The Flag of Bahrain

Bahrain's flag has evolved significantly over time, with its origins tracing back to the 19th century. Initially, the flag was entirely red, a common color for the flags of Persian Gulf states, symbolizing the Kharijite sect of Islam. In 1820, following a treaty with the United Kingdom, Bahrain began to add a white stripe to its flag to signify peace and its treaty status. The number of points on the serrated line has changed throughout history, originally being 28 and then 8. In 2002, the current design was officially adopted, standardizing the number of points to five, to represent the Five Pillars of Islam. This change was part of a broader national reform and modernization effort.