Founding Day 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Flag Symbolizes Pride, Faith and Unity
The Saudi Founding Day marks the establishment of the First Saudi State on the hands of Imam Muhammad bin Saud on February, 22, 1727. It is a significant national occasion during which Saudis take pride in their deeply-rooted history and national identity.
The Founding Day celebrations are a showcase of Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and authentic heritage. On this day, Saudis put on their traditional costumes, share delicious traditional dishes, drink Saudi coffee, and enjoy folk music and dance shows.
On this national occasion, Saudi Arabia’s flag features heavily in the celebrations, adorning the buildings and streets of the Kingdom. The Saudi flag holds a great significance, symbolizing national identity and instilling national pride and unity in the Saudi people.
Saudi Founding Day: The Rise of a Proud Nation
Three centuries ago, particularly on February 22, 1727, Imam Muhammad bin Saud became the ruler of the First Saudi State, when he established a political entity to achieve unity, stability and security in the Arabian Peninsula. He took Diriyah as the capital of the state, with Quran and Sunnah as its constitution.
During Imam Muhammad bin Saud’s reign, Diriyah became a stable and prosperous city, emerging as a center for commerce, culture and science. After a long journey full of glory and impactful achievements, Imam Muhammad bin Saud’s sons followed in his footsteps, expanding the state’s political and economic influence to large parts of the Arabian Peninsula.
Second and Third Saudi State
The First Saudi State lasted until 1818, when the Ottoman troops invaded the Arabian Peninsula, bringing devastation and instability to the region. The Ottomans besieged Diriyah after many battles. However, the elements of the Saudi State remained intact, as the people supported Al Saud family.
As a result, the Second Saudi State emerged in 1824, when Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Saud re-established the state, with Riyadh as its capital and Quran and Sunnah as its constitution.
#إنفوجرافيك_الدارة |
تعبر مراحل تطور العلم السعودي عن وطن يتطور باتزان وحكمة، وتؤكد رموزه ودلالاته على معانٍ سامية راسخة في وجدان السعوديين عبر الأجيال.#دارة_الملك_عبدالعزيز #يوم_العلم pic.twitter.com/WibzfMTzt6— دارة الملك عبدالعزيز (@Darahfoundation) March 10, 2024
Years later, in 1902, King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman bin Faisal Al Saud succeeded in recapturing Riyadh. This marked the rise of the Third Saudi State, which brought stability to the region and made great accomplishments across various fields.
In September 1932, King Abdulaziz issued a royal decree announcing the unification of Najd and Hejaz under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the prosperous nation of our modern day.
Saudi Arabia’s Flag: A Symbol of Unity and Loyalty
Saudi Arabia’s flag is a testament to the Kingdom’s glorious history and national identity. Distinguished with its green color, the Saudi flag is a symbol of dignity, unity and prosperity. The flag is widely cherished and respected among Saudis and throughout the Islamic world. It is never draped over deceased leaders, lowered to half-mast during mourning, or used commercially.
The Saudi flag has a rectangular shape, carrying a white inscription of Shahada (the Islamic declaration of faith: There is no God but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah), with an unsheathed sword beneath the Shahada.
The green color dominates the Saudi flag, symbolizing fertility and growth. The Shahada stresses Saudi Arabia’s core religious identity, while the sword symbolizes justice and security. Meanwhile, the white color of the Shahada and the sword indicates purity.
Emphasizing the significance of the flag, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, issued a royal decree designating March 11 of each year as the National Flag Day. This was the day when the late King Abdulaziz approved the current flag design.
Saudi Flag over Time
Since the establishment of the First Saudi State, the Kingdom’s flag developed over time, going through four stages.
In 1727, under the rule of Imam Muhammad bin Saud, the First Saudi State adopted a square green flag, crafted from silk, with a white vertical stripe at the hoist. The flag bore the Shahada in the middle.
During the reign of Imam Turki bin Abdullah, the Second Saudi State adopted the flag of the First Saudi State. This flag continued to represent Saudi Arabia until the beginning of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud’s term in 1902.
Starting from 1902, King Abdulaziz added two crossed vertical swords above the Shahada, while the overall design of the flag remained unchanged.
Afterwards, the Saudi flag changed once again during King Abdulaziz’s reign, with one vertical sword above the Shahada.
In 1925, the Saudi flag featured a new design, which continues to our present day. It has become rectangular in shape, with the Shahada in the middle and a white vertical sword underneath. On March 11, 1937, this design was adopted as the national flag of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
