Flag of Egypt
The national flag of Egypt consists of three equally sized horizontal bands of red, white, and black. Centered on the white band is Egypt’s national emblem, the Eagle of Saladin. The emblem consists of a shield imposed on a golden eagle facing the hoist-side of the flag. Beneath it is a scroll bearing the name of Egypt in Arabic. The flag has a proportion of 2:3.
Specifications
The emblem is sometimes depicted in different colors. Some flags have the emblem presented as follows:
- gold-white-gold;
- red-white-black;
- light gold -white-dark gold;
- white – white - white with two gold vertical lines dividing the three parts.
ColorSpecifications
Scheme |
Red |
Gold |
Pantone |
186 c |
116c |
CMYK (%) |
C 0 - M 90 - Y 80 - K 5 |
C 0 - M 15 - Y 95 - K 0 |
Symbolism
- Red: This color represents the period before the 1952 Revolution. This event brought armed officers into power after overthrowing the then ruling monarch of King Farouk. This period was characterized by the country’s struggle against British occupation.
- White: Symbolizes the beginning of the 1952 Revolution that ended the monarchy without succumbing to force and violence.
- Black: Symbolizes the end of the oppression of the people under the monarchy and British colonialism.
History
Reign of Muhammad Ali (1805–1922) |
Muhammad Ali, appointed Wali of Egypt by the Ottoman sultan, used a flag bearing three white crescents and stars on a red field. It signified his armies’ victory over Asia, Africa, and Europe. It also signified his dominion over Egypt, Nubia, and Sudan. |
Kingdom of Egypt (1923 –1952) |
The first official national flag for modern Egypt was created by a Royal Decree of the Kingdom of Egypt in 1923. The flag featured a white crescent with three white stars on a green background. |
Republic of Egypt (1952–1958) |
The kingdom’s green flag with white crescent and stars was replaced with a red-white-black tricolor horizontal flag that bore an eagle emblem on the white band. The eagle bore a shield with crescent and stars. |
United Arab Republic (1958 – 1972) |
A Presidential Decree in 1958 created a new flag for the United Arab Republic, a merger of Egypt and Syria. The flag bore two green stars on the white stripe. |
Republic of Egypt (1972 – 1984) |
Egypt still used the tricolor horizontal flag, but the emblem bore a golden hawk or the "Hawk of Qureish". The hawk holds a scroll with the Arabic name of the Federation of Arab Republics which Egypt had joined earlier. |
Republic of Egypt (1984 – present) |
Restoration of the Eagle of Saladin with the scroll bearing Egypt’s name in Arabic. |
