9 facts about the meaning of Saudi Arabian Flag

All of us have seen the flag of Saudi Arabia and therefore, many people wonder what is the meaning of the green color and white sword and the translation of the words written on it?

1. The Old Saudi Flag

The flag of Saudi Arabia was adopted by the government of Saudi Arabia on the 15^th of March 1932.

In 1912, when Najd was taken over by Ibn Saud, the white sword was put on the flag of Saudi Arabia right below the Islamic inscription printed on it.

2. Punishment for insulting the flag

Article 20 of the Kingdom’s Flag Law stipulates 1-year Jail with SR 3,000 fine against anyone who drops or destroys or insults the national flag.

2. Ratio height of 3:2

A fact which many of us don’t know is that the green flag of Saudi Arabia is not a square but a rectangularly shaped flag with a ratio height of 3:2. 

• Recommended: 5 facts about Saudi National Anthem

3. What is written on Saudi Flag?

The words written on the flag of Saudi Arabia are لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا الله مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ الله which translates into a meaning of ‘’There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is Allah’s messenger’’.

The words written on the flag of Saudi Arabia are holy and Islamic hence this flag can never be used as clothes or other items.

4. The green flag with a white sword

Yes, there is a special meaning for choosing white and green colors for the flag of Saudi Arabia as they were the favorite colors of the messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

5. Why is there a sword on the Saudi flag?

The sword on the flag of Saudi Arabia also has a special meaning. The sword designed on the Saudi flag is a symbol of the House of Saud which is the founding empire of the country. The swords also depict the strength and power of Saudi Arabia.

6. Saudi Flag on Footballs

In 2002, FIFA requested permission from the officials to use this flag on one of their footballs. The request was immediately denied by the official because kicking a ball with a Saudi Arabian flag is not allowed under any circumstances due to the Holy inscription printed on it.

The flag of Saudi Arabia was printed by a private company on the footballs for commercial selling as Saudi Arabia was one of the teams which qualified for the 2018 FIFA world cup. 

However, after the public backlash, the company discontinued the production of these footballs.

7. Halfway on a flagpole

The flag of Saudi Arabia can never be put up just halfway on a flagpole because of the sacred meanings of the words written on it. 

8. Lower to half-mast

The flag of Saudi Arabia can never be lower to half-mast because lowering it would mean an act of disobeying Allah. This flag can never be hoisted in a vertical position which is a rule by the Saudi Legislation.

9. The Flag of Hejaz

The two ancestor states of Saudi Arabia, Najd and Hejaz use flags with a similar design and pattern made on the Saudi Arabia flag.

The Flag of Hejaz is more similar to the patterns made in countries like Sudan and Palestine.