Flag of Palestine facts for kids

The flag of Palestine, a symbol of its people.

The flag of Palestine (Arabic: علم فلسطين‎) is a special symbol for the Palestinian people. It has three horizontal stripes of black, white, and green. On the side closest to the flagpole, there is a red triangle. This flag represents the Palestinian people, their history, and their hopes for the future.

What Does the Flag Look Like?

The Palestinian flag is a horizontal tricolour. This means it has three stripes going across. The top stripe is black, the middle stripe is white, and the bottom stripe is green. On the left side, where the flag is attached to the pole (called the hoist), there is a red triangle.

The Meaning of the Colors

Each color on the flag has a special meaning. These colors are known as the Pan-Arab colors, which are used by many Arab nations.

• Black often stands for the Abbasid Caliphate, an important Islamic empire. It can also represent the dark times of oppression.
• White often represents the Umayyad Caliphate, another significant Islamic empire. It can also symbolize peace and purity.
• Green is the color of Islam and the Fatimid Caliphate. It also stands for the land of Palestine and its fertile fields.
• Red represents the Hashemite dynasty, a royal family. It also symbolizes the blood shed by martyrs in the fight for freedom and independence.

A Short History of the Flag

The design of the Palestinian flag comes from the flag of the Arab Revolt. This revolt happened in 1916, when Arab people fought for independence from the Ottoman Empire. The flag was designed by Sharif Hussein, the leader of the revolt.

After the Arab Revolt, this flag became a symbol for Arab nationalism. Many Arab countries used similar designs. For Palestinians, it became their national flag. It was officially adopted by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964. Later, when the Palestinian Authority was formed, they also used this flag.

The flag is now recognized around the world as the flag of the State of Palestine. It is flown at the United Nations and at Palestinian embassies everywhere.

Why is This Flag Important?

The flag of Palestine is more than just a piece of cloth. It is a powerful symbol for the Palestinian people.

• It shows their identity and unity.
• It represents their struggle for self-determination and statehood.
• It is a sign of their hope for a peaceful and independent future.

People often wave the flag at protests, celebrations, and cultural events. It reminds them of their history and their shared goals.

Images for kids

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  Arab flag over the Alhambra Cinema, Jaffa, 1937