Alaya Rengîn · The colorful flag
The Kurdistan Flag explained
Three bands, one sun. The flag of Kurdistan, Alaya Rengîn, is one of the most recognizable flags in the world. This is its history, its meaning, its exact colors and where to get a real one.
The meaning of the colors
Every band of the Kurdish flag tells a part of the story of the Kurdish people:
- Red honors the blood of the martyrs and the struggle for freedom, never forgotten.
- White carries peace and equality, the dream of a peaceful future.
- Green sings of the mountains and plains of Kurdistan, life itself.
- The golden sun, Roj, at the center, is the source of life and light of the people.
Source: Institut kurde de Paris, The national flag of Kurdistan (institutkurde.org, 2026).
Roj, the sun with 21 rays
The sun on the flag carries exactly 21 rays, never one more. The number refers to the 21st of March, the day of Newroz, the Kurdish new year and the festival of renewal. Every ray has equal length: the light is shared by all. The rays touch each other at the base, forming one unbroken golden star, exactly as shown above.
The exact colors
| Element | Color | Hex reference |
|---|---|---|
| Top band | Red | #ED2024 |
| Middle band | White | #FFFFFF |
| Bottom band | Green | #278E43 |
| Sun Roj | Golden yellow | #FEBD11 |
The history of the Kurdistan flag
The flag was born with the Kurdish national movement in the early 20th century. Accounts trace its first international appearance to the Kurdish delegation at the Paris Peace Conference (1919-1920), where the colors were shown to the world for the first time (Institut kurde de Paris, 2026).
In 1927 the flag was raised by the leaders of Xoybûn, the Kurdish national league, during the first proclamation of Kurdish self-government (Encyclopaedia of the flag of Kurdistan, Wikipedia, 2026). In 1946 it flew over the Republic of Kurdistan in Mahabad, where the version with the sun earned its nickname: the sunny flag.
Today the flag flies officially over the Kurdistan Region and its parliament in Hewlêr, and unofficially wherever Kurds live: from the mountains of Bakur to the streets of London, Berlin, Paris and Nashville. Since 1999, Kurdish Flag Day is honored every year on the 17th of December (Institut kurde de Paris, 2026).
The flag on the Kurdistan shirt
The same flag is carried on every Kurdistan football shirt: the crest of the Kurdistan Football Association repeats the red, the white, the green and the sun Roj, with the flag placed above the badge, inspired by the football badge of Japan. Read the full design story in The Kurdistan Nike Football Shirt Explained.
Frequently asked questions
What do the colors of the Kurdistan flag mean?
Red honors the blood of the martyrs and the long struggle for freedom. White stands for peace and equality. Green represents the mountains and landscapes of Kurdistan, life itself. The golden sun in the center, Roj, is the source of life and light of the people.
Why does the sun on the Kurdistan flag have 21 rays?
The number 21 refers to the 21st of March, Newroz, the Kurdish new year and the festival of renewal. The sun on the flag always carries exactly 21 rays of equal length, never more, never less.
What are the exact colors of the Kurdish flag?
Three horizontal bands: red on top, white in the middle, green at the bottom, with the golden sun Roj in the center. The usual color references are red #ED2024, white #FFFFFF, green #278E43 and golden yellow #FEBD11.
When is Kurdish Flag Day?
Kurdish Flag Day is celebrated every year on the 17th of December, in honor of Alaya Rengîn, the colorful flag (Institut kurde de Paris).
Where can I buy a real Kurdistan flag?
At the official store Kurdistanfa.com, which ships worldwide from Europe in 4 to 8 working days. The flag is available in several sizes, including the ceremonial version with golden fringes.
Buy a Kurdistan flag
The official store Kurdistanfa.com carries the Kurdistan flag in several formats, shipped worldwide from Europe in 4 to 8 working days.
| Format | Best for | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large flag | The stadium, the facade, Newroz | 19,95 € | Shop Now |
| Small flag 60 x 90 cm | The bedroom, the desk, the car | 14,95 € | Shop Now |
| Flag and logo stickers (20) | Laptop, bottle, helmet | 4,95 € | Shop Now |
Sources
- Institut kurde de Paris, The national flag of Kurdistan (institutkurde.org, 2026).
- Institut kurde de Paris, Kurdish Flag Day, 17 December (institutkurde.org, 2026).
- Flag of Kurdistan, history and adoption (Wikipedia, consulted 2026).
- Kurdistan Region flag use and Flag Day (gov.krd, 2026).