What does the Dubai flag look like and what do its colours mean?

The flag of Dubai

Each of the 7 emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates has its own flag. There is also one common Emirati flag, uniting all the territories into one nation. What does the flag of the emirate and the city of Dubai look like?

The colours of the flag of Dubai are red and white. The flag is rectangular in shape, where 3/4 of the flag is occupied by red. 1/4 of the flag of Dubai is a white stripe in the front left part of the flag. In colour, Dubai's flag resembles the flags of other emirates, namely Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.
 

The significance of the colours of the Dubai flag

As you can see, red and white are common on the flags of each emirate. Why does the flag of Dubai have these colours? The meaning of the colours of the Dubai flag is to represent the ideas and values most important to the people. Red symbolises the courage of the people and the citizens' dedication to the nation, while white symbolises peace, kindness and generosity. The symbols of the Dubai flag are these two colours, identifying the people of the city and the emirate on the world map. The flag is complemented by the coat of arms, which features the national symbols of Dubai. What are the national symbols of Dubai? They are: the falcon, which is the most important animal for the true Dubai people, the traditional abra boat for pearl fishing and the date palm tree against the backdrop of the beach and the waters of the Persian Gulf.

You will find many other interesting articles about Dubai's history, traditions and culture on the Two Continents website. The texts from Two Continents are not only news from the world of travel, but also guides that are essential when travelling and experiencing Dubai.

History of the Dubai flag

Historically, the flag of Dubai was a whole red rectangle. The colours of the flag were changed in 1820 by a treaty with the United Kingdom. The emirate's authorities had to add a white stripe 1/4 the width of the flag to their flag, as the all red flag was confusing the British fleet, which took Dubai ships for pirate ships. After the flag was changed, it remains unchanged to this day.

The flag of Dubai versus the flag of the United Arab Emirates

Now that we know the flag of Dubai, it is worth comparing it to the flag most commonly seen in Dubai, that of the United Arab Emirates. How does the flag of Dubai differ from that of the UAE? Let's start with what the UAE flag looks like.

The flag of the United Arab Emirates is a rectangle with four colours: green, white, black and red. The flag is divided into three stripes, green at the top, white in the middle and black at the bottom. In the front, on the left side of the flag passes a red stripe, crossing all the others. Some flags of Arab countries have taken a similar colour scheme, for example Kuwait has the same colours on its flag.

What is the difference between the flag of Dubai and that of the United Arab Emirates? There are only two colours in the flag of Dubai: red and white. The UAE flag also features green and black. The point of commonality is the stripe on the front of the flag, but the flag of Dubai has only one red colour, not three different coloured stripes like the flag of the United Arab Emirates.

Traditions and culture of Dubai

The flag of Dubai is a testament to the culture and traditions of the region. This city has a long history, dating back much further than the extraction of oil and the construction of the tallest building in the world. You can experience the tradition and culture of Dubai on a guided tour of Old Dubai or by visiting the unique Al Shindagh Museum, where you will visit min. The House of Unity, the House of Pearl, or the Al Maktoum Residence, the former royal residence of His Highness Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, former ruler of Dubai. See here the daily life of Dubai residents in the past, their customs, costumes and handicrafts.

Questions and answers (FAQs)

• What does the flag of Dubai look like?

The flag of Dubai is rectangular in shape with a red brava with a white stripe 1/4 the length of the flag in the front left of the flag of the city and emirate of Dubai. Dubai's flag used to be all red, but was changed in 1820 by agreement with Britain to distinguish it from the pirate flag.

• What do the colours of the Dubai flag mean?

The colours of the Dubai flag signify the most important symbols for this city and emirate. Red symbolises the courage of the people and the citizens' self-sacrifice for the nation, while white represents peace, kindness and generosity. In the flag of the United Arab Emirates, there is also the colour green, which stands for hope, optimism and prosperity.

• When is flag day celebrated in Dubai?

In Dubai, flag day is celebrated on 3 November. On the same date, National Flag Day is celebrated throughout the United Arab Emirates. The holiday was established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, during a speech in November 2013 with a call to the nation.

Flag photo source: thenationalnews.com