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The flag of Lebanon

The flag of Lebanon
Three horizontal bands of red, white and red, the white twice the height of each red band, with a green cedar tree at the centre.
Ratio 2:3 · current design adopted 1943

The constitution requires the cedar to touch both edges of the white band and to be entirely green, which rules out the brown trunk that many reproductions add. The tree has been the country's emblem since the Ottoman period and the design was sketched during a parliamentary session in November 1943, at the moment of independence from France. Old-growth Lebanon cedar now survives in only a few protected groves. The band proportions, 1:2:1, distinguish it from Austria and Peru.

What the colours mean

  • Red #EE161F The blood shed for liberation
  • White #FFFFFF The snow of Mount Lebanon, and peace
  • Green #00A850 The cedar; immortality and steadiness

Flag laws usually specify a Pantone chip, a CMYK mix or just a colour name. Converting any of those to sRGB is lossy, which is why published hex values disagree.

The symbols on it

What What it stands for
Cedar of Lebanon The national tree, mentioned repeatedly in the Bible; holiness, eternity and peace
Ratio
2:3
Current design adopted
1943
Colours
red, white, green

Common questions

What does the flag of Lebanon look like?
Three horizontal bands of red, white and red, the white twice the height of each red band, with a green cedar tree at the centre.
What do the colours of the Lebanon flag mean?
Red: the blood shed for liberation. White: the snow of Mount Lebanon, and peace. Green: the cedar; immortality and steadiness.
When was the Lebanon flag adopted?
The current design dates from 1943, and its official ratio is 2:3.

Related pages

Sources

  1. The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked