24 Oct All You Need To Know About UAE Flag Day
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All You Need To Know About UAE Flag Day.
The UAE flag is a source of pride and loyalty for Emirati locals and expatriates. It gives one a unique sense of belonging as we remember the good deeds of our founding fathers. This explains why you will see most people with flags on UAE Flag Day.
The flag’s position in the life and culture of the Emirati people is unquestionable. It is a powerful symbol of national unity.
Comprising of three colours – black, white, red, and green – the UAE flag colours are a representation of hope, love, honesty, and courage. It was designed in 1971 by Abdullah Al Maainah after taking on the challenge to design the flag as advertised in the Al Ittihad newspaper. The 19-year old won the competition. This is a representation of how our nation was built upon the determination and resilience of a youthful generation.
The flag has serious laws governing it. You cannot just treat it as you do with your clothes or any other material object. Even the material used to make it is controlled as all flags must be made from nylon and must not be lower than 122.4 grams/square kilogram.
Furthermore, the flag must be inspected every 45 days. You cannot own it for more than six months without changing. The purpose of these rules is to ensure that the flag does not look worn out.
As you ponder the laws governing the UAE flag, here is all that you need to know about Flag Day.
#1: The story behind the design of the UAE flag
As you look forward to walking around with the flag with pride, you might want to take a second to think about the flag’s designer. When Abdullah Mohammad first came up with the design, he had no idea that it would be picked as the UAE flag and hoisted high above all over the states.
A total of 1,030 entries had been nominated, but most of these were in black and white. Abdullah Mohammad Al Maainah could not see the green and red colours which he felt had a meaning in the lives of Emirati people. His reason for these colours was to showcase Arab unity.
When his design was selected as the ultimate winner, he was none the wiser. Nobody contacted him on the 2nd of December 1971 when the first was raised at the Union House in Dubai and a second at the palace in the capital.
According to Mr. Al Maainah, he was not aware that his flag had been selected until he went to Mushrif Palace and peeked via the fence. “The day was calm, so I waited for a couple of minutes until I could clearly see that the flag on the pole is mine.”
The now 59-year old ambassador to Chile says that describing his feeling at that very moment is beyond measure. It took a couple of months before he was informed that his flag had won. He was thanked and awarded 4,000 riyals since the dirham had not yet been established at that time.
#2: The four colours of the flag.
The UAE Flag is made up of four colours. These are red, green, black, and white. Each of these colours is symbolic in nature.
Red – Just like blood is red; this colour is a representation of the sacrifices that our founding fathers made (including shedding blood) to give us the nation that we enjoy today. They were eager to keep the UAE safe, safeguarding its achievements and gains. When you see red, you need to visualize hardiness, courage, strength, and bravery.
Green – Trees and most vegetation are normally green in colour. When you’re surrounded by so much green, you know that the future is bright. That is exactly what inspired Mr. Al Maainah to include this colour in the flag. It is a portrayal of joy, hope, love, and optimism. One may also look at it as signalling the prosperity that the country has experienced over the years.
White – When someone waves a white flag, it means they are seeking peace. Similarly, the white colour in the UAE flag shows peace and honesty. It is the purest colour, and some people normally interpret it as meaning cleanliness. This is a perfect colour choice given that the UAE is widely known for its charitable contributions and desire to contribute to the peace of the country.
Black – Most people normally think that black represents oil, which is not true. It is a representation of the strength of mind cherished by Emirati people. Out of this strength, the country has been able to defeat enemies. When the people come together to hoist the flag higher and sing the national anthem; this unity is portrayed clearly.
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#3: UAE flag emblem and the falcon.
Designed by an Emirati girl by the name Dhabiya Khamis, the United Arab Emirati emblem resembles the emblems and coat of arms used by the region’s states. It is made up of a golden falcon and a disk in the middle. There are also seven stars which stand for the seven Emirates.
Originally designed in 1973, the emblem was officially adopted in 2008. Before it was adopted, it was modified. The falcon consisted of a red disk with an Arab sailboat at the centre. This was surrounded by a chain.
As you might have noticed by now, the golden falcon is prominently featured on the emblem. This signals the great importance that Emiratis attach to the bird. This recognition for the bird is justly earned, considering its use as a hunting guide in the desert.
The falcon has also been a part of major social activities in the country, besides its economic significance. A sport has even been developed around the idea of Falconry. Today, it is common to find young men spending time with birds as they train and bond with them.
The nation’s young generation even meet in the evening to exchange ideas on the best way to go about training raptors. This kind of get-together is important as it fosters the spirit of camaraderie and sense of belonging.
#4: Avoid mishandling the flag on flag day.
Do not mishandle the flag on UAE Flag Day or any other day for that matter or else you will find yourself on the wrong side of the law. There is a specific law against doing so. This law accords a punishment of up to six months in prison and a fine of 1,000 dirhams for anyone caught mishandling the flag.
There are so many ways in which the flag could be mishandled. These include publicly damaging, dropping, or insulting it in any other manner.
To be on the safer side, you should consider the following when handling the UAE flag:
- Do not let the flag touch the ground.
- Don’t fly the flag in the dark.
- Never hang the flag upside down.
- If you have two flags on a pole, the UAE flag must be at the top.
- If you have multiple flags on several poles, let the UAE flag be on the tallest pole if there is one that’s taller than the rest.
- Do not raise the flag in bad weather as this increases chances of spoiling.
Remember that treating the UAE flag with respect is equivalent to respecting those who sacrificed so much to earn the pride it instils.
#5: is flag day that important?
If you are from a place where there is nothing like Flag Day, you might be wondering whether or not celebrating such a day is really that important.
Well, the UAE Flag Day is crucial and worth the celebration. It is important because it allows the Emirati people to recall the efforts made by founders, Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid, and their brothers. Throughout the day, the national spirit is renewed. The whole nation reflects on the advances that it has made since its birth.
#6: Look forward to a free flag.
Last year, 5,000 national flags were handed out, allowing UAE residents the opportunity to display their solidarity proudly. The same might likely happen this year, so be sure to keep an eye peeled to avoid missing out.
Even if you miss out, you shouldn’t have any trouble purchasing your own flag. A decent quality flag will only set you back by several thousand dirhams. Purchasing and displaying a UAE flag will be a great way to show your respect for the country and share in its culture.
#7: Different ways to use the flag.
There is guidance on how the UAE flag should be used. Some might want to use it vertically, horizontally, anchored, or in movement.
Horizontal – For those who mount the flag horizontally, be sure to put the red stripe on the left-hand side. This should be closer to the pole, of which the green stripe will be on the top.
Vertical – The flag mounted in a vertical position must have the red stripe at the top and the green stripe on the right.
Anchored – A docked flag is supposed to be at the back of the ship from sunrise until sunset.
Movement – If you mount the flag on a moving ship, this should be in the middle of the ship and will remain as such until the ship completes its journey.
Conclusion.
The UAE Flag is, without a doubt, central in the lives of Emiratis. Celebrating Flag Day is for that reason an important occasion. Be sure to celebrate the day in such a manner that honours and respects the flag’s meaning.