Flags›Asia›United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates

Asia

Quick Facts

Capital

Abu Dhabi

Population

10.0M

Area

83,600 km²

Density

120 /km²

Median age

34.2 yrs

Description

Adoption

2 December 1971 (the day of federation, 55 years).

Designed byAbdullah Mohammed Al Maainah, then 19 years old, winner of a national competition.

Design & Symbolism

Specs plus what each color and emblem means on this flag — tap an element to reveal its meaning.

Proportions

1:2

Shape

Rectangular

Colors

Red#EF3340 · Pantone 186 C

Red symbolises strength, courage and the unity of the emirates.

Green#009739 · Pantone 355 C

Green evokes prosperity, fertility and hope.

White#FFFFFF

White represents peace, honesty and neutrality.

Black#000000

Black symbolises strength and the defeat of enemies; it is often read as the oil wealth.

Construction details

Proportions 1:2. Three horizontal bands, green, white, black, and a vertical red band at the hoist covering a quarter of the length. These are the Pan-Arab colours, from the Arab Revolt flag.

Construction sheet

Etiquette & protocol

How the flag should be used and displayed with respect.

Specific rules — United Arab Emirates

The flag is honoured on 3 November (Flag Day) and 2 December (National Day).
Deliberately simple, with no emblem, it favours no ruling house.

Common conventions

Keep the flag clean and never let it touch the ground.
Never fly a torn or faded flag — repair or replace it.
Illuminate the flag if it stays up at night.
Never use the flag as clothing, packaging or advertising.
Dispose of a worn flag respectfully, not in the trash.

Did you know?

It was designed by a 19-year-old, winner of a national competition among more than a thousand entries.

Test your knowledge!

Can you recognize this flag in Flag Reveal?

Play Flag Reveal

More from Asia

Georgia

Azerbaijan

Mongolia

Syria

East Timor

Sri Lanka

Browse by Continent

On the blog

One article covers this flag.

Four Colours, One Revolt: Where the Pan-Arab Colours Come From

Black, white, green, red. Four colours that return from Jordan to Yemen, and whose story begins with an uprising in the Arabian desert.

4 min read