Many international flags have a color scheme composed of red, green, white, and black – all of which are in Africa and the Middle East. While some have a simple design, such as the United Arab Emirates’ field of three horizontal stripes and a single vertical hoist, others – like Kenya’s flag – are more elaborate.
The following countries’ flags use red, green, white, and black in their flag’s color scheme.
- Afghanistan
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Libya
- State of Palestine
- Sudan
- Syria
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Countries with Red, Green, White, and Black Flags
Keep in mind that the flags of the following countries use all the four colors in their flags, without including any other colors. For example, flags that contain red, green, white, and black in addition to yellow or blue are not included.
1. Afghanistan
This landlocked Middle Eastern country is considered the heart of Asia, due to its location as the crossroads between Central and South Asia.
The Afghani flag was adopted in 2002 consists of three vertical bands of equal width, with black on the hoist side, red in the middle, and green on the fly.
Afghanistan’s coat of arms is white in the center of the flag and depicts a mosque, two flags, and sheaves of wheat while an Islamic inscription – “There is no deity but God; Muhammed is the messenger of God” – encircles the image in Arabic.
2. Iraq
Iraq is a Middle Eastern country south of Turkey. Its flag is a simple one, consisting of three horizontal bands of red (top), white (center), and black (bottom) to signify the Arab Liberation. The stripes have been part of the flag since 1963.
The green inscription in the flag’s center, however, has been modified numerous times since then, and has only been in its current form since 2008. It currently reads “God is the greatest” in Kufic script.
3. Jordan
This small nation borders the Dead Sea and sits at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe. It became an independent state in 1946 and is officially known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Jordan’s current flag was adopted in 1928 and is based on the flag of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, which occurred during World War I in 1916. The flag depicts horizontal stripes of black (top), white (center), and green (bottom). A red triangle connects the bands on the hoist side, with a white, five-pointed star in the triangle’s center.
4. Kenya
This East African country borders both Lake Victoria and the Indian Ocean. Its flag was adopted in 1961 after Kenya achieved independence and depicts horizontal bands of black (top), red (middle), and green (bottom).
Each of the stripes is bordered by a thin white line. A red, black, and white Maasai shield sits in the central foreground, complete with crossed spears to honor the region’s indigenous tribes.
5. Kuwait
Kuwait is a small Middle Eastern country sandwiched between Saudi Arabia to the south and Iraq to the north with its eastern coast bordering the Persian Gulf.
Kuwait’s flag was adopted in 1961. It consists of three horizontal bands of green (top), white (middle), and red (bottom). A black trapezoid on the hoist side connects the bands.
Like other Middle Eastern flags, the colors represent the various dynasties throughout the region’s history. Red represents the Hashemite dynasty and the bloody swords of their warriors; white is for the Umayyad dynasty, for their pure and noble deeds; green symbolizes the Fatimid dynasty and the lush, fertile lands; and black is for Abbasid dynasty and the defeat of enemies.
6. Libya
This nation in North Africa introduced its current flag in 1951 after the country gained its independence. It was discontinued after a violent coup in 1969, and it wasn’t until 2011 when the flag was reinstated. Libya’s flag consists of three bands: red at the top, black in the middle, and green at the bottom.
The middle black band is twice the width of both the red and green bands and harbors the white crescent and star – the official symbol of Islam, Libya’s national religion.
7. State of Palestine
Also known as Palestine, the State of Palestine is a Middle Eastern country with a flag consisting of red, green, white, and black – a color combination known as the Pan-Arab colors.
The Palestinian flag was adopted in 1964 and consists of three horizontal bands of equal width, with black at the top, white in the middle, and green at the bottom. Connecting the bands is a red triangle at the hoist.
8. Sudan
This northeastern African country sits directly south of Egypt and borders the Red Sea. Sudan’s flag, which was adopted in 1970 and is based on the flag of 1952’s Egyptian Revolution. It closely resembles the State of Palestine’s national flag, with the only difference being the color arrangement.
Sudan’s flag consists of three horizontal stripes of equal width: red at the top, white in the middle, and black at the bottom. A green triangle connects the bands on the flag’s hoist side.
9. Syria
Syria is a Middle Eastern country located west of Iraq. Its eastern coast borders the Mediterranean Sea. Syria’s current national flag was adopted in 2011 after the Syrian Civil War.
Syria’s national flag has three horizontal stripes of equal width: red at the top, white in the middle, and black at the bottom. Two green, five-pointed stars sit in the central white stripe.
10. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The United Arab Emirates’ current flag was officially adopted in 1971, after six small Arab states on the Persian Gulf gathered to form the United Arab Emirates. The colors were inspired by the Arab Revolt that occurred in 1917 and arranged as follows: a vertical red hoist, with the rest of the flag consisting of three horizontal bands of green (top), white (middle) and black (bottom).
It is believed that the symbolism of the colors is referenced in a 13th-century poem by Safi ad-Din al-Hilli. Green for the Arab fields defended in black battles by bloody swords of those who fought, whose motives were pure and white.
