Kurdish Flag Day is celebrated on December 17
Happy Kurdish National Flag Day.December 17 marks the Kurdish national flag day in the Kurdistan Region.In 2009, the Kurdistan Region Parliament declared December 17 to mark the Kurdish national flag day since it was first officially used by the Republic of Kurdistan known as the Republic of Mahabad on December 17, 1946.
About Kurdish Flag Day
The National Flag of Kurdistan was first introduced at the Paris Peace Conference in 1920 by the early leaders of the Kurdish nationalist movement, Khoyboun.Ever since the early 20th century, the Kurdistan flag has been a symbol of great national pride for Kurds in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey and across the world.
Design of the Kurdistan Flag
The format of the modern Kurdish flag was designed by Dr. Mehrdad Izady,and comprises of a tricolor background, and a centrally placed sun disk. The colors of the flag, from top to bottom, are red, white and green. The yellow sun disk at the center has 21 rays, equal in size and shape. Both the sun emblem and the number 21 hold religious and cultural importance in the native Kurdish Yazdani religious traditions.
According to Dr. Izady, the number 21 is scared in the old Yazdâni religions: Yezidism, Yarsanism, Alevism, etc. In particular, the holy figures in those religions all are born/reborn after only 21 days of gestation. The Yazdâni faiths also believe that the reincarnation/rebirth of the soul takes 21 days from the day of passing. While designing the Kurdish Flag, Dr. Izady chose 21 rays as a symbol of the rebirth of the Kurdish nation, identity, and dignity.
History of the Kurdish Flag
A national Kurdish flag, with a coat of arms instead of a sunburst, was adopted in 1946 by the short-lived Kurdish Republic of Mahabad. In 1992, the Iraqi Kurdistan region adopted the 21-ray sunburst design of Dr. Mehrdad Izady and Dr. Bijhan Eliasi. To this day, the sunburst design remains the National Flag of Kurdistan.
While the National Flag of Kurdistan is recognized throughout all Kurdish regions, several other national flags are flown by various Kurdish political groups across Kurdistan.
Happy Kurdish National Flag Day.
December 17 marks the Kurdish national flag day in the Kurdistan Region.
In 2009, the Kurdistan Region Parliament declared December 17 to mark the Kurdish national flag day since it was first officially used by the Republic of Kurdistan known as the Republic of Mahabad on December 17, 1946.
What is the story of Kurdish colors and the sun ?
If you have already read my post about Kurdish history, you know that there was the Treaty of Sèrves in 1920, where Kurdistan was promised independence. That is exactly the time when Kurdish flag was firstly presented at the Paris Peace Conference.In 1946 the “sunny flag” became the official Flag of the Republic of Mehabad.
“Sunny Flag” has the sun at its center which is called Roj.
This sun has exactly 21 rays.
21 is very important number in Yezidism – it stands for rebirth or renaissance.
21 rays are very often also connected with the March 21 – which is Kurdish Newroz.
The Red
This color stands for the blood
of martyrs that fought for free Kurdistan, for their families, friends and the
whole nation.
The Green
The color symbolizes the pretty,
breathtaking landscape of Kurdistan. It also stands for vitality and life.
The White
This color is simply equality and
peace.
The Yellow
The sun at Kurdish Flag does not
have random color. Yellow expresses the light of the people and the course of
life.