Flag of Tunisia
Encyclopedia
The flag of Tunisia
, adopted as national flag
in 1959, was in origin the naval ensign of the kingdom of Tunis, adopted either in 1831 or 1835 by Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud
. The current official design dates to 1999.
The star and crescent
recalls the Ottoman flag
and is therefore an indication of Tunisia's history as a part of the Ottoman Empire
.
Until the mid-18th century, the design and significance of maritime flag
s flying on ships in Tunis were unknown. However, various sources have been able to distinguish certain similarities among the flags: they were designed with a crescent-oriented shape in the presence of the colors blue, green, red, and white. Thereafter, and until the early 19th century, the flag was composed of horizontal blue, red and green stripes, identifying the Ottoman regency in Tunis. This kind of flag with multiple bands and irregular contours floated on top of ships all along the coast of North Africa
; similar flags with different colors and arrangements were also used on the continent.
According to Ottfried Neubecker, the bey of Tunis also had his own flag. This flag was most likely a simple personal banner of the ruler, as it floated above the Bardo Palace
, the Citadel of Tunis, on navy ships, and also in the center of the coat of arms
in Tunisia. It was used at a number of public ceremonies—including at the proclamation of the Ottoman constitution on 21 March 1840—until the abolition of the Bey monarchy on 25 July 1957.
Believed to have been introduced by Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud
, although some sources, such as Abdel-Wahab, claim that it was in use three centuries earlier, the flag was rectangular in shape and divided into nine stripes, the middle one green and double the size of all other bands, while the others alternated between yellow and red. Featured in the center of the green stripe was the Zulfiqar
, the legendary Islamic sword
of Ali
, with the blade in white and the hilt
multicolored. The red and yellow stripes each contained five equidistant
symbols, whose order was alternated between each stripe. These symbols were divided into two categories: one red six-sided star voided with a circle of a different color in the center—either a red star and green circle or a white star and blue circle—, and a large circle voided in its lower right by a small circle of different color, with the combination being either a small red circle within a larger blue circle or a small yellow circle within a larger red circle. The first yellow stripe contains three red stars and two blue circles. The second stripe, red in color, contains three green circles and two white stars. The third stripe (second yellow one) is identical to the first, with the exception that the star in its center is white, while the fourth stripe (second white one) is identical to the second stripe.
Several Muslim countries along the south coast of the Mediterranean Sea
used a red flag similar to the flag
of the Ottoman Empire
. After the destruction of the Tunisian naval division at the Battle of Navarino
on 20 October 1827, the sovereign Husainid Dynasty
leader Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud
decided to create a flag to use for the fleet of Tunisia, to distinguish it from other fleets. There are some discrepancies over the date of the flag's adoption, as the government states that it was adopted in 1831, while other sources like Siobhan Ryan's Ultimate Pocket Flags of the World claim that it was adopted in 1835.
During the era of the French protectorate
in Tunisia, French authorities did not change the Tunisian flag. However, according to an article in the Flag Bulletin publishing in Fall 2000, for a short period of time during the French protectorate, the flag of France
was placed in the canton
(upper left) of the Tunisian flag. In the same vein, vexillologist
Whitney Smith
stated that the addition of the French flag was "modification of the unofficial Tunisian national flag, used for a few years". He added:
Confusion arose when an issue of the French daily newspaper Le Petit Journal
, published on 24 July 1904 on the occasion of the bey of Tunis's visit to France, reproduced an illustration showing the flag used while was visiting the Hôtel de Ville, Paris
. Ivan Sache of Flags of the World
claimed that this flag design, which hadn't been seen earlier, may have been inaccurate, suggesting that the journalist might not have been at the affair or he had reproduced a drawing of the wrong flag.
The Tunisian flag was defined in Article 4 of the constitution
of 1 June 1959.
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The Arab Islamic Republic
was a proposed unification in 1974 of Tunisia
and Libya
, agreed upon by Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi
and Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba
. At the end of a meeting between the two leaders, the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Masmoudi, read a joint statement:
However, faced with opposition from within the regime and abroad, Bourguiba was forced to step back and abandon the project, claiming the unconstitutionality of the referendum.
The flag itself would take have taken the colors of the flag of the Federation of Arab Republics
, in existence from 1972 to 1977, but the falcon present at the center of that flag would have been replaced with the Tunisian star and red crescent, as the union agreement described it: "Flag: the star and Tunisian crescent in the white middle [stripe], then the red and black [stripes]."
The Tunisian flag was defined in Article 4 of the 1 June 1959 constitution under these terms: "The flag of the Republic of Tunisia is red, it has, under the conditions defined by law, in the middle, a white circle containing a five-pointed star surrounded by a red crescent."
The Organic Law
No. 99-56 of 30 June 1999, adopted on 3 July by the Chamber of Deputies
, formalized the Tunisian flag for the first time in law, clarifying Article 4 of the constitution. The flag is in the form of a red rectangle with a width equal to two-thirds of its length
. In the middle of the flag is a white circle whose diameter
is equal to one-third of the length of the rectangle and whose center is located at the intersection
of the diagonal
s of the rectangle. A red five-pointed star is located to the right of the circle, whose center is at a distance equal to one-thirtieth of the length of the flag from the center of the circle.
The location of the star's five points is determined by an imaginary circle centered around the star's center, its diameter equal to roughly 15% the length of the flag. The points of the star are equidistant from each other, and one of the points is located on the horizontal median of the flag to the left of the center of the imaginary circle. The star is surrounded on its left by a red crescent made by the intersection of two arcs
, an outer arc whose diameter is equal to one-fourth of the length of the flag, and an internal arc with a diameter equal to one-fifth of the flag's length. In addition, at the top of the flag used by the President of the Republic, the words "for the nation" are written in gold. The three outer edges of the flag are lined with golden yellow fringe
and a red ribbon, with golden fringe on the right vertical side and a white disk with a star and crescent near the fringe, is attached to the flag pole above the flag.
Article 4 of the 1959 constitution specifies the presence of a technical dossier containing a model of the flag, a guide to drawing it, which includes the proper measurements, and technical specifications of its colors.
s killed during the Turkish conquest of Tunisia in 1574. However, it is a well known historical fact that the Tunisan invited the Turkish to libirate them from the Spanish invaders and from what is left of the Hafside dynasity. Therefore, the interpretation of the Tunisian embassy is far from reality. Another interpretation is that the "red Beylical flag spread light throughout the Muslim world
". The white symbolizes peace
, while the crescent and five-pointed star represent unity of all Muslims and the Five Pillars of Islam
, respectively.
According to Ludvík Mucha, author of Webster's Concise Encyclopedia of Flags & Coats of Arms, the white circle located in the center of the flag represents the sun
. The red crescent and the five-pointed star, two ancient symbols of Islam, were most notably used on Ottoman flag and have since appeared on many flags of Islamic countries. The crescent is, from the viewpoint of an Arabic observer, supposed to bring good luck
. The color red is a symbol of resistance against Turkish supremacy. Whitney Smith states that the crescent was first emblazoned on standards and buildings in the Punic state of Carthage
, located in present-day Tunisia. Since appearing on the Ottoman flag, they were widely adopted by Muslim countries, and have become known as symbols of Islam, when in fact, they may be cultural symbols.
s below, the Tunisian flag is flown in public buildings, compulsory by law:
Article 129 of Penal Code of Tunisia punishes the insult either "publicly, by words, writings, gestures or any other manner" of the Tunisian flag and also foreign flags with one year imprisonment.
The colors of the flag are included in other Tunisian symbols, such as the coat of arms
, which contains a crescent and star enclosed in a circle with red border. In addition, equipment belonging to the Tunisian army
are visually recognized by the presence of a cockade
.
Most political parties of Tunisia reflect the colors of the flag or the flag itself; the logo of the ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally
(RCD) party depicts a few individuals waving the flag. Many postal stamps reflect the motifs of the flag, which radiate "with brightness" on them.
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
, adopted as national flag
National flag
A national flag is a flag that symbolizes a country. The flag is flown by the government, but usually can also be flown by citizens of the country.Both public and private buildings such as schools and courthouses may fly the national flag...
in 1959, was in origin the naval ensign of the kingdom of Tunis, adopted either in 1831 or 1835 by Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud
Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud
Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud was the Bey of Tunis from 1824 until his death in 1835....
. The current official design dates to 1999.
The star and crescent
Star and crescent
A star and crescent featuring in some combination form the basis of symbols widely found across the ancient world, with examples attested from the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia....
recalls the Ottoman flag
Ottoman Flag
The term Ottoman flag refers to any of the flags used by the ruling Sultans of the Ottoman Dynasty. Various flags were used within the Ottoman Empire during its existence, and the sultan also used different personal flags on different occasions of state...
and is therefore an indication of Tunisia's history as a part of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
.
Previous flags
Maritime flag
A maritime flag is a flag designated for use on ships, boats, and other watercraft. Naval flags are considered important at sea and the rules and regulations for the flying of flags are strictly enforced...
s flying on ships in Tunis were unknown. However, various sources have been able to distinguish certain similarities among the flags: they were designed with a crescent-oriented shape in the presence of the colors blue, green, red, and white. Thereafter, and until the early 19th century, the flag was composed of horizontal blue, red and green stripes, identifying the Ottoman regency in Tunis. This kind of flag with multiple bands and irregular contours floated on top of ships all along the coast of North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
; similar flags with different colors and arrangements were also used on the continent.
According to Ottfried Neubecker, the bey of Tunis also had his own flag. This flag was most likely a simple personal banner of the ruler, as it floated above the Bardo Palace
Le Bardo
Le Bardo is a Tunisian city west of Tunis. As of 2004, the population is 73,953.Built by the Hafsid dynasty in the 15th century, the name Bardo comes from the Spanish word "pardo" meaning a garden. Bardo became a residence of the Tunis court in the 18th century...
, the Citadel of Tunis, on navy ships, and also in the center of the coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
in Tunisia. It was used at a number of public ceremonies—including at the proclamation of the Ottoman constitution on 21 March 1840—until the abolition of the Bey monarchy on 25 July 1957.
Believed to have been introduced by Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud
Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud
Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud was the Bey of Tunis from 1824 until his death in 1835....
, although some sources, such as Abdel-Wahab, claim that it was in use three centuries earlier, the flag was rectangular in shape and divided into nine stripes, the middle one green and double the size of all other bands, while the others alternated between yellow and red. Featured in the center of the green stripe was the Zulfiqar
Zulfiqar
Zulfiqar "bifurcated" is the sword of the Islamic leader Ali. In Arabic the name is commonly transliterated as Dhu al-Fiqar, Thulfeqar, Dhulfiqar, Zoulfikar etc. The name Zulfiqar means which divides exactly in two parts....
, the legendary Islamic sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
of Ali
Ali
' |Ramaḍān]], 40 AH; approximately October 23, 598 or 600 or March 17, 599 – January 27, 661).His father's name was Abu Talib. Ali was also the cousin and son-in-law of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and ruled over the Islamic Caliphate from 656 to 661, and was the first male convert to Islam...
, with the blade in white and the hilt
Hilt
The hilt of a sword is its handle, consisting of a guard,grip and pommel. The guard may contain a crossguard or quillons. A ricasso may also be present, but this is rarely the case...
multicolored. The red and yellow stripes each contained five equidistant
Distance
Distance is a numerical description of how far apart objects are. In physics or everyday discussion, distance may refer to a physical length, or an estimation based on other criteria . In mathematics, a distance function or metric is a generalization of the concept of physical distance...
symbols, whose order was alternated between each stripe. These symbols were divided into two categories: one red six-sided star voided with a circle of a different color in the center—either a red star and green circle or a white star and blue circle—, and a large circle voided in its lower right by a small circle of different color, with the combination being either a small red circle within a larger blue circle or a small yellow circle within a larger red circle. The first yellow stripe contains three red stars and two blue circles. The second stripe, red in color, contains three green circles and two white stars. The third stripe (second yellow one) is identical to the first, with the exception that the star in its center is white, while the fourth stripe (second white one) is identical to the second stripe.
Origin of the current flag
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
used a red flag similar to the flag
Ottoman Flag
The term Ottoman flag refers to any of the flags used by the ruling Sultans of the Ottoman Dynasty. Various flags were used within the Ottoman Empire during its existence, and the sultan also used different personal flags on different occasions of state...
of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. After the destruction of the Tunisian naval division at the Battle of Navarino
Battle of Navarino
The naval Battle of Navarino was fought on 20 October 1827, during the Greek War of Independence in Navarino Bay , on the west coast of the Peloponnese peninsula, in the Ionian Sea. A combined Ottoman and Egyptian armada was destroyed by a combined British, French and Russian naval force...
on 20 October 1827, the sovereign Husainid Dynasty
Husainid Dynasty
The Husainid Dynasty is the former ruling dynasty of Tunisia originally of Cretan origin. They came to power under Al-Husayn I ibn Ali at-Turki in 1705 replacing the Muradid Dynasty. After taking power the Husainids ruled as Beys with succession to the throne determined by age with the oldest...
leader Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud
Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud
Al-Husayn II ibn Mahmud was the Bey of Tunis from 1824 until his death in 1835....
decided to create a flag to use for the fleet of Tunisia, to distinguish it from other fleets. There are some discrepancies over the date of the flag's adoption, as the government states that it was adopted in 1831, while other sources like Siobhan Ryan's Ultimate Pocket Flags of the World claim that it was adopted in 1835.
French protectorate
Beylik of Tunis
-Ottoman beylik:The Beylik of Tunis was founded on July 15, 1705, after the Husainid Dynasty led by Al-Husayn I ibn Ali at-Turki defeated the Turkish Deys....
in Tunisia, French authorities did not change the Tunisian flag. However, according to an article in the Flag Bulletin publishing in Fall 2000, for a short period of time during the French protectorate, the flag of France
Flag of France
The national flag of France is a tricolour featuring three vertical bands coloured royal blue , white, and red...
was placed in the canton
Flag terminology
Flag terminology is a jargon used in vexillology, the study of flags, to describe precisely the parts, patterns, and other attributes of flags and their display.-Description of standard flag parts and terms:...
(upper left) of the Tunisian flag. In the same vein, vexillologist
Vexillology
Vexillology is the scholarly study of flags. The word is a synthesis of the Latin word vexillum, meaning 'flag', and the Greek suffix -logy, meaning 'study'. The vexillum was a particular type of flag used by Roman legions during the classical era; its name is a diminutive form of the word velum...
Whitney Smith
Whitney Smith
Whitney Smith is a professional vexillologist, i.e., scholar of flags. The term vexillology, which he coined in his 1958 article Flags of the Arab World, refers to the scholarly analysis of all aspects of flags. In 1961, Smith and colleague Gerhard Grahl cofounded The Flag Bulletin, the world's...
stated that the addition of the French flag was "modification of the unofficial Tunisian national flag, used for a few years". He added:
Confusion arose when an issue of the French daily newspaper Le Petit Journal
Le Petit Journal
Le Petit Journal was a daily Parisian newspaper published from 1863 to 1944. It was founded by Moïse Polydore Millaud. In its columns were published several serial novels of Émile Gaboriau and of Ponson du Terrail.- Publishing :...
, published on 24 July 1904 on the occasion of the bey of Tunis's visit to France, reproduced an illustration showing the flag used while was visiting the Hôtel de Ville, Paris
Hôtel de Ville, Paris
The Hôtel de Ville |City Hall]]) in :Paris, France, is the building housing the City of Paris's administration. Standing on the place de l'Hôtel de Ville in the city's IVe arrondissement, it has been the location of the municipality of Paris since 1357...
. Ivan Sache of Flags of the World
Flags of the World
Flags of the World is an Internet-based vexillological association and resource. Its principal project is the Internet's largest website devoted to vexillology, containing comprehensive information about all kinds of flags, and an associated mailing list...
claimed that this flag design, which hadn't been seen earlier, may have been inaccurate, suggesting that the journalist might not have been at the affair or he had reproduced a drawing of the wrong flag.
Independence and Arab Islamic Republic
Tunisia became independent from France in 1956.The Tunisian flag was defined in Article 4 of the constitution
Constitution of Tunisia
The Constitution of Tunisia is the supreme law of the Tunisian Republic. The Constitution is the framework for the organization of the Tunisian government and for the relationship of the federal government with the governates, citizens, and all people within Tunisia...
of 1 June 1959.
Arab Islamic Republic
The Arab Islamic Republic was a proposed unification of Tunisia and Libya in 1974, agreed upon by Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi and Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba. The proposal was never implemented.- Regional context :...
was a proposed unification in 1974 of Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
and Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
, agreed upon by Libyan ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
and Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba
Habib Bourguiba
Habib Bourguiba was a Tunisian statesman, the Founder and the first President of the Republic of Tunisia from July 25, 1957 until 7 November 1987...
. At the end of a meeting between the two leaders, the Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Masmoudi, read a joint statement:
However, faced with opposition from within the regime and abroad, Bourguiba was forced to step back and abandon the project, claiming the unconstitutionality of the referendum.
The flag itself would take have taken the colors of the flag of the Federation of Arab Republics
Flag of Libya
The Libyan Independence Flag or Flag of Libya was the original flag of the Kingdom of Libya introduced in 1951 following the creation of the Libyan state in the post World War II period...
, in existence from 1972 to 1977, but the falcon present at the center of that flag would have been replaced with the Tunisian star and red crescent, as the union agreement described it: "Flag: the star and Tunisian crescent in the white middle [stripe], then the red and black [stripes]."
Description
The Organic Law
Organic law
An organic or fundamental law is a law or system of laws which forms the foundation of a government, corporation or other organization's body of rules. A constitution is a particular form of organic law for a sovereign state....
No. 99-56 of 30 June 1999, adopted on 3 July by the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Tunisia
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower chamber of the Parliament of Tunisia, the bicameral legislative branch of the government of Tunisia. It has 189 seats and members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms. 20% of the seats are reserved for the opposition. Elections are held in the...
, formalized the Tunisian flag for the first time in law, clarifying Article 4 of the constitution. The flag is in the form of a red rectangle with a width equal to two-thirds of its length
Length
In geometric measurements, length most commonly refers to the longest dimension of an object.In certain contexts, the term "length" is reserved for a certain dimension of an object along which the length is measured. For example it is possible to cut a length of a wire which is shorter than wire...
. In the middle of the flag is a white circle whose diameter
Diameter
In geometry, a diameter of a circle is any straight line segment that passes through the center of the circle and whose endpoints are on the circle. The diameters are the longest chords of the circle...
is equal to one-third of the length of the rectangle and whose center is located at the intersection
Line-line intersection
In Euclidean geometry, the intersection of a line and a line can be the empty set,a point, ora line. Distinguishing these cases, and finding the intersection point have use, for example, in computer graphics, motion planning, and collision detection....
of the diagonal
Diagonal
A diagonal is a line joining two nonconsecutive vertices of a polygon or polyhedron. Informally, any sloping line is called diagonal. The word "diagonal" derives from the Greek διαγώνιος , from dia- and gonia ; it was used by both Strabo and Euclid to refer to a line connecting two vertices of a...
s of the rectangle. A red five-pointed star is located to the right of the circle, whose center is at a distance equal to one-thirtieth of the length of the flag from the center of the circle.
Arc (geometry)
In geometry, an arc is a closed segment of a differentiable curve in the two-dimensional plane; for example, a circular arc is a segment of the circumference of a circle...
, an outer arc whose diameter is equal to one-fourth of the length of the flag, and an internal arc with a diameter equal to one-fifth of the flag's length. In addition, at the top of the flag used by the President of the Republic, the words "for the nation" are written in gold. The three outer edges of the flag are lined with golden yellow fringe
Fringe (trim)
Fringe is an ornamental textile trim applied to an edge of an item, such as drapery, a flag, epaulettes, or decorative tassel.Fringe originates in the ends of the warp, projecting beyond the woven fabric...
and a red ribbon, with golden fringe on the right vertical side and a white disk with a star and crescent near the fringe, is attached to the flag pole above the flag.
Article 4 of the 1959 constitution specifies the presence of a technical dossier containing a model of the flag, a guide to drawing it, which includes the proper measurements, and technical specifications of its colors.
Symbolism
For the Tunisian embassy in France, the color red represents the blood of martyrMartyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s killed during the Turkish conquest of Tunisia in 1574. However, it is a well known historical fact that the Tunisan invited the Turkish to libirate them from the Spanish invaders and from what is left of the Hafside dynasity. Therefore, the interpretation of the Tunisian embassy is far from reality. Another interpretation is that the "red Beylical flag spread light throughout the Muslim world
Muslim world
The term Muslim world has several meanings. In a religious sense, it refers to those who adhere to the teachings of Islam, referred to as Muslims. In a cultural sense, it refers to Islamic civilization, inclusive of non-Muslims living in that civilization...
". The white symbolizes peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
, while the crescent and five-pointed star represent unity of all Muslims and the Five Pillars of Islam
Five Pillars of Islam
The Pillars of Islam are basic concepts and duties for accepting the religion for the Muslims.The Shi'i and Sunni both agree on the essential details for the performance of these acts, but the Shi'a do not refer to them by the same name .-Pillars of Shia:According to Shia Islam, the...
, respectively.
According to Ludvík Mucha, author of Webster's Concise Encyclopedia of Flags & Coats of Arms, the white circle located in the center of the flag represents the sun
Sun
The Sun is the star at the center of the Solar System. It is almost perfectly spherical and consists of hot plasma interwoven with magnetic fields...
. The red crescent and the five-pointed star, two ancient symbols of Islam, were most notably used on Ottoman flag and have since appeared on many flags of Islamic countries. The crescent is, from the viewpoint of an Arabic observer, supposed to bring good luck
Luck
Luck or fortuity is good fortune which occurs beyond one's control, without regard to one's will, intention, or desired result. There are at least two senses people usually mean when they use the term, the prescriptive sense and the descriptive sense...
. The color red is a symbol of resistance against Turkish supremacy. Whitney Smith states that the crescent was first emblazoned on standards and buildings in the Punic state of Carthage
Carthage
Carthage , implying it was a 'new Tyre') is a major urban centre that has existed for nearly 3,000 years on the Gulf of Tunis, developing from a Phoenician colony of the 1st millennium BC...
, located in present-day Tunisia. Since appearing on the Ottoman flag, they were widely adopted by Muslim countries, and have become known as symbols of Islam, when in fact, they may be cultural symbols.
Protocol
The Tunisian flag is visible on all public and military buildings. The flag also floats on the seats of Tunisian ambassadors at regional and international meetings as well as at buildings housing Tunisian representatives around the world. It is deployed during commemorations and national honors in a strictly ceremonial manner. On the listed Flag DayFlag Day
A flag day is a flag-related holiday—either a day designated for flying a certain flag , or a day set aside to celebrate a historical event such as a nation's adoption of its flag....
s below, the Tunisian flag is flown in public buildings, compulsory by law:
| Date | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18 January | Revolution Day | Beginning of tensions between French authorities and Bourguiba Habib Bourguiba Habib Bourguiba was a Tunisian statesman, the Founder and the first President of the Republic of Tunisia from July 25, 1957 until 7 November 1987... -led nationalists (1952) |
| 20 March | Independence Day | Declaration of independence (1956); also known as Remembrance Day |
| 21 March | Youth Day | |
| 9 April | Martyr's Day | Suppression of nationalist demonstrations by French troops (1938) |
| 1 June | Victory Day | Adoption of Constitution of Tunisia (1959) |
| 25 July | Republic Day | Proclamation of the republic (1957) |
| 15 October | Evacuation Day | Evacuation of the last French military base in Tunisia (1963) |
Article 129 of Penal Code of Tunisia punishes the insult either "publicly, by words, writings, gestures or any other manner" of the Tunisian flag and also foreign flags with one year imprisonment.
Variants
Coat of arms of Tunisia
The coat of arms of Tunisia displays a ship along with a lion holding a sword , and a balance . In the centre, just under the ship, is the national motto written in Arabic: Freedom - Order - Justice . The central emblem of the national flag is seen above the shield. The background is gold in all...
, which contains a crescent and star enclosed in a circle with red border. In addition, equipment belonging to the Tunisian army
Military of Tunisia
The Tunisian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.As of 2008, Tunisia had an army of 27,000 personnel equipped with 84 main battle tanks and 48 light tanks. The navy numbered 4,800 operating 25 patrol boats and 6 other craft. The air force had 4,000 personnel, 27 combat aircraft...
are visually recognized by the presence of a cockade
Cockade
A cockade is a knot of ribbons, or other circular- or oval-shaped symbol of distinctive colors which is usually worn on a hat.-Eighteenth century:...
.
Most political parties of Tunisia reflect the colors of the flag or the flag itself; the logo of the ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally
Constitutional Democratic Rally
The Constitutional Democratic Rally , also referred to by its French acronym RCD, formerly called Neo Destour then Socialist Destourian Party, was the governing party in Tunisia. The party was suspended by the minister of interior on February 6th awaiting a decision on its dissolution by judicial...
(RCD) party depicts a few individuals waving the flag. Many postal stamps reflect the motifs of the flag, which radiate "with brightness" on them.