Iran Flag History: The Evolution of the Old Iran Flag

The first known flag of Iran, symbolizing the Median Empire’s rule from 678–550 BCE.

The official flag of the Achaemenid Empire, representing Persian power from 550–330 BCE.

The Macedonian Empire flag during Alexander the Great’s conquest of Persia (330–312 BCE).

The Seleucid Empire flag during the Hellenistic rule over Persia (312–63 BCE).

The official flag of the Parthian Empire, symbolizing Persian resurgence (247 BCE–224).

The royal banner of the Sassanian Empire, representing Persian heritage and Zoroastrian influence (224–651).

The military banner of the Rashidun Caliphate, featuring the Shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) (651–661).

The white banner of the Umayyad Caliphate, symbolizing early Islamic governance (661–750).

The black banner of the Abbasid Caliphate, featuring a gold emblem (750–1258).

The black banner of the Samanid Empire, symbolizing Persian-Islamic rule (819–999).

The green war banner of the Tahirid Dynasty, symbolizing Persian-Islamic governance (821–873).

The green and white banner of the Saffarid Dynasty, symbolizing Persian independence (861–1002).

The striped green and gold banner of the Buyid Dynasty, representing Persian Shia rule (934–1062).

The green flag of the Ghaznavid Empire, featuring a crescent moon and a golden peacock, symbolizing Persian and Islamic heritage (977–1186).

The blue banner of the Great Seljuk Empire, featuring a double-headed eagle, symbolizing Persian-Turkic power and sovereignty (1037–1194).

The black banner of the Khwarazmian Empire, featuring a green crescent, symbolizing Persian-Turkic power and Islamic governance (1077–1231).

The blue banner of the Mongol Empire, featuring the Eternal Sky symbol, representing Mongol-Turkic power and divine rule (1219–1335).

The flag of the Ilkhanate, a Mongol successor state in Persia (1256–1335), featuring a yellow field with a red square, symbolizing Mongol rule and imperial authority.

The flag of the Muzaffarid Dynasty (1314–1393), featuring a triangular pennant with red and yellow fields and a white crescent moon.

A possible representation of the Timurid Empire flag (1370–1507), featuring three circles arranged in a triangle, symbolizing their rule in Persia and Central Asia.

The turquoise banner of the Qara Qoyunlu, featuring a black tribal emblem, symbolizing Turkmen rule over Persia and Azerbaijan (1374–1468).

The deep blue banner of the Aq Qoyunlu, featuring a white tribal emblem, representing Turkmen rule and Persian influence (1378–1503).

The green and gold banner of the early Safavid Dynasty, representing Shi'a Islam and Persian sovereignty under Shah Ismail I (1501–1524).

The green banner of the Safavid Dynasty featuring the Lamb and Sun, symbolizing Persian monarchy and Shi'a identity (1524–1576).

The military banner of the late Safavid era, featuring the Lion and Sun, symbolizing Persia's Shi'a identity and military strength (1576–1732).

The military flags of the Afsharid Empire under Nader Shah, symbolizing Persian military dominance and expansion (1736–1796).

The official flag of the Zand Dynasty, featuring the Lion and Sun symbol, used under Karim Khan Zand (1751–1794).

The Qajar Empire (1789–1925) used multiple flag variations, each representing different aspects of Persian identity and sovereignty. These flags featured the iconic Lion and Sun emblem, evolving through different colors and designs over time.

The Pahlavi Iran flag (1925–1979) maintained the green, white, and red tricolor with the Lion and Sun emblem at its center. This flag symbolized Persian heritage, monarchy, and national identity until the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Islamic Republic of Iran Flag (1979–Present) – Evolution and Design Changes