List of Afghan flags

This is a list of flags associated with Afghanistan.

National flag

Flag Date Use Description
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (ruling government)
15 August 2021 – present National flag The Arabic Shahada in black on a white field in the calligraphic Thuluth script.
The Arabic Shahada and "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" in Pashto in black on a white field in the calligraphic Thuluth script.
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (internationally-recognized former government)
19 August 2013 – present National flag Three vertical bands of black, red, and green with the national emblem in white, centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the black and green bands.

Standards of the head of state

Flag Date Use Description
Former
2004–2021 Standard of the President of Afghanistan under Ashraf Ghani and Hamid Karzai. A black flag with a red circle with a white contour drawing of the national emblem in 2004 version.
2004 A black flag with a red circle with a white contour drawing of the national emblem in 1990s version.
1974–1978 Standard of the President of Afghanistan under Mohammad Daoud Khan. A red flag with a black circle with a red drawing of the national emblem.
1933–1973 Standard of the King of Afghanistan under Mohammad Zahir Shah (obverse and reverse). National emblem on a red background on the obverse and royal tughra on the reverse.
1931–1933 Standard of the King of Afghanistan under Mohammad Nadir Shah (obverse and reverse).
1926–1929 Standard of the King of Afghanistan under Amanullah Khan (obverse and reverse). Amanullah Khan's emblem on a red background on the obverse and royal tughra on the reverse. The emblem consists of two crossed swords, a headdress called kolah and a star, and all these elements were removed from the national emblem around the coronation of Amarullah as the first king of Afghanistan.

Loya jirga/Majlis

Flag Date Use Description
Former
2003 Flag of the 2003 loya jirga. White flag with emblem. In the green border there are three silhouettes of human heads, turned to the right and imitating the Afghan national colors. Above the profiles is the Arabic Shahada in black, while below is an open book. The profiles are surrounded by a wreath of wheat ears taken from the national emblem.

Military flags

Flag Date Use Description
Current
2021–present Flag of the Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan White flag with the emblem of the Ministry of Defense.
Former
?–2021 Flag of the Ministry of Defense of Afghanistan Red flag with the emblem of the Ministry of Defense in a monochrome gold version.
2015–2021 Flag of the Resolute Support Mission A green flag with the official mission logo.
2001–2014 Flags of the International Security Assistance Force A green flag with the official mission logo.
A white flag with the official mission logo.

Army

Flag Date Use Description
Current
2021–present Flag of the Afghan Army
Former
1987–1992 Flag of the Afghan Army
1974–1980
c. 1961—?
?–1973
1920s
?–1973 Flag of the royal guard

Air Force

Flag Date Use Description
Current
2021–present Flag of the Afghan Air Force[1]
2021–2025
Former
?–2021 Flag of the Afghan Air Force

Law enforcement

Police

Flag Date Use Description
Current
Link to file 2021–present Flag of the Afghan National Police Blue background with the police emblem on it.
Former
2001–2021 Flag of the Afghan National Police Blue background with the police emblem on it.

Customs Department

Flag Date Use Description
Current
Link to file c 2024–present Flag of the Afghanistan Customs Department
Former
2021–c 2024 Flag of the Customs service of Afghanistan
?–2021

Supreme Audit Office

Flag Date Use Description
2020–present Flag of the Supreme Audit Office of Afghanistan

Ministries

Flag Date Use Description
Current
Link to file 2021–present Flag of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Link to file c 2024–present Flag of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Afghan Ministry of Economy
2021–present Flag of the Ministry of Education[2][3]
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Afghan Ministry of Energy and Water
Link to file c 2021–present Flag of the Ministry of Finance
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Higher Education
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Information and Culture
Link to file c 2021–present Flag of the Ministry of Justice
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Affairs
Link to file 2021–present Flag of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum
Link to file 2021–present Flag of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice
Link to file 2021–present Flag of the Ministry of Public Health
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Public Works
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Refugee and Repatriation
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation
Link to file ?–present Flag of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing
Former
?–2021 Flag of the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock[4]
Link to file ?–2024 Flag of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
Link to file ?–2021 Flag of the Ministry of Justice
?–2021 Flag of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing[5]

Olympic Committee

Flag Date Use Description
Current
2021–present? Flag of the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan A white flag with the Republic's tricolor flag, the inscription "Afghanistan", and the Olympic rings.
Former
2001–2021 Flag of the National Olympic Committee of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan A white flag with the Olympic rings and inscription "National Olympic Committee of Afghanistan".
1930s Flag of the National Olympic Committee of the Kingdom of Afghanistan A flag of unknown colors used at the Berlin Olympics contains a kolah and Olympic rings.

Historical flags

Flag Date Use Description
National flags
2002–2004 Flag of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Twenty-sixth flag (2002–2004)
2001–2002 Flag of the Islamic State of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Twenty-fourth flag (2001–2002)
1997–2001 Flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (variant) Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Twenty-third flag (1997–2001)
1996–1997 Flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Twenty-second flag (1996–1997)
1992–2001 Flag of the Islamic State of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Twenty-first flag (1992–2002)
1992 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Twentieth flag (1992)
1987–1992 Flag of the Republic of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Nineteenth flag (1987–1992)
1980–1987 Flag of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Eighteenth flag (1980–1987)
1978–1980 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Seventeenth flag (1978–1980)
1978 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Sixteenth flag (1978)
1974–1978 Flag of the Republic of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Fifteenth flag (1974–1978)
1973–1974 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Fourteenth flag (1973–1974)
1931–1973 Flag of the Kingdom of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Thirteenth flag (1930–1973))
1929–1931 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Twelfth flag (1929–1931)
1929 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Eleventh flag (1929)
1929 Flag of the Emirate of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Tenth flag (1929–1931)
1929–1931 Flag of the Emirate of Afghanistan, used in Herat
1929 Flag of the Kingdom of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Ninth flag (1929)
1929 and 1926–1928 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Fifth flag (1926–1928)
1928–1929 Flag of the Kingdom of Afghanistan (possible appearance) Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Seventh flag (1928–1929))
1928 Flag of the Kingdom of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Sixth flag (1928)
1921–1926/29 Flag of the Emirate of Afghanistan Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Fourth flag (1921–1926/29)
1919–1921 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Third flag (1919–1921/29)
1901–1919 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Second flag (1901–1919)
1880–1901 Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Black Standard in central Asia and the first flag
1709–1738 Flag of the Hotak dynasty
1818–1856 Flag of the Principality of Kandahar
1747–1801, 1803–1809, 1839–1842 Flag of the Durrani Empire
1801–1803, 1809–1818
1818–1823 Flag of the Herat State Main article: Flag of Afghanistan § Herat flag (1818–1842)
Subnational flags
1996 Flag of the Islamic Emirate of Badakhshan
1991 Flag of the Islamic Emirate of Kunar
Other
c. 1842 Pashtun banner captured at Jellalabad An example of a Pashtun tribal battle flag. A red triangular banner with the Shahada and a green border; woven red and yellow fringes were also present on the edges.[6]
c. 1839 Pashtun banner captured at Ghazni An example of a Pashtun tribal battle flag. Written are the names of the first four caliphs placed opposite each other (Abu Bakr أَبُو بَكْرٍ, ‘Umar عُمَر, Uthman عُثْمَان, and Ali عَلِيّ).[6]

Political flags

Political parties flags

Flag Date Use Description
Current
2005–? Flag of Hezbollah Afghanistan Green field with yellow Arabic calligraphy arranged in an arc. The inscription "In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful". Under the arc is also the name of the organization written in white.
2004–present Flag of the Communist (Maoist) Party of Afghanistan Red flag with a yellow star in the canton.
2004–present Flag of the People's Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan
Link to file 2003–present Flag of the National United Party of Afghanistan Party emblem on blue background.
1997–present Flag of the Watan Party of Afghanistan Party emblem on blue background.
Link to file 1992–present Flag of National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan National flag from 1974–1978 with the party emblem instead of the national emblem
1989–present Flag of Hezbe Wahdat Party emblem on blue background.
1979–present Flag of the National Islamic Front of Afghanistan A black flag with a gold emblem in the canton. The emblem consists of crossed swords, a wreath of wheat, and the Takbir.
1972–present Flag of Jamiat-e Islami Green flag with a white emblem.
1976–present Flag of Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin Green flag with a white emblem. The emblem contains many symbols of the national emblem, including an open Quran. There is also the Shahada under the emblem.
Former
1975–1979 Flag of Hezbi Islami Green flag with a white emblem. The emblem contains many symbols of the national emblem, including an open Quran.
1965–1992 Flag of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan Red flag with gold party emblem in the canton. The emblem consists of an ear of wheat superimposed on a gear wheel, symbolizing farmers and workers. Another variant of the party's flag briefly served as the national flag.
Flag of the Democratic Youth Organisation of Afghanistan A red flag with the emblem moved towards the mast. The emblem consisted of PDPA symbols, a clenched fist, schematic mountains, and a red star.

Rebel groups flags

This table does not include flags derived from rebels that became national flags. Such cases occurred once during the Saqqawists period in 1929 and twice in connection with the Taliban takeovers in 1996 and 2021.

Flag Date Use Description
Current
2021–present Flag of the National Resistance Front A variant of the 1990s flag used by Northern Alliance.
?–present Flag of the Afghan United Front A modified Daoud Republic-era eagle on a dark background.
2022 Flag of the Southern Turkestan Movement Red-blue-green tricolor with the white crescent moon and a star on a blue stripe. The star and crescent resembles the Kök Bayraq flag.
2015–present Flag used by the Islamic State – Khorasan Province and pro IS Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan factions The flag consists of the Black Standard with white text of the first part of the Shahada emblazoned across the top and the second part of the shahada in the form of a depiction of the supposedly historical seal of Muhammad.
2014 Flag of the Hazarajat Freedom Movement Two-color white and blue flag divided at 1/3 of its length from the hoist with a wavy pattern.
2006–present Flag of Jamaat Ansarullah
1988–present Flag of the Turkistan Islamic Party White text of the Shahada above a white crescent moon and a star on a blue background. The star and crescent comes from the Kök Bayraq flag, while the Shahada symbolizes Islam.
1979–present Flag used by the Sacrifice Front (2013–present), Al-Qaeda (1988–present), Jamaat al-Dawah ila al-Quran wal-Sunnah (1986–present), Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (1998–2015), Maktab al-Khidamat (1984–1988) and the Afghan mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War The flag consists of the Black Standard with white text of the Shahada emblazoned across it in calligraphy style writing.
Link to file 1970s–present Flag of the Afghanistan Liberation Organization A red flag with three raised hands, holding a hammer, a sickle, and a gun respectively.
Former
1916–1934 Flag of the Basmachi movement Red and white horizontal stripes, on the hoist side there is an orange rectangle with a white crescent moon and five-pointed star.
1979 Flag associated with the Herat uprising A green flag with a white Takbir inscription.
Link to file 1987–1989 Flag of Hezbollah was used by several factions of Tehran Eight
1996–2026 Flag of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi The flag is divided into two horizontal sections, where the upper section consists of six equal horizontal white and black stripes. The lower section is red and has a black and white Arabic inscription "We will destroy the kuffar". Below the writing is a stylized sword.

Other

Flag Date Use Description
2014 Proposed flag of Khorosan[7] Yellow-red-violet horizontal tricolor with the inscription "new Khorosan".

Ethnic groups flags

Flag Date Use Description
2020–present Flag of Hazaristan Blue-white-yellow horizontal tricolor; the colors symbolizes the Hazara people's roots and origin, sky, their loyalty, long winter in Hazaristan, their future and development
1947–present Flag of Pashtunistan
?–present Flag of Pashayi people

See also

References

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  1. ↑ Oryx. "One Year On: The Taliban Air Force". Oryx. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Javaid, Osama Bin. "A day with the Taliban 2.0". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Afghanistan - Ministry of Education". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, Afghanistan". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Afghanistan - Ministry of Urban Development and Land". www.crwflags.com. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  6. 1 2 madguru. "Afghan Military Flags | Maiwand Day". Retrieved 16 July 2026.
  7. ↑ 1 (27 April 2014). "خراسانیان آزاده، فصل بیرق سوزان است!". Kabul Press (in Persian). Retrieved 15 July 2026. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)


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