General Information » Facts & Figures » National Flag

Designed in 1961 and based on the Arab revolt flag of the first world war, the national flag of Kuwait has three horizontal stripes starting with green at the top, then white and red. A black trapezoid runs the length of the hoist side and protrudes into the white horizontal stripe.

The colours of the national flag are common to most of the Arab nations and, in the case of Kuwait, are derived from a poem by Sadie Al Deen Al Hali;

‘White for our work, Black for our struggles, Green for our spring homes, Red for our past.’

The Kuwaitis are very patriotic and the national flag is seen flying almost everywhere you go. On National Day and Liberation Day the flag flies from lamp posts, the tops of houses, hotels, public buildings, and most vehicle aerials. Patriotism becomes even more evident at night when many government and private buildings are adorned with a multitude of coloured lights representing the colours of the flag.

When foreign heads of state visit Kuwait they are welcomed by the sight of their own country’s flag flying alongside that of Kuwait on roads to and from the airport, prominent meeting places and palaces. During all national celebrations one will often see a white flag, upon which is placed a black fingerprint and a small representation of the Kuwait national flag. This flag stands as a tribute to all those lost as POWs in the first Gulf War.