The Flag of Kurdistan (Kurdish: Alay Kurdistan or Alaya Kurdistanê, ئاڵای کوردستان, also called Alaya Rengîn "The Colorful Flag") first appeared during the Kurdish independence movement from the Ottoman Empire. It is said to have been created in the 1900s by the organisation of Xoybûn (Khoyboon). An earlier version of this flag was flown by the break-away Republic of Ararat in Turkey during the period 1927-1931. A similar flag was later used by the Soviet-backed Kurdish Republic known as the Republic of Mahabad in 1946. It is currently used as the official flag of the autonomous Kurdistan Region in Iraq which is under control of the Kurdistan Regional Government. The flag is banned in Turkey, Iran and Syria.
The main Kurdish characteristic of the flag is the blazing golden sun emblem at the center, which is an ancient religious and cultural symbol among the Kurds and synonymous with fire in representing wisdom in Zoroastrianism. The sun disk of the emblem has 21 rays, equal in size and shape. The number 21 holds importance in the ancient Ezidi religious traditions of the Kurds.
The symbolism of the colors are:
- Red symbolizes the blood of martyrs of Kurdistan and the continued struggle for the freedom and dignity for Kurdistan and its people.
- Green expresses the beauty and the landscapes of Kurdistan.
- White expresses peace and equality.
- Yellow represents the source of life and light of the people.
Read more about Flag Of Kurdistan: Flags Used By Kurds
Famous quotes containing the words flag of and/or flag:
“Swift blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie.”
—Stephen Crane (1871–1900)
““Justice” was done, and the President of the Immortals, in Æschylean phrase, had ended his sport with Tess. And the d’Urberville knights and dames slept on in their tombs unknowing. The two speechless gazers bent themselves down to the earth, as if in prayer, and remained thus a long time, absolutely motionless: the flag continued to wave silently. As soon as they had strength they arose, joined hands again, and went on.
The End”
—Thomas Hardy (1840–1928)