The Secret History Behind Tunisia's Flag
Tunisia's flag has been red, with a white disc and a crescent and star, for almost two centuries.
Its roots go back to the 19th century, under the Husainid rulers, and the Tunisian government states that the flag was adopted in 1831. It was recognized in the Constitution of June 1, 1959, and the current version was adopted on July 3, 1999. The crescent and star recall the Ottoman flag, a sign of the country's historic ties.
The red stands for the sacrifice of the martyrs who fought foreign rule. The white disc is read as the sun, and the crescent and five-pointed star are Islamic symbols, with the five points recalling its five pillars.
The date printed on every Tunisia design in our catalog, March 20, 1956, is Independence Day, when France recognized Tunisian independence.
A red field and a white disc that have survived since the 1800s.
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.