The United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) Flag Day is a national occasion where people of the UAE remember the efforts of the founders of their State, Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid, and their brothers who sacrificed everything for the sake of their nation. It is a day when the national spirit is renewed, and an occasion to reflect on the achievements of the era of President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
The Flag Day marks the anniversary of Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan becoming the president in 2004. Every year on 3 November people in the Emirates celebrate this national occasion, in which they reaffirm their allegiance to the UAE flag, which is a symbol of the country’s unity is an opportunity to remember the efforts of the founding fathers – Sheikh Zayed, Sheikh Rashid and their brothers from five other emirates
The flag’s position in the life and culture of the Emirati people is unquestionable. It is a powerful symbol of national unity.
Comprising of three colors – black, white, red, and green – the UAE flag colors are a representation of hope, love, honesty, and courage. It was designed in 1971 by Abdullah Al Maainah after taking on the challenge to design the flag as advertised in the Al Ittihad newspaper. The 19-year old won the competition. This is a representation of how our nation was built upon the determination and resilience of a youthful generation.
The flag has serious laws governing it. You cannot just treat it as you do with your clothes or any other material object. Even the material used to make it is controlled as all flags must be made from nylon and must not be lower than 122.4 grams/square kilogram.
Furthermore, the flag must be inspected every 45 days. You cannot own it for more than six months without changing. The purpose of these rules is to ensure that the flag does not look worn out.
The UAE Flag is made up of four colors. These are red, green, black, and white. Each of these colors is symbolic in nature.
Red – Just like blood is red; this color is a representation of the sacrifices that our founding fathers made (including shedding blood) to give us the nation that we enjoy today. They were eager to keep the UAE safe, safeguarding its achievements and gains. When you see red, you need to visualize hardiness, courage, strength, and bravery.
Green – Trees and most vegetation are normally green in color. When you’re surrounded by so much green, you know that the future is bright. That is exactly what inspired Mr. Al Maainah to include this color in the flag. It is a portrayal of joy, hope, love, and optimism. One may also look at it as signaling the prosperity that the country has experienced over the years.
White – When someone waves a white flag, it means they are seeking peace. Similarly, the white color in the UAE flag shows peace and honesty. It is the purest color, and some people normally interpret it as meaning cleanliness. This is a perfect color choice given that the UAE is widely known for its charitable contributions and desire to contribute to the peace of the country.
Black – Most people normally think that black represents oil, which is not true. It is a representation of the strength of mind cherished by Emirati people. Out of this strength, the country has been able to defeat enemies. When the people come together to hoist the flag higher and sing the national anthem; this unity is portrayed clearly.