex to produce than most flags. The design also has official proportions for the text and the sword.
The flag is easy to tell apart from other green-and-white flags such as that of Pakistan, which has a white crescent and star and a white stripe. For the small icon version see the Saudi Arabia flag emoji.
Saudi Arabia flag colors
Color codes measured from the official design. Use HEX for the web and CMYK for print.
HEX
#005430RGB
0, 84, 48CMYK
100, 0, 43, 67 HEX
#FEFFFERGB
254, 255, 254CMYK
0, 0, 0, 0 HEX
#3F7D62RGB
63, 125, 98CMYK
50, 0, 22, 51 What the Saudi flag says and what it means
Many people search for what the Saudi flag says. The Arabic text is the Shahada, the first pillar of Islam: La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadun rasul Allah. In English: There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God. It is both a statement of Muslim belief and the central religious phrase for the country, which contains Mecca and Medina, the two holiest cities in Islam.
The green background represents Islam, and the sword stands for safety and justice.
Since the flag carries the name of God and the Prophet, it is treated with special respect. It is not lowered to half-mast, even at times of national mourning, and it should not be used on clothing, souvenirs or sports items in a way that could be seen as disrespectful.
History of the Saudi Arabia flag
The ruling Al Saud family has long been closely linked with Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, and since the 18th century his followers used the Shahada on their flags. The flag of the state of Nejd followed today's pattern very closely, while Hejaz used Pan-Arab style flags. From 1902 until 1921 a different Arabic inscription was used, and in 1921 Abdulaziz Al Saud, the future founder of the kingdom, added a sword to the flag.
The unified Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was proclaimed in 1932. Variants with two swords and/or a white vertical stripe at the hoist were frequently used. By 1938 the flag had basically taken its present form, except that the sword was more curved and, with the text above it, took up more of the flag. The design was not standardized until 15 March 1973, when its use became official.
Saudi Arabia celebrates Flag Day on 11 March, which was introduced in 2023. The royal standard is also green, with the same inscription and sword, and has the national emblem in gold in the lower right corner.
Saudi Arabia flag facts
| Country | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|
| Flag adopted | March 15, 1973 |
| Proportions | 2:3 |
| Colors | #005430, #FEFFFE, #3F7D62 |
| Symbols | sword, Shahada |
| Flag emoji | 🇸🇦 |
| Country code | SA, SAU (ISO 3166) |
| Capital | Riyadh |
| Continent | Asia |
| Population | 33,000,000 |
| Area | 2,250,000 km² |
| Currency | Saudi riyal |
| National anthem | Chant of the Saudi Nation |
Saudi Arabia flag: frequently asked questions
What does the Saudi Arabia flag say?
The white Arabic text is the Shahada: 'There is no god but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God.' It is the Islamic declaration of faith.
Why is there a sword on the Saudi flag?
The sword stands for safety and justice. The flag is said to have acquired its sword in 1921 under Abdulaziz, who later founded the modern kingdom.
What is the old flag of Saudi Arabia?
Earlier flags used the same green background and Shahada, but some versions had two swords or a white stripe at the hoist, and the sword was more curved and larger. The present form dates mainly from 1938 and its use became official on 15 March 1973.
Why is the Saudi flag never flown at half-mast?
The flag displays the Shahada, which contains the name of God. Lowering it is considered disrespectful to the text, so it stays at full height on all occasions.
Does Saudi Arabia belong to Asia or Africa?
Saudi Arabia is in Asia. It occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia and is separated from Africa by the Red Sea. See flags of Asia.
Are Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the same?
Yes. 'Kingdom of Saudi Arabia' is the official name of the country, and 'Saudi Arabia' is the common short form. The capital is Riyadh.
