Category — World Flags

The Flag of Afghanistan, as it flies today, was officially adopted by the Afghan government in 2004.  Interestingly, the current design of the flag looks very similar to the one that was flown in Afghanistan during the monarchy between 1930 and 1973.

The Flag of Afghanistan.

Starting in 1747, the Flag of Afghanistan underwent 24 changes.  In the 20th century alone, the flag underwent 19 changes.  Since 2000 the flag has been modified 3 more times.

Today, the Flag of Afghanistan consists of a vertical tricolor of black, red and green charged in the center of the flag the classical emblem of Afghanistan with a mosque with its “mihrab” facing Mecca.  The vertical tricolor has been present on most flags of Afghanistan in the last 20 years.

The colors on the Flag of Afghanistan, black, red and green, are meant to represent different chapters in the nation’s history.  The color black represents the 19th century, when a series of wars led to British occupation.  The color red represents the nation’s fight for independence, and green is meant to show that independence has been achieved.  Fascinatingly, these colors were also part of the Flag of Afghanistan from 1928 to 1978, running either vertically or horizontally.  At that time, black represented the previous monochrome version of Afghan flags, which in turn represented the sovereign.  Some have said that the color red was taken from the Soviet flag and meant to represent modernity and progress.  The color green stood for Islam.

The classical emblem of Afghanistan in the center of the Flag of Afghanistan has the “shahadah” in the Arabic language at the top of the flag.  As mentioned above, below the shahdah is the image of a mosque with a “mihrab” that is facing Mecca with a prayer mat on the inside.  Attached to the mosque are two flags, taken to stand for flags of Afghanistan.  Beneath the mosque is an inscription that states the name of the nation.  Two flags are also attached to the mosque, which are taken to be flags of Afghanistan.  Around the mosque is a “garland.”

Haiti appears to have had a lot more than its fair share of political turmoil, poverty and natural disasters over the years.

Poor neighborhood shows heavy damage after magnitude-7.0 earthquake.

On Tuesday afternoon, January 12, 2010, Haiti’s history and life of its citizens was again abruptly turned upside down.  The tiny island in the Caribbean Sea was struck by a magnitude-7.0 earthquake, the country’s most severe earthquake in more than 200 years.

Arial view shows collapsed Hotel Christopher in Port-Au-Prince.

The confirmed death toll has risen to 150,000+, but that was only the count of bodies so far found in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

Haiti’s recorded (troubled) history began about 5 centuries ago, on December 5, 1492, when the European navigator, explorer and explorer Christopher Columbus landed on the beach of an island in the region of the western Atlantic Ocean, that later came to be known as the “Caribbean Sea.”

Haiti was inhabited by the “Taíno,” an Arawakan people, who variously called their island “Ayiti,” “Bohio,” or “Kiskeya.”  Columbus promptly claimed the island for the Spanish Crown, and soon after his arrival renamed it “La Isla Española,” the Spanish Island.

Following these events, both Spain and France ended up colonizing what is now modern-day “Haiti.”  Eventually, however, the island’s emerging multicultural population battled through and won its own independence about 2 centuries ago, in 1804.

Haiti’s Flag was adopted on February 25, 1987.  The nation’s flag is a simple one with two horizontal strips of blue and red of equal size.  The blue and red of the flag were retained after a French Tricolore was torn up in 1803, one year before Haiti’s independence.  The two parts ended up being stitched together horizontally to make a completely new flag.

The flag of Haiti.

What Haiti’s Flag symbolizes and the feelings it evokes are what make this flag especially powerful.  It recognizes the country’s European heritage through its vibrant blue and red colors.

The coat of arms of Haiti on the center of the flag.

Since 1843, Haiti’s Flag has had the coat of arms of Haiti on a white panel in the center.  The coat of arms depicts a trophy of weapons ready to defend freedom, and a royal palm for independence.  The palm is topped by the Cap of Liberty.  The national motto is on a white scroll reading “L’Union Fait La Force,” Unity Makes Strength.

Today, Haiti’s left to deal with the tragic effects of a magnitude-7.0 earthquake that struck on January 12.  Fortunately, many countries, organizations and individuals have come to Haiti’s aid.

Ensign Adam Cole holds hands with Haitian girl during assessment visit.

People all over the world are showing a strong unified front by displaying Haiti’s Flag on their cars, in office windows, or outside their homes.  By so doing, they also pay respect to the hosts of lives lost in this recent tragedy.

Visit the American Red Cross for information on donating money to Haiti.