A brief overview of the meaning, history, and key facts about the national flag of Saudi Arabia.
Flag of Saudi Arabia
The national flag of Saudi Arabia consists of a green field featuring the Islamic declaration of faith, known as the Shahada, written in white Arabic script. Beneath the inscription is a horizontal white sword. The Shahada reads: “There is no god but Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”
Printable Saudi Arabia Flag (PNG Download)
Interesting facts about Saudi Arabia’s flag
1. The current design of the Saudi flag was officially adopted in 1937 during the reign of King Abdulaziz, although the design was later officially standardized by law in 1973.
2. The Saudi flag is never flown at half-mast because it bears the Shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith.
3. The sword on the flag is always drawn pointing toward the left when viewed from the front, following the direction in which Arabic text is read.
4. The Saudi flag is designed so that the testament and sword appear identical on both sides. To achieve this, the flag is typically made from two layers of fabric.
5. Saudi Arabia celebrates National Flag Day on March 11, commemorating the adoption of the modern flag design.
Explore more about Saudi Arabia:
History of Saudi Arabia’s flag
Early Islamic influences
The origins of the Saudi flag are closely connected to the early Saudi states in the Arabian Peninsula.
The ruling Al Saud family and their religious allies used the Shahada on their banners as early as the 18th century.
Formation of the Saudi state
In 1902, Abdulaziz Ibn Saud began his campaign to unify the Arabian Peninsula. In 1921, Abdulaziz added a sword to the flag.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was officially proclaimed on 23 September 1932.
Development of the modern design
Over time, several variations of the flag appeared, sometimes including two swords or a white stripe at the hoist.
By the 1930s, the design had largely taken its modern form with the Shahada above a single sword.
Standardization of the flag
The design of the flag was officially standardized on 15 March 1973. Further specifications were introduced in 1984, providing precise guidelines for the flag’s construction.
Browse all Middle Eastern flags or explore more Asian flags. You can also test your knowledge with our Flags of Asia Quiz.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. With seven years of teaching experience and a background in educational content, she specialises in creating clear reference resources about countries, geography and global topics.