The flag of Egypt, (Egyptian Arabic علم مصر,  is a tricolor consisting of the three equal horizontal red, white, and black bands of the Arab Liberation Flag dating back to the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. The flag bears Egypt’s national emblem, the Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band.  The Free Officers who toppled King Farouk  in the Revolution of 1952 assigned specific symbolism to each of the three bands of the Arab Liberation flag. The red band symbolizes the period before the Revolution, a time characterized by the struggle against the monarchy, and the British occupation of the country. The white band symbolizes the bloodless nature of the Revolution itself. The black band symbolizes the end of the oppression of the Egyptian people at the hands of the monarchy, and foreign imperialism.

Egypt’s use of the Arab Liberation flag inspired its adoption by a number of other Arab states. The same horizontal tricolor is used by Iraq, Syria, and Yemen (and formerly Libya), the only difference being the presence (or absence) of distinguishing national emblems in the white band.  The following makeup, hair and photography is inspired by the flag of Egypt and a love for Egypt’s rich history and culture. Our model is Rebekah.

The development of the modern Egyptian flag was determined first by the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, under whom Egypt was united with Sudan, and later by the rise of Arab Nationalism.  Muhammad Ali, successfully seized power in Egypt, the country was officially an Evalet (Egypt Evalet) of the Ottoman Empire. However, throughout his reign, and that of his sons and grandsons, Egypt enjoyed virtual independence as a Khedivate. To signify his autonomy from the Ottoman Porte, Muhammad Ali introduced a new Egyptian flag of three white crescents and three stars on a red field.

 It has been suggested that this was to symbolise the victory of his armies in three continents (Africa, Asia, and Europe), and his own sovereignty over Egypt, Sudan, and Hejaz. The similarity with the flag of the Ottoman Empire was deliberate, as Muhammad Ali harbored grandiose ambitions of deposing the Ottoman Dynasty, and seizing the sultanic throne himself.  Egypt retained this flag even after formal Ottoman sovereignty was terminated in 1914, when Egypt was declared to be a sultanate, and a British protectorate.

After the Urabi Revolution, in 1882, British forces occupied the country, igniting ever greater nationalist resentment. This reached a peak in the Revolution of 1919, when both the red flag introduced by Muhammad Ali, and a special green banner bearing a crescent and cross were used in protests against the British (the latter symbolizing both Egypt’s Muslim and Christian communities supporting the nationalist movement against the occupation).

The flag is hoisted on all Egyptian governmental buildings on Fridays, national holidays, the opening session of the People’s Assembly, and any other occasions as determined by the Minister of the Interior. The flag is hoisted daily on border posts, customs buildings, Egyptian consulates and embassies overseas on Revolution Day (July 23), and other national holidays, as well as during the visit of the Egyptian President to the country hosting the diplomatic mission.  Abusing the flag in any way is a criminal offense and is punishable under law as it implies contempt of the power of the state. Penal provisions also govern abuse of foreign flags or national emblems of other countries.

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Text via Wikipedia

Flag of Egypt | Featuring: Rebekah Äotsch

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