Bahrain's National Flag: History And Meaning Explained

The national flag of Bahrain is a rectangular banner that features a white band on the left separated from a red area on the right by five triangles that form a serrated line. The Bahrain flag has a rich history and meaning, which this article will explore.

The red colour represents the traditional colour of the Khārijite sect of Islam

The flag of Bahrain is composed of a white band on the left and a red area on the right, separated by five triangles that form a serrated line. The red colour on the flag represents the traditional colour of the Khārijite sect of Islam, which once controlled that part of the Arabian Peninsula. The white colour, on the other hand, symbolises peace.

The Bahrain flag's current design was officially adopted on February 14, 2002, but the country has had a red flag for much longer. In fact, the earliest known Bahraini flag was plain red. This changed in 1820 when Bahrain signed a general maritime treaty with the British Empire. As a result of this treaty, Bahrain added a white stripe to its flag to signify the new peaceful relationship. The white stripe also served to distinguish the Bahraini flag from the flags commonly used by pirates in the region.

The red colour on the Bahraini flag, which has been present since before the 1820 treaty, represents the traditional colour of the Khārijite sect of Islam. This sect once controlled the part of the Arabian Peninsula that includes modern-day Bahrain. While the red colour on the flag has a historical religious significance, the white colour was added later and carries a different meaning.

The white colour on the Bahraini flag represents peace. It was added to the flag to signify the peaceful relationship between Bahrain and the British Empire, established by the 1820 treaty. The white stripe also helped to distinguish Bahrain's flag from those used by pirates in the region, which often featured a plain red design.

The design and colours of the Bahraini flag have evolved over time, reflecting the country's history and changing political landscape. The current flag, with its red and white colours and serrated line of five triangles, combines symbolic representations of the country's religious foundations and its commitment to peace.

The white colour symbolises peace

The Bahrain flag features a white band on the left, separated from a red area on the right by five triangles that serve as a serrated line. The white colour symbolises peace.

In 1820, Bahrain signed a general maritime treaty with the British Empire, and as a result, a white stripe was added to the flag to signify the treaty and to distinguish it from the flags commonly used by pirates. The white stripe was also added to characterise the new peaceful relationship between the UK and the Arab countries that signed the treaty. The Bahrain flag had already incorporated the colour red, which represented the Islamic religion and the Kharijite sect of Islam, which controlled that part of the Arabian Peninsula.

The Bahrain flag has been altered several times since 1820. In 1932, a serrated edge was added to the flag to differentiate it from those of neighbouring countries. The flag originally had 28 white points, but this was reduced to eight in 1972. On 14 February 2002, the number was again reduced to five, so that each point could stand for one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

The Bahrain flag is similar to the flag of Qatar. However, the Qatar flag uses maroon instead of red and has nine points or triangles instead of five.

The five triangles represent the five pillars of Islam

The Kingdom of Bahrain's flag is a simple design, but it carries a wealth of symbolic meaning and national pride. The red and white colors and the five triangles are the key elements that require closer inspection to understand their significance to the country and its people. The five triangles on the Bahrain flag are a direct and explicit reference to the five pillars of Islam, which form the foundation of Muslim life. This visual representation of the five pillars is a powerful symbol for the country, as Islam is the official religion of Bahrain, and the majority of its population practices this faith.

The first pillar, Shahada, is the Islamic creed or statement of faith, professing the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad. The second, Salat, refers to the obligatory prayers performed five times a day while facing the Kaaba in Mecca. The third pillar, Zakat, is the practice of charitable giving, whereby Muslims are obligated to donate a portion of their wealth to the needy. This pillar promotes social equality and solidarity within the community.

The fourth triangle symbolizes Sawm, the act of fasting during the month of Ramadan from dawn until dusk. This practice is meant to teach patience, humility, and gratitude, as well as to foster a sense of spiritual purification and closeness to God. The fifth and final triangle represents Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca, which every Muslim must strive to undertake at least once in their lifetime, provided they are physically and financially capable. This final pillar unifies Muslims from all over the world as they gather in Mecca, emphasizing the equality of all believers regardless of race, class, or nationality.

These five pillars are the basis of Islamic practice, and by incorporating them into the national flag, Bahrain emphasizes the importance of these religious duties in the lives of its citizens. This symbolic reference to the five pillars serves as a constant reminder of the country's religious heritage and the values that underpin its society and governance.

The flag's design is similar to Qatar's flag

The flag of Bahrain features a white band on the left side, separated from a red area on the right by five white triangles that form a serrated line. The five triangles represent the Five Pillars of Islam, which are the five obligations every Muslim is expected to live by to achieve a good life. The red colour symbolises the blood of martyrs and the battles of Bahrain, and the white represents peace.

The design of the Bahrain flag is indeed similar to Qatar's flag. The Qatar flag also features a white band on the left and a coloured area on the right, separated by a serrated line. However, there are several differences between the two flags. Firstly, the colour of the right area on the Qatari flag is maroon, not red. Secondly, the serrated line on the Qatari flag consists of nine triangles, compared to five on the Bahraini flag. Finally, the Qatari flag has a greater length-to-width ratio than the Bahraini flag.

The similarities between the two flags can be attributed to the historical influence of the British in the region. In 1820, Bahrain signed a general maritime treaty with the British Empire, which added a white stripe to their previously red flag to symbolise the new peaceful relationship. The Qatar flag also features a white stripe, which was likely added for the same reason, as Qatar is also a signatory to the General Treaty of Peace.

Over time, both Bahrain and Qatar made changes to their flags to distinguish them from other countries in the region. In 1932, Bahrain added a serrated edge to its flag, which originally had 28 triangles. This number was reduced to eight in 1972 and then to five in 2002, with each triangle representing one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Qatar also adopted a serrated edge with nine triangles, likely to differentiate its flag from Bahrain's.

The flag was influenced by the UK's involvement in the region

The flag of Bahrain has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. The design and colours were influenced by the UK's involvement in the region, specifically the signing of the General Treaty of Peace between the Arab countries and the British in 1820.

Before 1820, the Bahraini flag was plain red. However, as a result of the General Treaty of Peace, a white stripe was added to the flag to signify the new peaceful relationship between the UK and the local Arab states. This treaty, enforced by the British, brought an end to the extensive warfare and piracy that had plagued the southern coast of the Persian Gulf for centuries. The white stripe also served to distinguish the Bahraini flag from the flags commonly used by pirates in the region.

The colour red on the flag has a significant meaning. It represents the traditional colour of the Kharijite sect of Islam, which controlled that part of the Arabian Peninsula. The white stripe, added in 1820, not only symbolised peace but also provided a good contrast to the red background.

Over time, the Bahraini flag underwent further modifications. In 1932, a serrated edge was introduced to differentiate it from the flags of neighbouring countries. The number of triangles on the serrated edge has changed several times, from 28 to 8, and finally to 5 in 2002. The current design, with five triangles, symbolises the Five Pillars of Islam, representing the five obligations that every Muslim is expected to live by to achieve a responsible and good life. These pillars include Shahadah, Salat, Zakat, Saum, and Hajj.

The Bahraini flag, with its red and white colours and serrated edge, has become a distinctive symbol of the country's history, culture, and religious beliefs, influenced by the UK's historical involvement in the region.

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