Flag of Iran

What the flag looks like

Three equal horizontal stripes of green, white and red, with the red national emblem in the center and the phrase "Allahu akbar" repeated 22 times in white Kufic script along the inner edges of the green and red stripes.

What it means

Green stands for Islam and growth, white for peace and red for courage and martyrdom; the 22 inscriptions refer to 22 Bahman, the date in the Iranian calendar of the 1979 revolution.

How to remember it

Iran is green-white-red with a red tulip-shaped emblem and a fringe of tiny white inscriptions; Tajikistan puts red on top and a gold crown in the middle.

Fun facts

• The emblem is a stylised form of the word "Allah" whose shape also resembles a tulip, a traditional symbol of martyrdom.
• Iran was known internationally as Persia until 1935, when the government asked other countries to use the name Iran.

Iran at a glance

Capital

Tehran

Region

Southern Asia

Population

92 million

Area

1,648,195 km²

Languages

Persian (Farsi)

Currency

Iranian rial (﷼)

Flag adopted

1980

Flags often confused with Iran

• Tajikistan: Iran and Tajikistan both have green, white and red stripes. Iran has green on top and a red emblem; Tajikistan has red on top, a much wider white stripe and a gold crown under seven stars.
• Hungary: Hungary and Iran both have red, white and green stripes in opposite order. Hungary has red on top and is plain; Iran has green on top with a red emblem and script.
• Bulgaria: Bulgaria and Iran are both horizontal white, green and red. Bulgaria has white on top and no emblem; Iran has green on top with a red emblem and white script.