The Secret History Behind Lebanon's Flag
Lebanon's flag is built around a tree that has been a symbol of the land for thousands of years.
The cedar of Lebanon appears in ancient texts and was already a symbol of the land centuries ago. It became the center of the national flag during the French mandate, and the flag was adopted on December 7, 1943, shortly after the country's independence.
The two red stripes are commonly read as the blood shed for independence, and the white band as peace and the snow on the mountains. The green cedar stands for immortality and resilience.
The white band is twice as tall as each red one, and the tree touches both red stripes.
The date printed on every Lebanon design in our catalog, November 22, 1943, is Independence Day, still celebrated every year.
A tree older than the country that carries its name.
Looking for a gift with a story? See our heritage gift guide, or read the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Stories page.