In 2009, the Kurdistan Region Parliament declared December 17 to mark the Kurdish national flag day since it was first officially used by the Republic of Kurdistan known as the Republic of Mahabad on December 17, 1946.

The National Flag of Kurdistan was first introduced at the Paris Peace Conference in 1920 by the early leaders of the Kurdish nationalist movement, Khoyboun.

Ever since the early 20th century, the Kurdistan flag has been a symbol of great national pride for Kurds in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, and worldwide.

Design of the Kurdistan Flag

The format of the modern Kurdish flag was designed by Dr. Mehrdad Izady, comprising a tricolor background, and a centrally placed sun disk. The colors of the flag, from top to bottom, are red, white, and green. The yellow sun disk at the center has 21 rays, equal in size and shape. (ILKHA)