Afghanistan

Verdict:

Continent:

Asia

Name:

Use:

Proportion:

Adoption:

Pashto: د افغانستان رپی, Dari Persian: پرچم افغانستان

National Flag

2:3

2013

Design

The flag of Afghanistan is one of the most beautiful (yet complex) flags in the world. It features a vertical tricolor of black, red and green with Afghanistan's emblems in the center.

Flag of Afghanistan

Reason for Verdict

Keep It Simple. The flag should be so simple that a child can draw it from memory…
Use Meaningful Symbolism. The flag’s images, colors, or patterns should relate to what it symbolizes…
Use 2 or 3 Basic Colors. Limit the number of colors on the flag to three which contrast well and come from the standard color set…
No Lettering or Seals. Never use writing on any kind or an organization’s seal…
Be Distinctive or Be Related. Avoid duplicating other flags, but use similarities to show connections…

Detailed Explanation

The complex nature of the flag is unfortunately a drawback of this country's flag. It's a very well designed flag, but the emblem is simply to complicated for anyone to draw accurately.
The black is said to symbolize the country's dark past, the red is for the blood of those who fought for Afghanistan and the green stands for hope, freedom (from British influence) and islam, the country's national religion. The national emblem features a mosque in the center (being one of only five flags to feature a building), with a minbar (a pulpit) and a mihrab, a type of wall decoration meant show the direction of Mecca. Beside the mosque are to two afghani-flags and below is an inscription with the name Afghanistan written in arabic, as well as the year 1298 (1919) which is when the country gained independence from British influence. Around the mosque there's sheaves of wheat with the muslim creed at the top of the emblem.
Lettering and seals are featured on the flag, which makes it look very busy from a distance
The country features green, a common trend among muslim countries, but the vertical tricolor design makes it unique among others.