Flag of Iran

The Lion and Sun flag is a historic Iranian national flag that served as the state flag from 1907 until the 1979 Islamic Revolution, after which it was banned by the new regime.2 It features a horizontal tricolour of green, white, and red with a golden Lion and Sun emblem centred on the white band.2 The emblem depicts a male lion facing a rising sun, with variations in design over time—some versions show the lion holding a sword, while others depict it unarmed, and the sun has evolved from a face-containing disc to a simple rayed circle.2 The flag was officially adopted on 7 October 1907 following the Iranian Constitutional Revolution and underwent modifications during the Pahlavi era, including darkened colours in 1933 and a change in proportions to 4:7 in 1964.2 Despite its official relinquishment in 1980, the flag remains a powerful symbol of Iranian national identity, particularly among the diaspora and opposition movements.2 It has gained renewed prominence during recent protests in Iran and internationally, with demonstrators waving it as a sign of resistance against the Islamic Republic.4 On 9 January 2026, the Twemoji emoji set on X (formerly Twitter) replaced the official Islamic Republic flag emoji with a modern digital reconstruction of the Lion and Sun flag, further amplifying its visibility.2 This version, widely used since 2012 and popularized by a Wikimedia Commons contributor, has become the most prevalent modern design despite lacking official status.2 The flag's enduring legacy reflects its deep roots in Persian heritage, with symbolic connections to ancient dynasties, Shia traditions, and national pride.6