Carrying the Egyptian Flag

Egyptian protesters carried the Egyptian flag as they demonstrated against the rule of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak; they didn’t carry the flag of other parties or factions.  This is significant when we under stand the history and meaning of the Egyptian flag.  Although adopted in 1984, the flag gets it symbolism and meaning from the bloodless uprising against King Farouk in 1952.  Supported by a colonial military, King Farouk was finally deposed in a popular uprising that like the demonstrations of recent weeks remained peaceful.

The Egyptian flag consists of three horizontal bands of cloth: red, white and black.  Egypt’s national emblem, the Eagle of Saladin is centered in the white band.  The three colors of the Egyptian flag recall that revolt against King Farouk.

The red recalls the period before the revolution when the unpopular king ruled Egypt as a British Colony until Farouk was forced to relinquish power to a council of military officers.   The white band of cloth recalls the bloodless revolution which led to Farouk’s ouster.  The black symbolizes the oppression suffered under the Egyptian Monarchy and foreign colonialism.

The parallels between the ouster of King Farouk and President Hosni Mubarak make the display of the Egyptian flag appropriate and meaningful.

Colonial Flag Company wishes the people of Egypt success in returning their nation to democracy with the hope that a prosperous and secure Egypt will continue as a bulwark of freedom in the Middle East.