Afghanistan’s flags have shifted repeatedly with regime changes. The internationally recognized 2013–2021 tricolour—black, red, green with the state emblem—encapsulated sovereignty, Islam, and 1919 independence. Earlier monarchic, republican, communist, and mujahideen governments each altered layouts or emblems; the Taliban (1996–2001; since 2021) use a white flag with the black shahada. Laws in each period set ratios, colours, emblem art, protocol, half‑masting, and dignified retirement.
Afghanistan’s national flag has been one of the most frequently revised in modern vexillology, mirroring sharp turns in state ideology and constitutional order from monarchy to republic, socialist rule, civil conflict, Islamic republic, and the re‑established Islamic Emirate.
Monarchy and Early Tricolours In the late nineteenth century, the Emirate used plain black banners as assertions of sovereignty. Under King Amanullah (r. 1919–1929), a black–red–green palette entered official use, first horizontally then vertically, with a central emblem showing a mosque façade framed by sheaves of wheat and the date 1298 (AH), commemorating 1919 independence from British influence. Subsequent monarchic refinements through 1930–1973 retained the tricolour while adjusting arms and inscriptions, standardising ratios and colour references, and prescribing respectful handling at ministries, courts, and schools.
Republic and Socialist Periods The 1973 republic replaced royal arms; after the 1978 Saur Revolution, socialist authorities introduced a solid red flag with revolutionary emblems, then later a red‑green‑black arrangement with a star and cog. Regulations detailed manufacture, display, and penalties for desecration, aligning usage with socialist symbolism and international practice in allied states.
Mujahideen Governments and the 1990s With the collapse of the socialist regime, mujahideen authorities restored a tricolour and mosque arms, reaffirming Islamic identity. During the late 1990s, the Taliban (1996–2001) instituted a plain white flag bearing the shahada in black, eliminating representational arms and colour symbolism in favour of religious text.
Islamic Republic (2004–2021) After 2001, interim authorities and the 2004 constitution re‑installed the tricolour (black‑red‑green) with a detailed white emblem centred: a mosque with mihrab toward Mecca, rising rays, takbir and shahada, two flags, sheaves, and the independence date. Laws specified a typical 1:2 or 2:3 ratio, emblem geometry, dye references, sunrise‑to‑sunset display, half‑masting by decree, precedence with foreign flags, and dignified retirement when worn. Embassies and armed forces used regulated variants.
Islamic Emirate (since August 2021) Following the fall of the republic, the Taliban resumed use of a white flag with the black shahada. Decrees declare it the sole legal standard on state buildings, documents, and delegations; prior tricolour use is discouraged or prohibited. Protocol emphasises religious reverence, prohibiting profane or commercial uses.
Symbolism
and Protocol Across eras, the tricolour has been read as black for the past, red for struggle and sacrifice, and green for Islam and hope. Mosque emblems have embodied sovereignty, law, and faith; wheat sheaves, agriculture; and dated scrolls, independence. All governments codified manufacture and handling, with penalties for defacement.
International Representation Afghan flags have identified the state at the UN and in sport with frequent transitions reflected in delegation practice. In every phase, legal texts have tied the flag’s form to the ruling order, making the banner an index of constitutional history as much as a national identifier.