Flag of Afghanistan

What the flag looks like

Three equal vertical bands of black, red and green, with the white national emblem (a mosque with a mihrab and minbar, framed by wheat sheaves and topped by the Shahada) centered over the red band.

What it means

Black is usually said to represent the troubled past, red the blood shed for independence, and green hope, prosperity and Islam.

How to remember it

Afghanistan is a vertical black-red-green tricolor with a white mosque emblem on the red; Belgium is vertical black-yellow-red with no emblem.

Fun facts

• Afghanistan changed its national flag more often during the 20th century than any other country.
• The number 1298 under the mosque is the Solar Hijri year corresponding to 1919, when Afghanistan regained full independence.
• Since 2021 the Taliban-led authorities in Kabul have used a white flag bearing the black Shahada; the tricolor shown here remains widely used abroad, including by the national cricket team.

Afghanistan at a glance

Capital

Kabul

Region

Southern Asia

Population

43 million

Area

652,230 km²

Languages

Dari, Pashto, Turkmen

Currency

Afghan afghani (؋)

Flag adopted

2004