Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — The flag of Saudi Arabia, with its green field, white shahada, and sword, is one of the most recognized national symbols in the world.
It flies over schools, ministries, and international arenas as a statement of unity, faith, and sovereignty.
Yet the story of this flag is also the story of a nation’s journey from the banners of its earliest rulers to the modern emblem that defines the Kingdom today.
The roots of the Saudi flag go back to the 18th century, during the era of the First Saudi State founded by Imam Mohammed bin Saud.
The banners of that time were simple green cloths symbolizing Islam and unity. In battles, the flag carried verses of faith, reminding fighters of the cause for which they stood.
As the Saudi state was reestablished in later centuries, its banners remained tied to religion and leadership.
They reflected continuity across struggles, with green becoming a color inseparable from Saudi identity.
When King Abdulaziz recaptured Riyadh in 1902, he raised the flag of tawhid green cloth bearing the shahada, the declaration of faith.
This flag accompanied him on his campaigns across Najd, Hejaz, and beyond, becoming a symbol of his mission to unify the land under Islam and stability.
By the time the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was declared in 1932, the flag had already become both a battlefield banner and a unifying emblem.
Its message was clear: the nation was built on faith, and its identity would remain anchored in it.
In later years, the flag’s design was refined to include the sword, symbolizing strength, justice, and the decisive leadership of King Abdulaziz.
The combination of shahada and sword came to embody both spiritual and temporal authority, faith as the foundation, and strength as the protector of unity.
The sword also served as a reminder of the struggles endured to build the state. It represented courage and resolve, values that continue to resonate across generations.
As the modern Saudi state expanded its institutions, the flag’s form was standardized.
By mid-20th century, the design was set: a green field with the shahada inscribed in white above a horizontal sword.
The proportion, calligraphy, and placement were codified, ensuring uniformity in representation at home and abroad.
Unlike many national flags, the Saudi flag is never flown at half-mast, reflecting its sacred inscription of faith.
This practice underscores the unique spiritual significance the banner holds in national life.
Today, the flag is more than a national emblem, it is a source of pride and identity.
From classrooms where children sing the anthem as it is raised each morning, to international sporting events where it waves in victory, the flag continues to embody the Kingdom’s story.
As Saudi Arabia celebrates its 95th National Day, the evolution of its flag reminds citizens that their unity has always been bound to their faith.
From the simple banners of the Imams to the shahada and sword of today, the flag remains a constant in a nation that has seen transformation yet never lost its foundation.
