Flag of Morocco – Colors, Meaning, History 🇲🇦

Home
Guide
Flag of Morocco – Colors, Meaning, History 🇲🇦

Flag of Morocco – Colors, Meaning, History 🇲🇦

The flag of Morocco is a double colored red and green flag. The background of the flag is red with a green pentagram at the center. Although it is simple in its design, this flag has a profound meaning to the people. The flag was officially adopted on November 17, 1915 and is celebrated on November 15, also independence day, during Eid Al Istiqlal (The Festival of Freedom).

History of the Flag of Morocco
Meaning behind the colors of the Flag of Morocco
Interesting Facts about the Flag of Morocco

History of the Flag of Morocco

Morocco is a country with an ancient past and access to the Mediterranean coast. Morocco was part of the prehistoric Carthaginian and Roman Morocco, which was home to some of the earliest indigenous kingdoms. In the 4th Century BC there was the Mauri and later on the Numidia.

The first flag to be hoisted in Morocco belonged to the Idrisid dynasty in 788, which consisted of a simple white field. This dynasty introduced the Muslim Sharifi tradition and was the first dynasty to unify the country under Islam. As a result, it was recognized as the father of the state and lasted until 985. As of 1040-1147, a new regime known as the Almoravid introduced a new flag. The new flag retained the white background with added text in Arabic at the center.

The use of the flag with a red background started with the Almohad Caliphate. At the center of the flag was a checkered black and white square. In 1244, the Marinid dynasty took over and retained the red background of the flag. However, the patterned square was removed, and a golden bordered rectangle was introduced. At the center of the square was an eight-pointed star derived from a combination of two squares. Although the rule of the Marinid came to an end, the flag was retained by the two successive dynasties, Wattasid and Saadi dynasties.

In 1666 the Alaouite Dynasty took over and adopted a flag with a plain red field. This flag was used until 1912 when the country came under the rule of France and Spain. From 1912 to 1956, the flag of the French Protectorate in Morocco consisted of a red background with a green five-pointed star at the center. The northern part of the country was under Spanish rule. As a result, they had a different flag. Their flag had a red background with a green-white bordered flag at the upper left corner and a white pentagram located within the green field.

In 1921, a revolt by a band of Riffians took place in the Northern Part of Morocco, which came to be known as the “Confederal Republic of the Tribes of Riffians.” Their flag consisted of a red background with a white diamond within it. Inside the diamond, there was a green crescent and a six-pointed flag. In 1923, a new territory known as the Tangier International Zone was incorporated into Morocco. This territory also had its flag, which consisted of a red background with a green pentagram at the right-hand side and a coat of arms on the left. At the time, Tangier was an interzone, but later in 1956, it was reintegrated into Morocco.

In 1955, the Sultan of Morocco, Sultan Muhammad V returned from his exile and gave a triumphant speech in the Capital of Rabat. He announced the end of French and Spanish rule. In 1956, Morocco’s present flag was adopted as the official flag.

Meaning behind the colors of the Flag of Morocco

Colors
The flag consists of a red background. Red is one of the primary colors of the Pan-Arabic era and is associated with victory on the battlefield. It symbolizes hardness, courage, strength, and valor. It reminds the people of the Alaouite dynasty (associated with bravery), the Imams of Yemen, and the Sheriffs of Mecca. Both the colors red and green have meaning in Islam. Green is the primary color of Islam, and it signifies paradise in the Quran. However, in the flag, green symbolizes hope, wisdom, joy, peace, and love.

Moroccans are deeply patriotic. As a result, the flag to them is a symbol of liberty and a reminder of the country’s rich history, powerful dynasties, and their independence.

Emblem
At the center of the flag of Morocco is a green pentagram. This emblem is a symbol of the five pillars of Islam: The Shahada, Alms, Prayers, Fasting, and Hajj. The pentagram not only represents the country’s religion and faith but also the hope of the people and the connection between Allah and the King. Although, to others, it is a symbol of the connection between God and the nation.

The Emblem is recognized as the Seal of Solomon. Before 1915, it was a 6-pointed star. However, the French changed it to a five-pointed star without giving any official explanation. Even when French domination came to an end, the use of the star persisted.

Shape
The length to width ratio of the Moroccan flag is 2:3. According to Article 7 of the constitution, the diameter of the pentagram is ⅓ of the length. The five pointers of the star are each 1/20 of the length. The emblem appears in an invisible circle and is more substantial on the official Moroccan Royal navy as it takes up ½ of the height of the host.

The law stipulates that the flag should be designed from a fast “grand taint” material that is bright red, opaque, and rectangular. The design of the star is overture. Its shade is a green-palm tree shade. The star is woven into the fabric and should be visible on both sides of the flag. One point of the pentagram must point upwards. Its radius is 1/6th of the length of the flag, and the center of the invisible circle is the intersection of the invisible diagonals of the flag.

Interesting Facts about the Flag of Morocco

On May 8, 2010, the most enormous flag of Morocco was designed. It had the size of 60,409.78 square meters and weighed 20,000Kg. This flag was hoisted in a disputed territory in Western Sahara known as Dakhla and is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the most gigantic flags ever raised.
To Moroccan’s, the red background of the flag represents Islam. A majority of the population adheres to Sufism. The Moroccan royal family claim to have descended from Mohammad.
The emblem is known as the seal of Solomon and dates back to the Babylonian era. It is believed that God gave Solomon a ring so that he could talk to animals and command demons. Conversely, scholars also associate the emblem with Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Mohammed.
The green pentagram is similar to the star of David that appears on the flag of Israel.
The royal flag of the country has the green pentagram bordered with a golden fimbriation. In some versions of the country’s flag, the emblem’s design is either solid or interlaced.
The national symbols of the country include the flag, the coat of arms, and the Barbary Lion. The country’s motto is the phrase, “Akuc, Amur, Agllid,” which means, “God, Homeland, King.” The country’s coat of arms consists of two lions holding a shield.
Within the shield are the green pentagram, the Atlas Mountains, and a rising sun on a red field. Below the shield is a ribbon with the country’s motto inscribed.
Although most of the red flags in Arab nations are associated with the Emirate states, Morocco is not part of the United Arab Emirates.
An American man in Pennsylvania used the Moroccan flag as a sign of resistance. He let the flag drape along with the window of his vehicle and cited the 1787 American-Moroccan Peace treaty as his reason against receiving a police ticket.
There is limited information about the history of the country in 1884. However, it is recorded that the flag at the time consisted of a red background with a border made up of white triangles (five triangles on its width and 9 triangles on its length). At the center of the flag was a pair of white scissors crisscrossed. This flag was recorded in the Dutch chart and was known as the ‘Moorish flag.”
The Civil ensign of the country is made up of the flag with an additional crown at the upper left corner. The crown is goldish, with some green studded gold pattern at the bottom. The emblem is more significant in the civil ensign compared to the flag.
The Naval ensign of the country is the same as the flag, with an additional four crowns at its corners.
Every Independence Day, Moroccans not only celebrate the flag but also commemorate the day King Muhammad returned from exile in Madagascar. On that day, the country holds colorful parades, and hoist the national flag while singing the national anthem.
The naval jack of the country consists of a shallow-tailed design with a yellow border on the outside, and the national flag within it.
Moroccan flag etiquette is strict. The law stipulates that the flag should always be flown in the correct position. When the flag gets worn out or tattered, it should be burned in a private place with respect and honor. It is forbidden to fly the banner higher or lower other nation’s flags. This act is interpreted as meaning one flag is superior or inferior to the other and is therefore forbidden. Lastly, the flag should never be dragged on the ground.