Iran's Lost Emblem: The Flag Before The 1979 Revolution

For centuries, flags have served as potent symbols, embodying the soul of a nation, its history, and its aspirations. The story of Iran, one of the world's oldest civilizations, is deeply intertwined with its national symbols, particularly its flags. Before the dramatic shifts of 1979, the flag of Iran before revolution stood as a powerful emblem of a rich Persian heritage, a long-standing monarchy, and a distinct national identity. This article delves into the fascinating history and profound symbolism of this iconic banner, exploring its evolution, its core elements, and the legacy it continues to hold for many Iranians today.

From ancient heraldry to the constitutional era, Iran's flags have always been more than mere pieces of cloth; they are visual narratives of a nation's journey. The pre-revolutionary flag, with its distinctive Lion and Sun emblem, represents a significant chapter in this ongoing story, a period of profound cultural and political significance that continues to resonate in contemporary discussions about Iranian identity and history.

Table of Contents

• A Tapestry of Time: Iran's Ancient Heraldry
• The Enduring Symbol: The Lion and Sun Emblem
  • Tracing the Origins: Beyond Dynasties
  • The Symbol's Evolution: From Sunrise to Sword
• The Birth of a Modern National Flag: 1906 Constitutional Revolution
• Decoding the Colors: Green, White, and Red
• The Flag's Role: Symbol of Heritage and Monarchy
• The Crowned Lion: Debates and Historical Depictions
  • Visual Evidence and Historical Records
• The End of an Era: The 1979 Revolution's Impact
  • From Lion and Sun to the Islamic Emblem
• The Legacy of the Pre-Revolutionary Flag

A Tapestry of Time: Iran's Ancient Heraldry

Iran, with its designation as one of the oldest civilizations in the world, boasts a history that stretches back millennia. This profound depth of history is vividly reflected in its national symbols, particularly its flags. Imagery and symbolism are deeply held by Iranians, serving as powerful tools to preserve their rich story and connect with their ancestral past. Indeed, many of the key symbols of Iran are represented in artwork and flags of past ruling empires, demonstrating a continuous thread of cultural identity. Intriguingly, some ancient data even suggests that it was on the territory of Iran that the world’s first flag was created, underscoring the nation's pioneering role in vexillology. This long tradition of symbolic representation laid the groundwork for the development of the flag of Iran before revolution, a banner that encapsulated centuries of history within its design. While often a point of contention in modern discourse, the many flags of Iran undeniably connect Iranians to their ancestry, providing a tangible link to a glorious and complex past.

The Enduring Symbol: The Lion and Sun Emblem

At the heart of the flag of Iran before revolution was the iconic Lion and Sun emblem. This powerful motif, known in Persian as *Shir-o-Khorshid* ([ˌʃeːɾu xʷuɾˈʃeːd]), is one of the main emblems of Iran and has an astonishingly long history. Records indicate that Iran’s lion and sun emblem was displayed on a flag as early as the 15th century, showcasing its deep roots in the nation's visual identity. This emblem was a central element in Iran's national flag until the 1979 revolution, and even today, it is still commonly used by nationalists and opposition groups of the Islamic Republic government, demonstrating its enduring resonance. The symbol's significance extends far beyond any single dynasty, predating many of the ruling houses that adopted it. Its presence on the flag of Iran before revolution underscored a connection to a timeless Persian identity, distinct from the political currents of any specific era.

Tracing the Origins: Beyond Dynasties

It is crucial to understand that the emblem on the old Iranian national flag is a far older symbol than the Qajar dynasty, which officially adopted it. Its origins are deeply embedded in ancient Persian mythology and astronomy. The lion often represents power, royalty, and the sun's strength, while the sun itself is a symbol of the divine, enlightenment, and the ancient Persian deity Mithra. The epic of the Kings, Ferdowsi's monumental work written in the 1100s, which chronicles centuries before the conquest of Islam, refers to the Iranian army or king as marching under a banner with the lion and the sunrise. This historical reference firmly places the symbol's presence in Iranian heraldry long before the more recent dynasties. This ancient lineage imbues the flag of Iran before revolution with a profound sense of historical continuity and cultural depth, making it a powerful representation of Persian identity.

The Symbol's Evolution: From Sunrise to Sword

While the core elements of the lion and sun remained consistent, the emblem underwent subtle evolutions over time. The initial depictions often featured the lion with a rising sun behind it. However, the sword was added to the lion's paw in the 1800s. This addition likely reflected a shift towards a more militaristic or nationalistic interpretation of the symbol, emphasizing the nation's strength and readiness to defend itself. The inclusion of the sword transformed the emblem from a purely celestial and regal representation into one that also conveyed martial prowess and sovereignty. This refined version of the Lion and Sun, with the sword, became the definitive emblem on the flag of Iran before revolution, symbolizing a nation that was both ancient and modern, steeped in tradition yet capable of asserting its power on the world stage.

The Birth of a Modern National Flag: 1906 Constitutional Revolution

The modern iteration of the flag of Iran before revolution, as we generally recognize it, truly began to take shape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While the Lion and Sun emblem had been present for centuries, the specific tricolour design was a more recent development. In the late 19th century, the colors green and red were added as a border to a white flag already bearing those symbols. This marked a significant step towards a standardized national flag. However, it was after the granting of the constitution of 1906 that a tricolour, typical of the national flags of many other countries, was officially recognized for Iran. This pivotal moment, stemming from Iran’s Constitutional Revolution in the year 1906, solidified the design. The fundamental law incorporated on October 7th, 1907, showcased a flag having the sun and lion symbol in the middle, framed by red, white, and green colors. This formal adoption cemented the design that would represent Iran for the next seven decades, becoming the iconic flag of Iran before revolution.

Decoding the Colors: Green, White, and Red

The choice of colors for the flag of Iran before revolution was not arbitrary; each hue carries significant cultural and historical meaning, reflecting various aspects of Iranian identity and aspirations. Let’s start off by focusing on the colours. The green band, typically at the top, is widely interpreted to symbolize growth, happiness, and the lushness of the land. It is also often associated with Islam, representing the faith that plays a central role in Iranian culture. The white band, positioned in the middle, traditionally stands for peace, purity, and freedom. This neutral ground serves as a backdrop for the central emblem, highlighting its importance. Finally, the red band, at the bottom, symbolizes courage, martyrdom, and the sacrifices made for the nation's independence and sovereignty. It represents the valor of the Iranian people throughout their long history. Together, these three colors formed a harmonious visual representation of the nation's values, hopes, and historical struggles, making the flag of Iran before revolution a deeply symbolic artifact.

The Flag's Role: Symbol of Heritage and Monarchy

For decades, the flag of Iran before revolution was more than just a national emblem; it was a powerful symbol of Persian heritage, monarchy, and national identity. It flew proudly over government buildings, adorned military uniforms, and was displayed by citizens during national celebrations. This flag embodied the continuity of a civilization that prided itself on its ancient roots and imperial legacy. The Lion and Sun, combined with the tricolour, projected an image of a sovereign nation with a rich cultural past and a strong, centralized government. It served as a unifying symbol, connecting Iranians across diverse regions and social strata under a shared national narrative. Until the 1979 Iranian Revolution, this flag was inextricably linked with the Pahlavi dynasty, representing its rule and its vision for a modern yet traditional Iran. Its presence was a constant reminder of the established order and the historical lineage that the monarchy claimed to represent.

The Crowned Lion: Debates and Historical Depictions

An interesting detail that often arises in discussions about the flag of Iran before revolution is the presence, or absence, of a crown on the lion's head. Historical documents and photos reveal that the standard flag of Iran did indeed feature a crown atop the lion. This detail is supported by numerous historical documents and images, often leading to discussions among vexillologists and historians. For instance, various versions of the flag show the crowned lion, reinforcing its connection to the monarchical system it represented. The crown explicitly symbolized the imperial authority and the Pahlavi dynasty's rule, distinguishing it from earlier, less formalized versions of the emblem.

Visual Evidence and Historical Records

The historical record, including numerous high-resolution images and official documents, consistently depicts the crowned lion on the flag used by the Pahlavi regime. For example, images like "Flag of Iran before 1979 revolution.png" and other historical records, including those provided by contributors like "pouyajabbarisani" and "fans of kingdom of," clearly show the crown. Debates often arise from different interpretations or older, less standardized versions of the emblem. However, for the official national flag of Iran during the Pahlavi era, the crowned lion was the definitive representation. This specific detail further cemented the flag's role as a symbol of the monarchy, distinguishing it from more generic uses of the Lion and Sun emblem. The crown underscored the flag's connection to the ruling dynasty and its assertion of sovereign power.

The End of an Era: The 1979 Revolution's Impact

The revolutionary events of 1979 marked a dramatic turning point in Iran's history, bringing significant changes to its political landscape and, subsequently, influencing its national symbols. With the establishment of the Islamic Republic, the use of the lion and sun flag was prohibited. This was a deliberate and profound ideological shift, as the new regime sought to distance itself from the monarchical past and establish a new identity rooted in Islamic principles. The old flag, deeply associated with the Pahlavi dynasty and its secularizing policies, was deemed incompatible with the new revolutionary ideals. The prohibition of the flag of Iran before revolution symbolized a complete break from the past, ushering in a new era for the nation.

From Lion and Sun to the Islamic Emblem

Following the revolution, an open call was launched for a new national emblem and flag. The modern version of the flag was adopted in 1980 and designed by artist Hamid Nadimi. This new flag retains the horizontal tricolour of green, white, and red, but with a fundamentally different central emblem. The new national emblem, in red, is centered on the white band, and the *takbir* (the phrase "Allahu Akbar" - God is the greatest) is written in the Kufic script in white, repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band, for a total of 22 times on the fringe of the bands. This intricate design reflects the ideological shift of the new regime, emphasizing Islamic values and revolutionary fervor. Kimia Maleki's exploration of the flag's history, based on an interview with Hamid Nadimi, further illuminates the meaning behind the new emblem and even discusses an emblem that was almost picked, showcasing the thoughtful process behind this significant change. This is what the modern flag of Iran looks like today, currently flying in the streets of Tehran, atop government buildings, and on the uniforms of its military, a stark contrast to the flag of Iran before revolution.

The Legacy of the Pre-Revolutionary Flag

Despite its official prohibition, the flag of Iran before revolution continues to hold significant meaning for many Iranians, particularly those in the diaspora and opposition groups. The lion and sun emblem, though no longer the official state symbol, remains a powerful icon for nationalists and those who identify with Iran's pre-revolutionary heritage. Its continued use by various groups highlights the complex and often contentious nature of Iranian national identity. The flag serves as a visual representation of a historical era, a cultural legacy, and an alternative vision for Iran's future. It is a symbol that connects Iranians to their ancestry, even if it is often a point of contention in contemporary political discourse. The enduring presence of this symbol in public memory and its occasional appearance, such as during controversies at international events like the World Cup, underscore its lasting significance and its role in ongoing debates about Iran's past, present, and future.

Conclusion

The flag of Iran before revolution, with its majestic Lion and Sun emblem and vibrant tricolour, stands as a profound testament to Iran's ancient heritage, its monarchical past, and its evolving national identity. From its ancient roots in Persian mythology to its formal adoption in the early 20th century, this flag symbolized a continuous narrative of power, culture, and national pride for decades. Its eventual prohibition after the 1979 revolution marked a decisive break, yet the legacy of this powerful emblem endures. For many, it remains a cherished symbol of a bygone era, connecting them to a rich history that continues to shape the Iranian consciousness. We hope this exploration of Iran's pre-revolutionary flag has offered you a deeper understanding of its history and profound symbolism. What are your thoughts on how national symbols evolve with political change? Share your insights in the comments below, and feel free to explore our other articles on historical emblems and their significance!