If you spend time in KSA in early March, you may notice more green flags appearing across streets, buildings, and public spaces. That’s because Saudi Flag Day is celebrated every year on March 11, a national occasion dedicated to the Kingdom’s flag and the story behind it.
Saudi Flag Day is a relatively recent national observance. It was officially introduced in 2023 to highlight the history and meaning of the national flag.
March 11 marks the day in 1937 when King Abdulaziz Al Saud approved the official design of the Saudi national flag, corresponding to 27 Dhu Al Hijja 1355 in the Islamic calendar.
Over time, its design was refined to standardize details such as the proportions, the style of the Arabic calligraphy, and the shape and placement of the sword beneath the inscription. The modern version used today has been in place since 1973.
Here are the main elements featured on the Saudi national flag:
- The inscription at the center reads: “There is no deity but God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God”
- Beneath it is a sword pointing from right to left. The sword represents dignity, strength, and justice
- Green background, a color strongly associated with Islam. The official shade used for the flag is Pantone 330
Because the flag carries a religious declaration, it is treated with particular respect. One notable difference from many other national flags is that the Saudi flag is never lowered to half-mast, even during periods of mourning.
If you’re interested in the important events that shaped the Kingdom’s history, you can also read about Saudi Founding Day. This national occasion looks back at the origins of the first Saudi state in Diriyah, a historic area known for its distinctive mud-brick architecture. In fact, in April 2025, Pantone introduced a color called Diriyah Tan, inspired by the warm earthy tones of these traditional buildings.
