Historical references recount the story of the Saudi flag's emergence, beginning when the rulers of Al Saud carried the banner and spread their call while expanding their territories during the First Saudi State. This was seen as a symbol of unity, monotheism, and the homeland. Dr. "Abdullah Al-Munif," Dean of the College of Tourism and Archaeology at King Saud University, spoke to "Al Arabiya.net" about the details of the Saudi flag, stating: "It is commonly understood that the flag is a symbol of faith and homeland, representing peoples and nations. Every element in the flag has meaning and symbolic connotations, such as color, size, and decorations."
He added: "Historical studies have proven that the Saudi flag, centered around the phrase of monotheism, 'There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah,' is inherited from the banner carried by the rulers of Al Saud when they spread their call and expanded their influence during the First Saudi State. It has undergone several transformations and symbolizes both the ruler and the state since the founding of Saudi Arabia."
He continued, saying that the initial form of the Saudi banner was green, made of silk and brocade, featuring the phrase "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" written on it, hoisted on a simple flagpole, remaining unchanged during the era of the first founder Muhammad bin Saud to the time of Saud the Great and his son Abdullah bin Saud.
The Saudi flag was described as a piece of green fabric with the phrase "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" clearly inscribed in the middle, beneath which a sword was drawn, symbolizing strength and jihad for the sake of Allah to raise the word of monotheism high across the earth.
He noted that during King Abdulaziz's time, the flag was rectangular, with its width equaling two-thirds of its length. Its green color extended from the flagpole to the end of the flag, visible to enemies from afar, instilling fear in their hearts. The flag featured the testimonies of faith along with a drawn sword depicted in white.
Al-Rihani mentioned in his history that the flag carried by King Abdulaziz at the beginning of his reign had a white section following the flagpole, alongside a green part, and it was square with the phrase "There is no god but Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah" at its center, topped with two crossed swords. The flag later changed, consolidating one sword beneath the testimony, inscribed with "Victory from Allah and a near conquest."
On the sewing and preparation of the flags, Dr. Al-Munif shared, "A well-known family in Riyadh used to sew and prepare the flags. The last to manage King Abdulaziz’s flag was Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Shahin. The matter was then entrusted to Saad bin Saeed and his son Abdul Mohsen, who were from Riyadh, and subsequently transferred to appropriate authorities."
He stated, "On the 12th of Safar, 1357 AH, corresponding to the 13th of March, 1938 AD, a royal decree was issued regarding the raising of the flag, recorded as Order No. 1/4/7 and published in the official newspaper."
He explained that the green color in the Saudi flag symbolizes the gardens of Paradise, while the testimonies of faith express the oneness of Allah and that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last of the prophets. The sword represents strength, justice, chivalry, and defense of the essence of the testimonies and the nation of monotheism and the Muslim homeland.
Additionally, he added, "The testimonies are inscribed in the Saudi flag using the Thuluth script, positioned in the middle of the width of the testimonies and the sword, which is green. The testimonies and the drawn sword are depicted in white, with the sword measuring three-quarters the length of the testimonies and equidistant from the sides, being rectangular with a width equaling two-thirds of its length, and the sword and testimonies in white against a grassy green background."
