Flag of Kuwait

thumb|Flag at the [[Embassy of Kuwait, London]]

The flag of Kuwait () was adopted on 7 September 1961, and officially hoisted 24 November 1961. Before 1961, the flag of Kuwait was red and white, like those of other Arab states of the Persian Gulf at the time, with the field being red and words or charges being written in white. It is the only national flag featuring an acute trapezium.

When the Utub settled in Kuwait, Kuwaiti ships were flying a flag common on the western coast of the Persian Gulf, a red flag with a serrated white ribbon added near the mast, similar to the current Bahrain flag, and was called the Sulaimi flag. This flag was raised in the rule of Sheikh Sabah I bin Jaber in 1752 and was used to 1871.

During the period of Ottoman rule in Kuwait, the Ottoman flag, red with a white crescent and star, was used. This flag was retained after the country became a British protectorate in the Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899.

In 1903, Lord Curzon, the British Viceroy and Governor-General of India visited Kuwait, and Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah received him and raised a red flag with white words, (We trust in God) in Arabic writing. This avoided the diplomatic faux pas, given Kuwait was under British protection, of raising the Ottoman flag.

Two different flag designs were proposed but not adopted in the period after this. The first proposal in 1906, a red flag with white Western letters spelling (KOWEIT) and the second in 1913, the Ottoman flag but the word () in Arabic writing as a canton.

The Ottoman flag kept being used until the First World War, when friendly-fire incidents with the British in 1914 during the Mesopotamian campaign around the river Shatt al-Arab occurred due to Kuwait and the enemy Ottomans both using the same flag. Because of this Kuwait adopted a new flag, red with () in Arabic writing.

Rules and Protocol for Displaying the Kuwaiti Flag

The Law No. 26 of 1961 formally defines the national flag’s design, proportions, and where it may be hoisted, such as government buildings, embassies, private buildings on national occasions. The flag’s length must be twice its width, divided into three horizontal bands with a black trapezium at the hoist.

In addition to these legal definitions, official etiquette and regulations require respectful handling and display of the flag:

Orientation

Horizontally: The green stripe must be on top, followed by white and red, with the black trapezium at the hoist.
Vertically: The black trapezium must be nearest the flagpole, with the stripes properly aligned and colors preserved in order.

Respectful Handling

The flag must be clean, intact, and undamaged.
It should be raised quickly and lowered slowly.
The flag should never touch the ground, be used as clothing or decoration in a disrespectful manner, or be altered with writing, symbols, or drawings.

Proper Use and Occasions

It may only be flown on private buildings during official feasts and ceremonies and must not be used continuously or for commercial or advertising purposes.

Penalties for Misuse

Violations of flag regulations such as displaying a damaged flag, improper hoisting, or unauthorized use may carry fines, imprisonment, or other legal penalties. Recent updates, including Decree‑Law No. 73 of 2025, have further strengthened restrictions to protect the flag’s dignity and national symbolism.

Construction sheet

Standard of the Emir

The current Emir of Kuwait has a personal royal standard, which is the national flag with a yellow crown on the green stripe.

File:Standard of the Emir of Kuwait (1921-1940).svg| Standard of the Emir 1921–1940

File:Standard of the Emir of Kuwait (1940-1956).svg| Standard of the Emir 1940–1956

File:Standard of the Emir of Kuwait (1956-1961).svg| Standard of the Emir 1956–1961

File:Standard of the Emir of Kuwait.svg|Standard of the Emir 1961–present

</gallery>

Historical flags of Kuwait

File:Flag of Kuwait Al-Sulami 1746-1871.svg| 1746–1871 (Al-Sulami flag)

File:Flag of the Ottoman Empire.svg| 1871–1914 (The Ottoman Empire adopted its flag in 1844)

File:Flag of the United Kingdom (1-2).svg| 1899–1961 (Emirate of Kuwait under protectorate of the United Kingdom)

File:Flag of Kuwait (1903).svg| Used between 28–30 November 1903 during the visit of Lord Curzon

File:Flag of Kuwait (1906 proposal).svg| 1906 proposal (not adopted)

File:Flag of Kuwait (1909-1915).svg| 1913 proposal (not adopted)

File:Flag of Kuwait (1914-1921).svg| 1914–1921

File:Flag of Kuwait (Battle of Jahra 1920).svg| Battle flag raised during Battle of Jahra in 1920

File:Flag of Kuwait (1921-1940).svg| 1921–1940

File:Flag of Kuwait (1940-1961).svg| 1940–1961

File:Maritime Ensign of Kuwait 1956-1961.svg| Maritime Ensign 1956–1961 Only used at sea

File:Flag of Iraq (1963–1991).svg|Flag used during the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait (1990)

File:Flag of Kuwait.svg| 1961–present