Why does the UAE celebrate Flag Day and what do the colours stand for?

On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates will observe its 14th annual Flag Day, a time for patriotic pride and unity. Established by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, in 2013 to commemorate the accession of the late President Sheikh Khalifa in 2004, this event has since become a staple in the UAE's calendar. While not a public holiday, it is typically celebrated with heightened enthusiasm.

Sheikh Mohammed recently urged the public to fly the flag proudly, describing it as a symbol of national pride, loyalty, and unity. "Raise it high, proud, noble and fluttering in the sky of our country," he said in a message on X. Next Tuesday, on November 3, the UAE will celebrate a vital national moment that embodies love, pride, and loyalty to its homeland.

The origins of the UAE flag date back to 1971 when Abdullah Al Maainah won a competition in Al Ittihad newspaper to design the flag for the new nation. His design, inspired by poet Safi-u-ddin Al Hali, incorporated four colors – green, white, black, and red – representing Arab unity, growth, prosperity, strength, resilience, and the sacrifices made in defense of the nation. The flag was officially adopted in December 1971 and displayed at the UN headquarters in New York on December 10, 1971.

The UAE flag's four colors each hold significant meaning. White represents good deeds and generosity, green symbolizes growth and prosperity, black embodies strength, resilience, and courage, and red stands for the sacrifices made by previous generations of Emiratis in defense of the nation. The Presidential Protocol and Strategic Narrative Authority has issued a guidebook detailing the rules for displaying the national flag, both indoors and outdoors, to preserve its integrity.

These guidelines include specifications on the fabric type, distance from the base, prohibition of additional decorations, and requirements for regular damage checks. Damaged flags must be replaced immediately, and the flag should be flown vertically with the red portion at the top.