The flag of Morocco is often seen flying proudly on the streets of Marrakech, both in the modern Gueliz neighborhood and the historic Medina. In fact, Moroccans are often quite patriotic, and you will discover that many Marrakchi residents will gladly share with you the history of their nation and their city. But just like any flag, the Moroccan flag alone may reveal a lot about Moroccan history. Here is a brief explanation of the Moroccan flag.
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The Moroccan flag consists of a red background with a green pentagram star that is edged in black. Red and green are classic colors in Arab flags, and both colors may be seen on the flag of neighboring Algeria and the flag of the Western Sahara, even if the usage of red is more often linked with the Arab republics of the Persian Gulf. Additionally, red has significant historical importance in Morocco, signifying the royal Alaouite family’s lineage back to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
The Moroccan flag under the Alaouite Dynasty consisted of a simple red field. When Mulay Yusuf was in charge of Morocco in 1915, a green five-pointed star was added to the flag. Five straight lines are used to form the green pentagram; each line stands for one of Islam’s five pillars. As the star of Solomon, often referred to as the seal of Solomon or the Seal of Mohammed, and with the color green frequently linked with Islam, this kind of star has been used as a religious symbol for many centuries.
The flag was outlawed throughout much of Morocco when it was governed by the French and Spanish. The flag we see today is once again flown with pride across Morocco and the red city since Morocco’s independence in 1956.
Morocco Flag Meaning and Map
The Moroccan flag is made up of a red background with a green star in the middle. But a deeper examination of this design’s importance and Morocco’s history with flags paints a more nuanced picture. In this article, we’ll look at the origins of the Moroccan flag and discover what it stands for.
Morocco Flag: Colors and Meaning
The Moroccan flag, which has a green pentagram in the middle of a red field, has been in use constantly since 1915. Different theories exist on the importance of the flag’s colors, particularly red.
The official color of the flag is bright red, or Pantone 7620 C, and it has always had significance in Morocco. It is connected to the royal ‘Alawid family and their dynasty, maybe most prominently. The family has maintained positions of authority in the area for about 400 years and claims to be descended from the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Mohammed VI, the reigning monarch of Morocco, is a member of the ‘Alawid Dynasty.
Red is a significant hue in Islamic civilizations since it was also employed by the sharifs of Mecca and the imams of Yemen. In addition to having Islamic significance, the color red has been interpreted to stand for bravery, strength, and courage.
Islam also often employs the traditional color green. The Seal of Soloman, a Muslim emblem ascribed to the Israelite King Soloman, is symbolized by the green pentagram in the center of the flag. The five points of the star emblem also stand for the concepts of Love, Truth, Peace, Freedom, and Justice, which are considered to be the five pillars of Islam.
Morocco Flag Information
Is Western Sahara part of Morocco?
Legally speaking, Western Sahara is not a part of Morocco. Up until 1975, the region was a colony of Spain. After Spain left, Mauritania and Morocco attacked and annexed the area.
Since then, Mauritania has recognized the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) as an independent state and signed a peace agreement with the Polisario Front, who are the local Sahrawi people’s representatives. Morocco and the Polisario Front are still at odds, and Morocco still controls a sizable chunk of Western Sahara.
What is the name of the star on the Moroccan flag?
The Seal of Solomon is the name of the five-pointed green star on the Moroccan flag. The five points on the flag are thought to symbolize the five pillars of Islam as well as the concepts of love, truth, peace, freedom, and justice. It is an old emblem with importance in Islam.
What is the national symbol of Morocco?
The Barbary Lion, also known as the North African Lion or the Berber Lion, is the national animal of Morocco and has been extinct since the 1960s.
How ancient is the flag of Morocco?
The present Moroccan flag was designed in 1915, therefore in 2023 it will turn 108. It replaced the old solid red flag and was developed when the nation became a protectorate of France.
Background of the Moroccan Flag
After coming to power in the 17th century, the “Alawid Dynasty” flew solid red flags for a long time. Islamic soldiers advancing west across Africa at this period often used flags with a single solid hue. The Quranic verses and Islamic symbols like the Hand of Fatima and the Sword of Ali have sometimes been emblazoned on flags. Some of the governing dynasties also made use of pre-Islamic Berber emblems.
Parts of Morocco were designated as protectorates of France and Spain from 1912 until 1956. During this period, the old solid red flag’s use was modified. In the territories governed by France at the time, the modern Moroccan flag was established in 1915. The green Seal of Solomon was then placed in the center of the red flag.
Mawlay Yusef, the then-ruling sultan of Morocco, created the flag. Morocco has maintained to fly its crimson flag with the green Seal of Solomon in the middle since obtaining complete independence from France in 1956.
Other Moroccan flags from the past
The Republic of the Rif was established in 1921 when the inhabitants of the Rif, a mountainous area in northern Morocco, proclaimed their independence from both the Spanish occupation and the Moroccan monarch. The Republic’s flag had a crimson background and a white diamond in the centre with a green crescent and star. The Republic lasted until 1926, when armies led by Spain and France overthrew it.
A tiny green flag with a white Seal of Solomon placed in the upper-left corner of a solid red banner served as the flag of the Spanish protectorate in Morocco until it was replaced in 1937.
Other Moroccan flags from the past
The people of the Rif, a mountainous region in northern Morocco, declared their independence from both the Spanish occupation and the Moroccan king in 1921, leading to the founding of the Republic of the Rif. The Republic’s flag had a white diamond with a green crescent and star in the middle, on a scarlet backdrop. The Republic survived until 1926, when it was overthrown by forces commanded by Spain and France.
The flag of the Spanish protectorate in Morocco was a small green flag with a white Seal of Solomon placed in the upper-left corner of a solid red banner until it was changed in 1937.
Another Moroccan territory with a distinctive identity and its own flag was the International Zone of Tangier. Tangier was designated as the diplomatic capital of Morocco and has long served as a hub of communication between Europe and Morocco.
In 1923, the area around the city was declared a tax haven and declared neutral, with no military presence. The coat of arms on the left side and a green Seal of Solomon on the right on a red backdrop made up the flag of the Tangier International Zone.
Morocco’s independence
It took many decades for Morocco to get free of colonial rule, but it finally achieved independence in 1956. While Mohammed V was the sultan, the movement of independence made substantial strides and finally proved successful.
On November 18, 1927, Mohammed V of Morocco—then just 17 years old—took the throne as Sultan of Morocco. Several foreign countries occupied Morocco throughout his rule, and Mohammed V finally rose to prominence in the country’s liberation fight.
The Proclamation of Independence of Morocco, which was issued in 1944 with the assistance of Sultan Mohammed V, expressed the aspiration of Moroccan nationalists to create an independent state. Mohammed V made the case for Moroccan independence in two addresses at Tangier’s Mendoubia and Grand Mosque three years later, in 1947. The Tangier Speech is the collective name for these two speeches.
The nationalist movement in Morocco made tremendous development in the months and years before to and after the Tangier Speech, and tensions with French authorities in Morocco became more tense. In 1952, riots broke out in Casablanca as Mohammed V’s support for and devotion to the nationalist cause became stronger and more obvious. At the UN, Mohammed V brought the issue to a global audience and won the American government’s support.
Mohammed V was pushed into exile in 1953 by French authorities, who sent him first to Corsica and then to Madagascar. The “French Sultan,” Mohammed Ben Aarafa, his first cousin once removed, ascended to the throne in his place. Aarafa was despised in Morocco and was seen as a puppet king by France.
In 1955, Mohammed V was given permission to return to Morocco, and the following year, talks to declare Morocco’s independence started. Morocco formally reclaimed its independence from France in March 1956, adopting the name “Kingdom of Morocco.” One month later, the Spanish protectorate was abolished, however the Spanish enclaves on the coast at Ceuta and Melilla continued to exist. The crimson flag with a green star has been Morocco’s national flag ever since it gained independence.
Morocco’s Neighboring Countries
Neighboring Countries of Morocco
North-eastern African landlocked nation of Morocco. It has land borders with Algeria, Western Sahara, and Spain and has coasts on both the Atlantic and Mediterranean seas. Morocco and Mauritania both share boundaries since Morocco controls a large portion of Western Sahara.
The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which are situated along the coast in northern Morocco, are where its boundaries with Spain are situated. Despite the fact that Spain now has jurisdiction over these areas, Morocco continues to assert its sovereignty over them.
The Strait of Gibraltar, which is 58 kilometers (36 miles) long and narrows to 13 kilometers (8 miles) at the closest point between continental Europe and Africa, divides northern Morocco from the European continent.
Moroccan characteristics in general
The 446,300 square kilometer Kingdom of Morocco is a part of the African Union, the Union for the Mediterranean, and the Arab League. There are 12 regions of Morocco that were created in 2015. Rabat is the country’s capital.
The French conquest of Morocco at that time had a big impact on the language and culture. About 32% of the population speaks French, and French language instruction is required in schools. Arabic and Berber are the two official languages of Morocco, and Darija is the name of the local Arabic dialect group that is spoken there.
Casablanca and Marrakech, two of the most picturesque towns in Africa, are among the most visited by visitors and play a significant role in the Moroccan economy. Beautiful beaches, a rich culture, and Morocco’s proximity to Europe make it more cheap than other regions.
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