Flag of Saudi Arabia

Facts about the Flag of Saudi Arabia

1. The flag carries the shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, and is therefore never flown at half-mast.
2. Because the text must read correctly from both sides, the flag is manufactured as two layers sewn back to back rather than as a single sheet.
3. Reproducing it on clothing, merchandise or anything that might be discarded is discouraged, which is why it is absent from many international sporting displays.
4. The flag of Saudi Arabia was officially adopted on March 15, 1973.
5. The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1932, 41 years before it was formally made the flag of Saudi Arabia.
6. The flag in its present form is 53 years old as of 2026.
7. Design type: Green field with the shahada in white Thuluth script above a sword.
8. The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
9. The flag uses 2 colours: green and white.
10. The green on the flag stands for Islam.
11. The white on the flag stands for purity, the script and the sword.
12. Shahada: The Islamic declaration of faith — because it is sacred, the flag is never flown at half-mast and is printed on both sides so the text always reads correctly.
13. Sword: Justice and the House of Saud.
14. The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
15. Flags most often confused with it: Belize, Brazil and California.
16. Saudi Arabia became independent on 23 September 1932 from no colonial power — the date marks the unification of the kingdom.
17. Saudi Arabia was never colonised; the modern state was proclaimed when the Hejaz and Nejd were united in 1932.
18. Football is the national sport, alongside traditional camel racing and falconry.