Flag of Morocco

Flag of Morocco
Denelson83, Zscout370 · Public domain · source
Name	Morocco
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	17 November 1915
Design	Red field charged with a green five-pointed star
Designer	Alaouite dynasty tradition

Flag of Morocco is the national banner of Morocco, a North African country centered on Rabat, with historical ties to Fez, Marrakesh, Casablanca, Tétouan, and Tangier. The flag features a red field bearing a green five-pointed star called the Seal of Solomon, adopted during the reign of Sultan Yusef of the Alaouite dynasty and formalized under the French Protectorate (1912–1956) era alongside reforms influenced by the Treaty of Fes and interactions with Spain and France.

Description

The flag displays a plain red field with a centered green pentagram, proportioned at 2:3, used by the Monarchy of Morocco and displayed at official sites such as the Royal Palace of Rabat, the Parliament of Morocco, and diplomatic missions in cities like Paris, Madrid, Brussels, Washington, D.C., and New York City. The red background relates to historical standards held by the Almoravid dynasty, the Almohad Caliphate, the Marinid dynasty, and the later Saadi dynasty, while the green pentagram connects to religious symbolism associated with figures such as Ibn Battuta and institutions like the University of al-Qarawiyyin. State flags and naval ensigns follow conventions recognized by international law and displayed at the United Nations headquarters during Moroccan events.

History

Moroccan vexillology traces to medieval eras when banners of the Almoravids flew in campaigns across the Iberian Peninsula, intersecting with conflicts such as the Reconquista and encounters with the Kingdom of Castile and the Kingdom of Portugal. The red field became associated with the ruling Alaouite dynasty after their rise in the 17th century under leaders like Ismail Ibn Sharif who established ties with the Ottoman Empire and engaged with European powers including Spain and France. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Morocco’s flags evolved amid consular relations involving the British Empire, the Kingdom of Italy, and the German Empire, with changes formalized after the Algeciras Conference (1906) and the imposition of the French Protectorate confirmed by agreements such as the Treaty of Madrid and the Treaty of Fes. The green pentagram was officially added on 17 November 1915 under Sultan Yusef to distinguish Moroccan vessels from those of other states, a measure reflecting maritime concerns addressed at ports like Tanger and Casablanca. After independence in 1956 under Sultan (later King) Mohammed V, the flag remained the national symbol, endorsed by successive rulers including Hassan II and current monarch Mohammed VI.

Symbolism and design

Design elements reference dynastic, religious, and national associations. The red field evokes the banner color linked to the Alaouite dynasty and historical rulers such as Moulay Ismail and Ahmad al-Mansur, paralleling red fields used by dynasties like the Saadi and Marinid. The green pentagram, termed the Seal of Solomon in Moroccan usage, connects to Islamic symbolism venerating figures like Solomon in traditions shared across institutions such as the Great Mosque of Casablanca and the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh. Artistic renditions by Moroccan artists and craftsmen, trained at schools related to the Institut National des Beaux-Arts and exhibited at institutions like the Musée Mohammed VI, highlight geometric principles found in works by scholars such as Ibn Khaldun and architects influenced by the Mudéjar and Andalusian traditions. The exact shade of red and green has been standardized in modern vexillary specifications used by the Ministry of the Interior (Morocco) and displayed at royal ceremonies such as those held during state visits involving delegations from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Spain.

Protocol and use

Flag protocol prescribes flying the national flag at royal residences like the Royal Palace of Fez, at governmental institutions including the Casa del Parlamento and at international missions such as the Embassy of Morocco in Washington, D.C. and the Consulate General of Morocco in New York. The flag is raised during national holidays including Throne Day (Morocco), Independence Manifesto Day, and ceremonies commemorating figures such as Allal al-Fassi and Abdelkrim al-Khattabi. Military and police units under formations like the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie and municipal services follow regulations for half-mast observances after events such as royal funerals, state mourning declared by the Prime Minister of Morocco, or incidents involving Moroccan nationals abroad in cities like Casablanca, Agadir, Tangier, and Rabat. Diplomatic etiquette aligns with practices at international venues like the United Nations General Assembly and during bilateral summits with states including France, Spain, United States, China, and Russia.

Variants and related flags

Several flags related to Moroccan history and institutions exist: royal standards of the Monarch of Morocco differ from the national flag and are used at palaces and on official vehicles, while naval ensigns and presidential flags for state visits have distinct emblems shown on vessels registered in ports such as Tanger Med Port and Mohammedia. Historical flags include banners of the Almoravids, the Almohads, the Marinids, and the Regency of Algiers era interactions; colonial-era flags used by the French Protectorate (Morocco) and the Spanish Protectorate in Morocco are preserved in museums like the Museum of Moroccan Arts and archives in Rabat and Madrid. Regional and municipal flags for Marrakesh, Fez, Casablanca, and Chefchaouen incorporate local symbols, while political movements and parties such as Istiqlal Party have used flags during demonstrations linked to milestones like the Banque Al-Maghrib reforms and social campaigns involving figures like Mohamed Ben Abdelkrim al-Khattabi.

Category:National symbols of Morocco