Flag of Lebanon

The white color symbolizes the snow that covers the mountains of Lebanon in most seasons, especially in winter, and carries the meaning of purity, peace, tranquility and sincere love, symbolizing the coexistence of all the different sects and movements that live in Lebanon.

The red color refers to the Lebanese blood that was shed in defense of Lebanon from invaders and usurpers to achieve independence and liberation. This color carries the meaning of the sacrifice that the Lebanese made for Lebanon.

The cedar tree was the first symbol to appear on the Lebanese flag. It was installed in 1918, almost 30 years before the current flag was adopted. The green cedar symbolizes the Bible, where it is mentioned seventy-seven times as a symbol of wealth, power, immortality and longevity. Therefore, it is closely associated with Lebanese citizens who practice the Christian religion in Lebanon. The cedar is also a symbol of peace and holiness. The cedar tree originally had green leaves and a brown trunk, but is currently depicted as completely green, as stipulated in the Lebanese constitution.

There is another interpretation of the symbolism of the colors of the Lebanese flag, which is related to the geography of Lebanon and its mountains:

• The upper red line represents Mount Lebanon, a mountainous region that stretches along Lebanon;
• The lower red line represents the eastern Lebanese mountains;
• the white line in the middle represents the Lebanese Bekaa Valley, as it is located between the two mountainous regions;
• the green cedar symbolizes the green areas of Lebanon, as it is known that all of Lebanon is green, and this is a metaphor for Lebanon as a country of cedars.

Why is the Lebanese flag red, white, and red?

The colors of the Lebanese flag were chosen by one of the representatives of the French occupation of Lebanon, Henri-Philippe Faroun, who was inspired by the red and white flag of Austria, as he was a consul in Vienna for a long time. He also founded the Austrian-Lebanese Friendship Association. 

How unique is the Lebanese flag?

Lebanon's flag is one of the most distinctive flags in the Arab world and around the world because it features the image of a cedar tree. It is one of the five flags in the world that contains the image of a tree. 

The history of the Lebanese flag goes back many years and successive events. Different flags were hung on the territory of the country depending on the periods of rule.

Ottoman Empire (1516-1918): A red flag with a white crescent and a five-pointed star in the middle. 

Flag of Lebanon (1918 - 1920): The flag was only white with a green cedar tree in the middle. It was chosen by the Lebanese people after gaining independence from the Ottoman Empire. The tree was chosen because of the nature of Lebanon, which is full of cedars.

The flag of the French occupation (1920-1943): The flag of France with the addition of cedar. It has three vertical stripes: blue, white, with a green cedar in the middle, and red.

Flag of Lebanon (1943-present): A red and white flag with a green cedar in the middle.