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Flag of Lebanon

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Republic of Lebanon
UseNational flag and ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Reverse side is mirror image of obverse side Design has no element that can be rotated
Proportion2:3
Adopted7 December 1943; 81 years ago (1943-12-07)
DesignA horizontal triband of red, white (double height) and red; charged with a green Lebanese cedar tree.
Designed byHenri Philippe Pharaoun

The national flag of Lebanon (Arabic: العلم الوطني للجمهورية اللبنانية) is formed of two horizontal red stripes enveloping a horizontal white stripe. The white stripe is twice the height (width) of the red ones (ratio 1:2:1) – a Spanish fess. The green cedar tree (Cedrus libani) in the middle touches each of the red stripes and its width is one third of the width of the flag.[1]

The red stripes represent the blood shed by those who fought for Lebanon. The white stripe represents purity, peace and the snow-capped mountains of Lebanon. The cedar on the flag represents immortality and hope.

Design

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According to the Article 5 of the constitution of Lebanon: "The Lebanese flag shall be composed of three horizontal stripes, a white stripe between two red ones. The width of the white stripe shall be equal to that of both red stripes. In the center of and occupying one-third of the white stripe is a green cedar tree with its top touching the upper red strip and its base touching the lower red stripe".[2]

Prior to 1995, the constitution did not specify the color of the cedar's tree trunk, and it was common to see a brown trunk as depicted in the original drawing. Similar brown-trunk variants were registered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and on official postcards of United Nations with member state flags. In 1995 the constitution was amended to specify the color (green) of the whole cedar tree.[3]

Construction sheet of the Lebanese flag
Scheme Red White Green
RAL 3028 9016 6024
CMYK 0-87-84-15 0-0-0-0 99-0-60-38
HEX #D81C22 #FFFFFF #019E3F
RGB 216-28-34 255-255-255 1-158-63

Symbolism

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Cedrus libani in the Forest of the Cedars of God

The Lebanese flag's design is deeply rooted in the country's history, culture, and natural heritage, with the cedar tree (Cedrus libani) at its heart. The cedar has been a symbol of Lebanon for millennia, representing resilience, immortality, and unity. Its inclusion on the flag reflects Lebanon's identity as the "Land of the Cedars".[3]

The cedar of Lebanon holds a prominent place in history and religious texts.[3] It is mentioned 77 times in the Bible, often symbolizing strength, majesty, and divine blessing. In Psalms 92:12, it is written, "The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree; He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon",[4] and in Psalms 104:16, "[t]he trees of the Lord have their fill, The cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted".[5] The cedar's wood, known for its durability and resistance to pests, was used to build sacred structures, including Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.[3]

The cedar has inspired poets, writers, and political leaders. Alphonse de Lamartine, marveling at the cedars during his trip to the Middle East, wrote, "[t]he cedars of Lebanon are the relics of centuries and nature, the most famous natural landmarks in the universe."[6] Similarly, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who visited Lebanon in 1935, reflected on the cedar's symbolism in his work Citadelle [fr]: "[t]he peace is a long-growing tree. We need, as the cedar, to rock its unity."[7]

In 1920, during the proclamation of the State of Greater Lebanon, the cedar was described as a symbol of resilience and unity: "[a]n evergreen cedar is like a young nation despite a cruel past. Although oppressed, never conquered, the cedar is its rallying. By the union, it will break all attacks."[7] This sentiment was echoed in the design of the Lebanese flag, which merged the French tricolor with the cedar to reflect Lebanon's ties to France under the mandate.

The current flag, adopted in 1943, carries profound symbolic meanings. The two red stripes represent the blood shed by the Lebanese people during their struggles for independence, first against the Ottoman Empire and later against French colonial rule. The white stripe symbolizes peace, purity, and the snow that covers Lebanon's mountains. The green cedar in the center stands for immortality, steadfastness, and hope. The flag was designed to be neutral, uniting Lebanon's diverse religious communities under a shared national identity.[3]

History

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Fall of the Ottoman rule and French mandate (1913–1943)

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Executive Committee of the Lebanon League of Progress in São Paulo. Shukri El Khoury is in the window while Shukri Bakhash is in the front row, second from right. (1914)

The cedar tree has long been a symbol of Lebanon, with its roots tracing back to the 18th century when it became emblematic of the Christian Maronites. By 1848, the cedar was the central feature of the unofficial flag of Lebanon, which was then a semi-autonomous territory within the Ottoman Empire. This flag, white with a green cedar tree in the center, reflected the growing national identity of the Lebanese people.[3]

The rise of Lebanese national self-confidence was particularly evident among diaspora communities. In 1913, Shukri El Khoury, a Lebanese-Brazilian journalist and editor of The Sphinx, proposed "a white flag with a cedar tree in the center". This design was adopted by Lebanese immigrants in the Americas and communicated to the Allied Powers. The same flag was also embraced in Lebanon, though El Khoury later suggested adding the blue and red of the French tricolor to honor the French mandate. However, Rachid Nakhle, a leader of the Lebanon League of Progress, noted in his memoirs that on 2 November 1918, a white flag with a green cedar was hoisted over the palace in Baabda, where it remained until May 1919.[3]

Lebanese communities abroad were influenced by diplomatic developments and shifting political attitudes. On 3 July 1919, the French consul in Santiago de Cuba, Mr. Briloun, reported to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stephen Pichon, that Lebanese communities were advocating for a French protectorate over Lebanon, separate from Syria. They presented a proposed national flag featuring a cedar in the white band, symbolizing Lebanon's distinct identity.[3]

Lebanese president Émile Eddé, and prime minister Emir Khaled Chehab, during an official celebration at the Martyrs Square, Beirut.

The 1913 version of the flag, created by El Khoury and Naoum Labaki, was raised as Lebanon's first national flag on 2 October 1918, following the fall of the Ottoman Empire.[8] An alternate version, designed by El Khoury in 1918, included red and blue triangles on the left side of the white cedar flag, paying homage to the French mandate.[9]

In May 1919, Naoum Mokarzel, president of the Lebanon League of Progress, designed another version of the flag, inspired by the French tricolor. It featured vertical blue, white, and red bands with a cedar tree in the center. However, this design faced opposition from many Lebanese Christians, who felt it threatened their identity. In protest, the Administrative Council and Lebanese municipalities flew the plain white cedar flag, particularly in the districts of Batroun and Keserwan. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Baabda demanded "the affirmation of the union of Lebanon with France, consecrated by the choice, as a national emblem, of the tricolor flag with the Cedar in a white band."[9]

On 22 March 1920, a demonstration in Baabda raised the tricolor flag, which was hailed by General Gouraud as a "symbol of freedom."[10] This flag was officially adopted on 23 May 1926, as described in Article 5 of the Lebanese Constitution: "The Lebanese flag is blue, white, and red in vertical bands of equal width, with a cedar on the white part." Although the constitution did not specify the cedar's color, most contemporary depictions showed it as green with a brown trunk.[3]

The tricolor flag was designed by Naoum Mokarzel, who presented it at the 1919 Versailles Peace Conference to French President Raymond Poincaré. Poincaré enthusiastically accepted the design, which later became the official flag of Lebanon under the League of Nations. On 1 September 1920, General Henri Gouraud proclaimed the State of Greater Lebanon, merging the French tricolor with the Lebanese cedar as its national emblem. This flag symbolized Lebanon's union with France and remained in use until the adoption of the current flag in 1943.[3]

Lebanese Republic (1943–present)

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A Mother Sewing the Flag in Front of Her Daughter by Moustafa Farroukh, (c. 1950-1951)

The present Lebanese flag was adopted just prior to independence from France in 1943. Seeking independence, the flag was first drawn by members of parliament during a meeting at Saeb Salam's house in Mousaitbeh.[11][12] It was officially adopted on 7 December 1943, during a parliamentary session where Article 5 of the Lebanese Constitution was amended.

The flag's design is attributed to Henri Pharaon, a member of parliament, who proposed the composition based on Lebanon's geography. The two red stripes represent the Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges, while the white stripe symbolizes the Beqaa Valley situated between them. The green cedar tree in the center of the white stripe represents Lebanon's identity as the "Land of the Cedars".[13][14]

The adoption of the flag occurred in a tense political climate. Following Lebanon's unilateral abolition of the French mandate in November 1943, French authorities arrested key government leaders, including President Bechara El Khoury and Prime Minister Riad Al Solh. Only seven parliament members were permitted to meet in the French-occupied Parliament. During this brief meeting, the deputies hastily devised the flag's design, preserving the cedar as a national symbol. The flag was formally introduced into the Constitution on 7 December 1943, with the text specifying its composition: three horizontal stripes (red, white, and red) with a green cedar tree occupying one-third of the white stripe.[3]

Accounts of the flag's creation vary. Henri Pharaon claimed he proposed the design, influenced by his Austrian connections, and was assisted by Saadi Al Munla and Mohamad Al Fadl. Pierre Gemayel, leader of the Kataeb Party, also asserted that his party conceived the flag's design, which was later adopted by the government. The original drawing of the flag, signed by seven parliament members, was based on Pharaon's proposal and executed by Saadi Al Munla.[3]

The flag was first raised in Bechamoun on 21 November 1943 at 11:20 PM; in 1979 the Minister of National Education, Boutros Harb, declared 21 November as National Flag Day. In 1994, the Lebanese government standardized the cedar's color to entirely green, replacing the earlier naturalistic depiction with a brown trunk. This change was reflected in official representations, including those registered with the WIPO.[3]

Variant flags

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Flag can be hoisted vertically only Vertical flag of Lebanon

The following is a list of variant flags used in Lebanon. There is no official document that states the exact dimensions and shape of the Cedar, hence it varies.

  • Design commonly seen between 1943–1995
    Design commonly seen between 1943–1995
  • Design stored at WIPO
    Design stored at WIPO
  • Flag as drawn and approved by the members of the parliament during the Declaration of independence in 1943
    Flag as drawn and approved by the members of the parliament during the Declaration of independence in 1943
  • Variant flag
    Variant flag

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The description of the flag is cited in the Lebanese Constitution, Chapter 1, Article 5.
  2. ^ "Ministry of information". Archived from the original on 2 November 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Klimeš, Roman (2021). "The Cedar Tree – The Symbol of a Country" (PDF). 25th International Congress of Vexillology. p. 4.
  4. ^ "The Bible". Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  5. ^ "The Bible". Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Firdaous – Arab world". 28 November 2007. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  7. ^ a b "L'Orient-Le Jour". 16 July 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Flags and banners". lebarmy.gov.lb. Lebanese Armed Forces. December 2016.
  9. ^ a b Dr. Jean Charaf: “Histoire du drapeau libanais” (In French) Beirut, August 2004
  10. ^ Dr. Jean Charaf: “Histoire du drapeau libanais” (In French) Beirut, August 2004
  11. ^ "Henry Pharoun Is Slain at Home; Founder of Free Lebanon Was 92". The New York Times. 7 August 1993. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
  12. ^ "Lubnān, Republic of Lebanon, Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Lubnāniyyah". Flags of The World. CRW. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  13. ^ Budge, E.A.W. (2010). The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians. HardPress. p. 261.
  14. ^ Cromer, G. (2004). A war of words: political violence and public debate in Israel. Cass series on political violence. Frank Cass. ISBN 978-0-7146-5631-1.
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