Last modified: 2016-01-21 by pete loeser
Keywords: ufe | unidentified flags | 2013 |
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Below is a series of images of flags that have been provided to FOTW; some we have recognized, and some we have been unable to recognize. If you can help us identify any of these flags, please let us know! Contact the: UFE Editor.
Identification Key:
= Positive ID (Positive Identification)
= Tentative ID (Tentative Identification)
= Some Speculation Some Speculation
Image from Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
I've found this Iranian UFE from this picture taken on 1393-7-9 (Persian calendar) which belongs to this picture gallery. When I translate it, the following title comes: "World Assembly of Clerks Roqiyeh (R) Bint Al Hussein" Does anybodoy know if it's indeed a flag and what it stands for?
Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
Ruqayyah bint Husayn (transcriptions vary) was a young daughter of Imam Husayn ibn Ali who was present with him at the Battle of Karbila. For the Shi'ites, it is all very moving. What does the inscription in the circle on the flag say?
John Ayer, 3 January 2015
Positive ID
Image from Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
In this picture
from this source taken back in 2010, the green flag in the middle with red lettering is unidentified. Could it possibly be government related?
Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
It reads as "Ya Hussein", but I have no idea what it does mean.
Zoltan Horvath, 30 November 2014
May be something to do with "Ya Hussain"
Dirk Schönberger, 30 November 2014
It seems to be a religious prayer: "Ya Hussain is an Arabic phrase used by Shia Muslims to invoke the memory or intervention of Hussain ibn Ali. It is especially used in the context of the Mourning of Muharram."
I've also seen the following variants: Black background with red letters on Brian J. McMorrow Galleries and
White background with red letters on Ya Hussain Flag.
The explanation of the Iran Islam Shia Ya Husain Religious, Political and Military Flag is as follows: The inscript on the flag reads YA HUSAIN. He was the 3rd Imam of all Shia who was martyred in Karbala, Iraq, centuries ago and is a symbol for all Shias to raise against the Oppressors. The wording above YA HUSAIN is the Famous Hadith of Prophet Muhammad that reads: INNA-HUSAIN mISBAHUL-HUDA WA SAFINATUN-NAJAT that means "Husain is the Lighthouse of Islamic Guidance for the lost ships and the Rescue ship." Such flags are mostly used by Shia Political & Military Groups in Iran and Lebanon."
Source: Mecollectibles.com.
Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
Not quite sure if it is a religious phrase. Mourning of Muharram was the day Hussain was murdered (some kind of genesis story of Shiite vs. Sunnite muslims). Basically it means something like "Remember Hussein" (and forever don't be friend with his murderers). The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and a Shia Imam, was killed by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid I at Karbala. Source: wikipedia "Mourning of Muharram".
Dirk Schönberger, 30 November 2014
Some Speculation
Image from Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
Can anybody identify this flag from this source. When I translate it it says "Vice President of Science and Technolgy".
Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
Speculative image from Zoltan Horvath, 7 December 2014
I created its flag image. The upper inscription is "Presidency of the Republic" and the lower one means: "Vice [Presidency] for Science, Technology and Innovation". I think it's definitely not a rank flag but an organizational one.
Zoltan Horvath, 7 December 2014
#81a
#81b
#81c
#81d
Images from Esteban Rivera, 3 December 2014
On this al Jazeera's news report broadcasted today you can see a flag with several symbols of being Kurdish (if not supportive of a particular group, i.e. PKK, or the Kurdish Regional Government).
- Image #81a - a square flag, split into four equal areas where a red five-pointed star in the middle, with other colors related to Kurdish symbols (yellow and green), as seen on 1:27.
- Image #81b - a horizontal red flag, , with other colors related to Kurdish symbols (yellow and green), as seen on 1:29 onwards.
- Image #81c - a horizontal red flag, with other colors related to Kurdish symbols (yellow and green), as seen on 1:29 onwards.
- Image #81d - a horizontal red flag, , with other colors related to Kurdish symbols (yellow and green), as seen on 1:29 onwards.
I guess the second flag (#81b) is probably (and most likely) that of the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons.
"The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (Teyrêênbazê Azadiya Kurdistan, TAK), also known as the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks, is a militant group that has committed attacks throughout Turkey, operating in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq with a goal of securing Kurdish secession from Turkey. It is unclear whether or not TAK is connected to any other Kurdish nationalist organizations, though it is believed they split off from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) when they became dissatisfied with the group's tactics. The group was established on July 29, 2004. The group goes by other names including, but not limited to Kurdish Vengeance Brigade, Kurdistan Freedom Falcons Organization,Kurdistan Liberation Hawks."
Its flag is a red horizontal flag, with the logo in the middle, having the five-pointed red star inside a yellow sun, with the name Teyrênbazê Azadiya Kurdistan (in Turk) in green letters.
Esteban Rivera, 3 December 2014
Image from Steve Blast, 8 December 2014
I hoping you might be able to assist me on identifying this symbol, if you have ever seen it before, or know any specific organization that uses it. Any information on this symbol would be apreciated to make sure its not from some "Nationalist Socialist (Skinhead) movement, but rather some other strain of political socialism or communist group. Can you possibly assist me in finding out what this symbol means?
Steve Blast, 8 December 2014
I don't recognise this particular symbol, although the design of it certainly looks like many of the Socialist Rose designs, and the colours are reminiscent of Germany or possibly Belgium. Where did you see it? Any clue as to nationality?
Rob Raiside, 8 December 2014
One Tentative ID
Image from Jaume Ollé, 8 December 2014
When I visited the Blue Mosquee I can took a photo with the Turkey flag and two Unknown flags below it. Any ideas?
Jaume Ollé, 8 December 2014
For me, the second one on the right looks like a variant of the flag of Istanbul.
Olivier Touzeau, 9 December 2018
Positive ID
Images from Jaume Ollé, 9 December 2014
These photos shaow three flags: the Red Cross, Greece, and an unknown flag with horizontal light blue-yellow-light blue stripes, with perhaps has a seal in center. Any ideas?
Jaume Ollé, 9 December 2014
Since Jaumá was the one that went to Athens, I would like to know where the flags in the photo were at, that is, a specific location, building or landmark that we can look for additional information.
Esteban Rivera, 13 December 2014
Both in Athens, but I'm unable to read any indication because all are in greek and furthermore I was in a bus. The other flag (probably B-W-Y-W-B) might be the Research and Informatics Corps.
Jaume Ollé, 13 December 2014
Image by Jens Pattke, 3 January 2015
This is the flag of the Special Supply Center Army Units (EKEMS) - Ειδικó Κεντρο Εφοδιασμοú Μοváδωv Στρατοú (ΕΚΕΜΣ). Credits and identification by Apostolos Gkadris.
Jens Pattke, 3 January 2015
Positive ID
Image from Jaume Ollé, 9 December 2014
Two unknown flags, probably military, seen in Athens, frame the Greek Flag. The first photo of gives the context of the shot, with a inscription that can give a reference, and the second photo is an detail of the flags.
Jaume Ollé, 9 December 2014
Since Jaumá was the one that went to Athens, I would like to know where this photo was taken, that is, a specific location, building or landmark that we can look for additional information.
Esteban Rivera, 13 December 2014
Both in Athens, but I'm unable to read any indication because all are in greek and furthermore I was in a bus. The 1st (Y-W-R-W-Y) appears a military flag and might be the flag of the Medical Corps.
Jaume Ollé, 13 December 2014
The inscription is ΓENIKO NOƩOKOMEIO AƏHNΩN (General Hospital of Athens). The yellow flag looks like a flag of a state agency, authority or ministery. In the context of a hospital it thus has a reference to health. Perhaps Ministry of Health?
Jens Pattke, 14 December 2014
Image by Jens Pattke, 3 January 2015
This is the flag of Unit 401 of the General Military Hospital of Athens (GSNA) - Γεvικó Στρατιωτικó Νoσoκoμεío Αθηvωv (ΓΣΝΑ). Credits and identification by Apostolos Gkadris.
Jens Pattke, 3 January 2015
Some Speculation
Image from Sean Murphy, 9 December 2014
[Image cropped and flipped to put it into a more conventional orientation]
I'm trying to research a flag I've have for a very long time. It came from southern Ontario, likely Norfolk County, and Dominion Regalia couldn't determine for me what it was. I've had it 40 years, approximately, and I have no idea how long my uncle had it before me. Any advice you can give me on this is much appreciated.
Sean Murphy, 9 December 2014
I don't recognise this flag but the overall design looks vaguely nautical to me. I wonder if it might be the flag of a shipping line, although it is not one we currently list on FOTW.
Rob Raeside, 10 December 2014
Given the age of the flag, there is the possibility that it was created as one of the proposals for a new Canadian flag. If so, the ten red stripes (six horizontal and four vertical) probably represent the ten provinces of Canada and possibly the four vertical ones were intended to represent the Maritime Provinces.
Ernest Cline, 16 July 2015
Positive ID
Image from RM Walsh, 20 December 2014
This Flag appeared on the cover of the Magazine Vogue Bambini earlier in 2014. What is it?
RM Walsh, 20 December 2014
UFE14-87 is from the June 2014 issue of Vogue Bambini magazine. It seems that it is a rendering of a fictional flag prepared just for the photoshoot of some children's clothing. Here's a better image of the front cover of the magazine. Source: Vogue Bambini magazine.
Esteban Rivera, 29 December 2014
Quite a complex design. Fantasy medieval? Well, it's a recent issue, and they apparently are able to understand English as well. Poster might try identification method #1.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 30 December 2014
