Flag of Morocco

The red background is a symbol of the courage, strength, bravery and resilience of the Moroccan people. It is closely associated with the Alawite dynasty, which has ruled Morocco since the 17th century and is considered to be the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali, the fourth caliph. The red color also refers to the sharifs of Mecca and the imams of Yemen, emphasizing Morocco's historical connection to the Arab and Islamic world. In pan-Arab symbolism, red represents unity and the struggle for freedom, which resonates with Morocco's history of resistance to colonial rule. In a cultural context, red is associated with sacrifice, which is an important value for Moroccans who pride themselves on their resilience in the face of challenges. For example, red often appears in traditional Moroccan carpets and clothing, symbolizing protection and strength.

Green is the traditional color of Islam, associated with paradise as described in the Qur'an, as well as hope, peace, love, wisdom, and joy. In the Moroccan context, green also reflects the natural beauty of the country - the fertile plains of Fez, the Sahara oases, the green valleys of the Atlas Mountains, etc. This color is reminiscent of agriculture, in particular the cultivation of oranges, olives, and almonds, which are the backbone of the economy. Green also has a connection to the Berber culture, where it symbolizes fertility and life, making it a universal symbol for all Moroccans.

The five-pointed star, known as the Seal of Solomon, is the centerpiece of the flag. It symbolizes the five pillars of Islam, and each of its peaks corresponds to one of these pillars, emphasizing the spiritual unity of Moroccan Muslims. Its five rays symbolize the harmony between the spiritual and the earthly, and the star itself is positioned so that one ray always looks up.

Why the Seal of Solomon?

The five-pointed star is called the “Seal of Solomon” because of its association with King Solomon, a legendary ruler known in the Qur'an, the Bible, and Jewish texts for his wisdom and strength. According to legend, Solomon possessed a magic seal that gave him power over spirits and protection from evil. In Morocco, this symbol has acquired a special meaning, as the country is proud of its Islamic heritage, where Solomon (Suleiman in the Qur'an) is revered as a prophet. The five-pointed star, or pentagram, appeared in Moroccan culture as a sign of protection and enlightenment, rooted in Berber traditions that predate Arab influence. In Berber ornamentation, the five-pointed star was often used as a talisman to protect against evil forces and bring good luck. Its choice for the flag in 1915, by decree of Sultan Yusuf, emphasized the connection to these traditions as well as to the country's religious identity.

The meaning of the five pillars of Islam

The green five-pointed star symbolizes the five pillars of Islam, which are the basis of faith for over 99% of Moroccans. Each of the five rays of the star corresponds to one of the pillars:

• The Shahada is the proclamation of faith: “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.” This means that they believe in only one God and that Muhammad, who lived in Arabia in the 7th century, brought his words to people through the Quran, the holy book of Islam. In Morocco, the Shahada is said during prayers, at the birth of a child, or at special moments to reaffirm one's faith. This pillar is the first step to accepting Islam.
• Salat is the five prayers that Muslims perform every day: at dawn, noon, noon, afternoon, after sunset, and in the evening. Before praying, believers wash their hands, face, and feet to be clean before God. In Morocco, prayers are heard from mosques when the muezzin, the person who calls for prayer, sings from a minaret (high tower). The worshippers turn to face Mecca, the holy city in Saudi Arabia, where the Kaaba, a cubic structure that Muslims consider to be the home of God, stands. Salat reminds Moroccans of their faith throughout the day.
• Zakat is a donation that Muslims give to help the poor. In Morocco, wealthy people give 2.5% of their savings every year to charity, such as food for the needy, building schools, or supporting mosques. This is not just a good deed, but a duty that shows that wealth should be shared. Zakat teaches Moroccans to take care of the community so that no one is left alone in trouble.
• Saum is a fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, which lasts 29-30 days and shifts every year because it is based on the lunar cycle. During this time, Muslims do not eat, drink, or entertain from dawn to dusk. In Morocco, families gather for dinner after sunset, eat dates and harirah soup, and pray together. Ramadan is a time for spiritual purification, when Moroccans learn to appreciate what they have and sympathize with the poor. The fast ends with the Eid al-Fitr holiday with gifts and festivities.
• The Hajj is a trip to Mecca that every Muslim, health and finances permitting, should make at least once in their lives. Mecca is the holiest city of Islam, where Muhammad was born and where the Kaaba stands. During the Hajj, which takes place once a year, Moroccans, along with millions of believers, walk around the Kaaba, pray on Mount Arafat, and perform other rituals that symbolize unity and obedience to God. The Hajj strengthens ties with Muslims around the world and leaves Moroccans feeling spiritually renewed.

These pillars are the heart of the Islamic faith, and the star on the flag reminds Moroccans of their spiritual unity.

Why does one corner of the Seal of Solomon point upward?

The orientation of a five-pointed star with one ray pointing upward is traditional for pentagrams in many cultures, including Islamic symbolism. In Morocco, this is enshrined in the constitution, which states that the star should be oriented so that one ray points upward. This orientation symbolizes spiritual upliftment, the pursuit of God and enlightenment. In the Muslim context, it reflects a connection with the divine, as the upper ray seems to point to heaven, where paradise is believed to be located. The sources do not indicate a specific meaning for each individual ray (for example, a link to a particular pillar of Islam); the star as a whole personifies all five pillars together, emphasizing their harmony. In Berber traditions, the five-pointed star with the upper ray is also associated with protection and balance, which adds to the flag's universal meaning. This orientation makes the star symmetrical and visually stable, which is important for a national symbol that needs to be recognizable and clear.

During the early dynasties, spanning 788-1549, Morocco was shaped by Berber tribes and Muslim rulers. The Idrisids, who ruled from 788 to 974, used simple white flags to symbolize the purity of faith, peace, and spirituality. These banners likely contained inscriptions from the Qur'an, such as “There is no god but Allah,” emphasizing the religious legitimacy of the dynasty, which was considered to be descended from the Prophet Muhammad through Idris I. The Almoravids, who came to power in 1040, developed this tradition by using white flags with inscriptions such as “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet” for military units of 100 soldiers. The white color represented spiritual rigor, while individual black flags could symbolize the fight against “disbelief,” reflecting the connection to the Abbasid caliphate in Baghdad. The Almohads, who ruled from 1121 to 1269, used white flags with quotes from the Qur'an, such as “Your God is the only God” (Qur'an 2:163), emphasizing monotheism and religious reform. Some sources mention red, black, and white checkerboard flags of individual tribes or military units, but white remained the dominant color of the state. The Marinids (1244-1465) and the Vattasids (1472-1549) kept white flags with inscriptions symbolizing purity and power, which flew over Fez, the Marinid capital, and were used in battles against Christian forces in Andalusia.

The Saadin dynasty, which came to power in 1549, continued to use white flags to emphasize religious devotion and dynastic authority. Inscriptions such as “Allah desires to purify you, O people of the house” (Qur'an 33:33) reflected the connection to the Prophet Muhammad through the Sharifs, the descendants of his family. The white color symbolized peace, spiritual strength, and purity, which was important in the fight against Portuguese outposts on the coast, in particular in the Battle of Al-Qasr al-Kebir in 1578, where Morocco won. The flags remained simple, without complicated emblems, and were used both in military campaigns and for ceremonial purposes, confirming the unity of Morocco under the Saadis. These banners were flown over the new capital of Marrakech and on diplomatic missions to the Ottoman Empire.

When the Alawite dynasty came to power in 1666, the red flag became a national symbol. The color represented courage, sacrifice, and a connection to the Prophet Muhammad through the descendants of his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali, the fourth caliph. The color red was also associated with the sharifs of Mecca and the imams of Yemen, which gave the dynasty religious legitimacy in the eyes of Muslims. The flag was a simple red cloth without symbols, which was raised daily on the fortresses of Rabat, Salé, Tangier, and other cities, symbolizing the sultan's power. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the red color reflected pan-Arab unity and resistance to European pressure, particularly from Portugal, Spain, and France. This flag was used in diplomatic relations, for example, during negotiations with Great Britain, as well as in naval operations where Moroccan ships confronted piracy.

In 1912, Morocco came under French and Spanish protectorates, which changed the use of national symbols, although the red flag remained as a symbol of the sultanate on land. In 1915, Sultan Yusuf added a green five-pointed star, known as the Seal of Solomon, to the red cloth by decree of November 17, symbolizing wisdom and protection. During the protectorate (1912-1956), colonial restrictions were in place at sea, which led to the emergence of separate flags. The French zone used the red flag of the sultanate with the addition of a blue-white-red tricolor in the canton (upper left corner), symbolizing French power and control over foreign policy and defense. The Spanish zone used a red flag with a green field on which a white five-pointed star was placed, reflecting Spanish influence but preserving Islamic symbolism for the local population. In 1921-1926, the Republic of the Reef, led by Abd al-Kerim, operated in northern Morocco, using a red flag with a white diamond in the center, a green crescent, and a six-pointed star. The red color represented resistance to colonization, the white diamond represented purity of intent, and the crescent and star represented Islamic identity and the struggle for freedom. This flag became a symbol of the anti-colonial movement. After gaining independence on March 2, 1956, the red flag with a green five-pointed star, whose proportions are 2:3, became the official national symbol. The star occupies one-third of the flag's height and points upward, symbolizing spiritual uplift. This design embodies the courage, faith, unity and natural heritage of Morocco, remaining unchanged to this day.