National Flag of the Kingdom of Bahrain (2002)

In 1820, a General Treaty was signed between Great Britain and some of the Persian Gulf States, including Bahrain. 

The treaty was part of Britain's solution to eradicating piracy in the region and stated that: "the friendly Arabs shall carry by land and sea a red flag, with or without letters on it, at their option, and this shall be in a border of white ........."

A serrated edge was introduced between the red and white fields in 1933. 

Although independent, Bahrain agreed for many years that Great Britain would conduct its foreign affairs. This came to an end in the 1970s when Bahrain resumed responsibility for its own foreign affairs. 

In a royal decree issued on the 18th of February 2002, the Bahrain Emir, now King, stated that the national flag of the Kingdom of Bahrain had been 'codified' to show a serration of 5 teeth (reduced from 8) separating the red and white parts of the flag.

The current flag dates from the 14th of February 2002.

The Symbolic Meaning

Red represents the original banner of the Kharijite Muslim sect who live along the Gulf Coast of
the Arabian Peninsula.  

White is still used on the hoist of the flag, originally having been included in accordance with the details outlined in the General Treaty. White was symbolic of peace and the truce between the signatories.  

The serrated edge between the red and white was adopted in 1933 to distinguish Bahrain from other states in the region.

The five teeth symbolise the five commandments or pillars of Islam