By Rejin Jabbar
The Kurdish people have a rich and diverse history and one of the most prominent symbols of their identity is the Kurdistan flag. Kurdistan Flag Day is a day dedicated to the Kurdistan flag and its meaning and its role in the continuous struggle for Kurdish autonomy, unity and recognition. This day is celebrated annually by Kurds around the world as an important occasion for pride, solidarity and commemoration of the long history of the Kurdish people’s struggle. Here we will briefly discuss the history, symbols, political significance, cultural aspects, and effects of Kurdistan flag Day.
The origin of the Kurdistan flag
The Kurdistan flag, one of the most prominent symbols of Kurdish nationalism, was officially adopted on December 17, 1946 by the Republic of Mahabad, a short-lived Kurdish state in East Kurdistan. But its roots go back much earlier to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with the retreat of the Ottoman Empire and the Persian Empire. Kurds in the areas that now make up Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria began to demand more autonomy and recognition. Kurdish intellectuals and political figures began to express the need for a Kurdish state or at least greater autonomy in all four parts of Kurdistan.
The 20th century, when the Kurdish people began to assert their identity more significantly. The desire for self-government, independence and recognition of Kurdish culture played a significant role in the creation of the Kurdistan flag.
- Republic of Mahabad and raising the flag
The Mahabad Republic, which lasted less than a year, was a significant moment in Kurdish history. Although short-lived, he established the Kurdistan flag as a symbol of hope for a Kurdish homeland. The flag adopted in Mahabad consisted of three horizontal lines: red at the top, white in the middle, green at the bottom, and the sun in the middle. This flag remains the central symbol of Kurdish identity to this day. The Kurdistan flag is more than a flag, it is a powerful symbol that carries a deep meaning. The type of color used on the flag has its own symbol and although the flag is simple but full of the meaning of Kurdish land of the region, it consists of three distinct colors (red – white – green) their meaning is as follows:
Red: It means the blood that the Kurds have shed in the struggle for freedom, justice and independence. It is a symbol of the courage, sacrifice and resistance of the Kurdish people throughout history, and all those martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the Kurdish liberation movement
White: It symbolizes peace, unity and the Kurdish people’s desire to live in harmony with their neighbors. It means the desire of the Kurdish people for peaceful coexistence and prosperity and all kinds of life in Kurdistan without distinction of religion (Christian – Muslim – Yazidi – Kakayi – Zoroastrian and many others and without distinction of ethnicity (Kurdish – Arab – Turkmen – Assyrian). They exist peacefully on this land.
Green: Symbolizes the fertile soil of the Kurdish people and its connection to nature and hope for a brighter future. It also refers to the relationship between Kurdish culture and heritage, and also means the unique nature of Kurdistan, with its greenery, valleys, plains, high mountains and charm of Kurdistan.
The sun in the middle of the Kurdistan flag
In the center of the flag is a sun, with 21 rays, often depicted in a golden hue. The sun is a symbol of light, hope and a new dawn for the Kurdish people. The 21 rays represent the 21 letters of the Kurdish alphabet, reflecting the importance of language and literacy in the Kurdish national movement. The sun also symbolizes the promise of a bright future and the endurance of the Kurdish people in difficult times. These 21 rays have another meaning: March 21, the Kurdish national New Year and the first day of spring, which means immortality and always bright.