Last Updated on September 24, 2021
The flag of Yemen was adopted on May 22, 1990, the day that North Yemen and South Yemen were unified. The flag is essentially the Arab Liberation Flag of 1952, introduced after the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 in which Arab nationalism was a dominant theme. The Arab Liberation Flag of 1952 served as the inspiration for the flags of both North and South Yemen prior to unification, as well as for the current flags of Egypt, Iraq, Sudan and Syria.
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Brief History of the Flag of Yemen
Prior to 1990, the nation of Yemen was divided into two sections: North and South Yemen. Each section had their own flags throughout the years. North Yemen used the Mutawakkilite Kingdom of Yemen flag until 1923. This flag featured simply a bright red field. Later the flag was updated to include inscriptions and symbols. These flags were in use through 1962. After that time, the flag used was the one of the Yemen Arab Republic, which is very similar to the one today with the exception of a five-pointed green star centered on the white band.
South Yemen had its own flags that were used throughout the years. Until 1963, the Colony of Aden flag was used. Then, the region used the flag of the Federation of South Arabia through 1967. It was during that year that the flag of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen was used. This flag was used until 1990.
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In 1990, North and South Yemen united. When this occurred, a new national flag was adopted. This flag, adopted officially on May 22 of that year, was similar to the Arab Liberation Flag, which has also inspired other flags including those of Iraq, Sudan, Egypt and Syria.
Meaning Behind the Colours of the Flag of Yemen
The flag of Yemen has what appears to be a basic design – a horizontal tricolor band. However, the colors of this nation’s flag hold great importance. The flag represents unity and the martyrs’ bloodshed for the nation. The colors also represent the country’s bright future ahead, as well as a nod to its dark past.
The colors of the Yemen flag are red, white and black. The top color, red, stands for the bloodshed of the country and the unity between its people. The white is representative of the nation’s bright future. The black is symbolic of the dark past of the nation.