Flag of Qatar

What the flag means

Qatar's Ministry of Information has described the white as peace and the maroon as the blood shed in wars of the later 19th century. The ministry links the nine points to Qatar becoming the ninth Gulf emirate in treaty relations with Britain, which it did in 1916. Law No. 14 of 2012 fixes the shade as Pantone 1955 C.

History

The traditional flag of the area was plain red, and a white band was added at the hoist in the 19th century after a British directive. In 1932 the serrated edge appeared, with diamonds and the word 'Qatar', and Qatar kept a purple-red shade in place of the red the British suggested. Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Thani removed the wording and diamonds in the 1960s. The flag was adopted in its present form on 9 July 1971, shortly before independence on 3 September 1971.

It is the only national flag more than twice as wide as it is tall. Bahrain's flag is similar but red, with fewer points and 3:5 proportions.

Earlier flags of Qatar

1. 18th century–1860Plain red flag
2. 1932–1936Serrated flag with nine points, diamonds and the word 'Qatar'

Flags that look like this one

QatarBahrain

Both have a white band with a zigzag edge. Qatar is maroon with nine points; Bahrain is red with five points.

Flags of Qatar's neighbours

• Saudi Arabia