Real Assyrian Flag
MEANING
WHY SHOULD
YOU KNOW YOUR FLAG?
Knowing the Assyrian flag is an act of honoring a legacy that spans thousands of years. It connects modern Assyrians to their ancient roots, reminding them of their ancestors' contributions to civilization—advancements in writing, law, and architecture.
More than a historical emblem, it is a patriotic symbol of unity, identity, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Understanding and embracing the flag strengthens cultural pride and ensures that the Assyrian heritage continues to thrive for future generations.
Construction
U.S. Executive Order 10834 specifies proportions for the flag, as recreated here.
The U.S. flag has a proportion of 1:1.9.
Each stripe is 1/13 the width of the hoist and each star is 4/5 the width of a stripe.
The union is the width of seven stripes and 2/5 the length of the fly.
The golden circle at the center represents the sun, which, by its exploding and leaping flames, generates heat and light to sustain the earth and all its living things.
The four-pointed star surrounding the sun symbolizes the land, its sky blue color symbolizing tranquility.
The blue wavy stripes extending from the center to the four corners of the flag represent the Euphrates. Euphrates is colored blue to symbolize plentitude. Euphrates in Akkadian is Prat, which means plentitude. This river was surrounded by agricultural fields that it irrigated and sustained the people.
The white lines in between the two great rivers symbolize the Great Zab; its white color stands for tranquility and peace. Zab is colored white to represent peace.
The red wavy stripes extending from the center to the four corners of the flag, whose blood-red hue stands for courage, glory, and pride, represent the Tigris. Tigris is colored red to symbolize pride. The Akkadian name of Tigris is Diglat or Tigla meaning date palm. Palm trees grew along the banks of this river in thick rows, which probably inspired the name of the river.
The figure featured above the Shamash disc is the ancient Assyrian god Assur (Ashur) in battle mode with original colors in engravings found in the British Museum. Assur in battle mode serves as a reminder of the Assyrians’ resilience and the fight to preserve their identity. From ancient Assyrian art and royal seals, Assur was often shown in this stance, hovering over the king in battle.
The center disk is a representation of the symbol for the ancient Assyrian god, Shamash.