Jordan Flag

The national flag of Jordan is a distinctive horizontal tricolor of black, white, and green bands, with a red chevron at the hoist side connecting the three stripes. At the center of the chevron lies a seven-pointed white star, a unique and defining feature of the flag's design. This layout is directly inspired by the flag of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I, which serves as a common ancestor for several modern Arab flags.

The flag's proportions and the precise arrangement of its elements are strictly defined by Jordanian law. The chevron is not a simple triangle but a specific geometric shape that spans the full height of the flag, creating a bold and dynamic visual element on the hoist side. The star is carefully positioned within this red space, its points symbolizing unity and faith.

Officially adopted on April 16, 1928, the flag predates the full independence of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, reflecting the nation's deep historical roots and its foundational narrative. It is a powerful symbol of Jordanian identity, Arab heritage, and the ruling Hashemite dynasty's lineage from the Prophet Muhammad.

Each color on the flag carries profound historical and pan-Arab significance. The black band represents the Abbasid Caliphate, the white band symbolizes the Umayyad Caliphate, and the green band stands for the Fatimid Caliphate. The red chevron at the hoist represents the Hashemite dynasty, the ruling royal family, and also honors the Arab Revolt.

The seven-pointed white star centered on the chevron is the flag's most specific national symbol. Its seven points represent the first seven verses of the Quran's opening chapter, Al-Fatiha, which are recited in daily prayers. Additionally, the points are said to symbolize the unity of the Arab peoples, the hills of Amman, or faith in one God, love, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations.

The flag's design originates from the banner of the Arab Revolt (1916-1918), led by Sharif Hussein bin Ali, the great-grandfather of King Abdullah I of Jordan. This revolt's flag, created by British diplomat Sir Mark Sykes, featured the same horizontal stripes and red triangle but lacked the star. After the establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921, the need for a distinct national symbol arose.

The current flag was officially adopted on April 16, 1928, with the addition of the seven-pointed white star to the red triangle to distinguish it from other flags derived from the Arab Revolt banner. It was retained when the country gained full independence as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in 1946 and has remained unchanged since.