Flag of Oman

A vertical red band at the hoist joins a red horizontal band across the middle, with white above and green below. The national emblem, a khanjar dagger over two crossed swords, is in the upper hoist.

What the flag means

Oman's Ministry of Information gives white as peace and prosperity and green as the fertility of the land. Red comes from the old Omani flag and recalls the battles fought to drive out foreign invaders. The emblem was the badge of the Al Bu Said dynasty from the 18th century before it became the national emblem.

History

Sultan Qaboos bin Said introduced the flag after he took power from his father in 1970. He added white and green bands and the dynasty's emblem to the plain red flag of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman. The new flag was first raised on 17 December 1970. Its proportions were changed in 1995, and Royal Decree 53/2004 now sets out the construction and colours.

Earlier flags of Oman

1856–1970Sultanate of Muscat and Oman: plain red flag

Flags of Oman's neighbours

Sources

Wikipedia: Flag of Oman
Flags of the World: Oman

Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Read how we research flags in our editorial policy, or report a mistake.