The national flag of Lebanon (Arabic: العلم الوطني للجمهورية اللبنانية) is formed of two horizontal red stripes enveloping a horizontal white stripe. The white stripe is twice the height (width) of the red ones (ratio 1:2:1) – a Spanish fess. The green cedar tree (Cedrus libani) in the middle touches each of the red stripes and its width is one third of the width of the flag.

The red stripes represent the blood shed by those who fought for Lebanon. The white stripe represents purity, peace and the snow-capped mountains of Lebanon. The cedar on the flag represents immortality and hope.

According to the Article 5 of the Constitution of Lebanon: "The Lebanese flag shall be composed of three horizontal stripes, a white stripe between two red ones. The width of the white stripe shall be equal to that of both red stripes. In the center of and occupying one third of the white stripe is a green Cedar tree with its top touching the upper red stripe and its base touching the lower red stripe."^[1]

Prior to 1995, the constitution did not specify the color of the cedar tree, and it was common to see a brown trunk as depicted in the original drawing. Similar brown-trunk variants were registered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and on official postcards of United Nations with member state flags. In 1995 the Constitution was amended to specify the color (green) of the whole cedar tree.^[2]

The Lebanese flag's design is deeply rooted in the country's history, culture, and natural heritage, with the cedar tree (Cedrus libani) at its heart. The cedar has been a symbol of Lebanon for millennia, representing resilience, immortality, and unity. Its inclusion on the flag reflects Lebanon's identity as the "Land of the Cedars".

The cedar of Lebanon holds a prominent place in history and religious texts. It is mentioned 77 times in the Bible, often symbolizing strength, majesty, and divine blessing.^[3][4][5] In Psalms 92:12, it is written, "[t]he righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon", and in Psalms 104:16, "[t]he trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted". The cedar's wood, known for its durability and resistance to pests, was used to build sacred structures, including Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.^[6]

The cedar has inspired poets, writers, and political leaders. Alphonse de Lamartine, marveling at the cedars during his trip to the Middle East, wrote, "[t]he cedars of Lebanon are the relics of centuries and nature, the most famous natural landmarks in the universe."^[7] Similarly, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who visited Lebanon in 1935, reflected on the cedar's symbolism in his work Citadelle [fr]: "[t]he peace is a long-growing tree. We need, as the cedar, to rock its unity."^[8]

In 1920, during the proclamation of the State of Greater Lebanon, the cedar was described as a symbol of resilience and unity: "[a]n evergreen cedar is like a young nation despite a cruel past. Although oppressed, never conquered, the cedar is its rallying. By the union, it will break all attacks."^[8] This sentiment was echoed in the design of the Lebanese flag, which merged the French tricolor with the cedar to reflect Lebanon's ties to France under the mandate.

The current flag, adopted in 1943, carries profound symbolic meanings. The two red stripes represent the blood shed by the Lebanese people during their struggles for independence, first against the Ottoman Empire and later against French colonial rule. The white stripe symbolizes peace, purity, and the snow that covers Lebanon's mountains. The green cedar in the center stands for immortality, steadfastness, and hope. The flag was designed to be neutral, uniting Lebanon's diverse religious communities under a shared national identity.^[2]

The cedar tree has long been a symbol of Lebanon, with its roots tracing back to the 18th century when it became emblematic of the Christian Maronites. The first recorded use of the Maronite flag – a white field charged with a green cedar tree – was in October 1848, reflecting the cedar's growing significance as a national symbol.^[9]

The rise of Lebanese national self-confidence was particularly evident among diaspora communities. In 1913 two Lebanese Brazilian journalists, Shukri El Khoury [ar] and Naoum Labaki, both part of the Mahjar movement, proposed "a white flag with a cedar tree in the center".^[10] This design was adopted by Lebanese immigrants in the Americas and communicated to the Allied Powers. The same flag was also embraced in Lebanon, though in 1918 El Khoury suggested adding red and blue triangles on the left side of the white cedar flag to pay homage to the French mandate.^[10]

Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the white flag with a green cedar was raised as Lebanon's first national flag on 2 October 1918.^[11] On 2 November 1918, a white flag with a green cedar was hoisted over the palace in Baabda, then capital of the autonomous Ottoman Mount Lebanon, where it remained until May 1919, as noted by Rachid Nakhle, a leader of the Lebanon League of Progress.^[10] Lebanese communities abroad also played a role in shaping the national identity. On 3 July 1919, the French consul in Santiago de Cuba reported that Lebanese émigrés were advocating for a French protectorate over Lebanon, separate from Syria, and proposed a national flag featuring a cedar in the white band.^[10]

In May 1919, Naoum Mokarzel, president of the Lebanon League of Progress, designed a new version of the flag inspired by the French tricolor. It featured vertical blue, white, and red bands with a cedar tree in the center. Mokarzel proposed the tricolor flag at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 to French President Raymond Poincaré, who enthusiastically accepted the idea. The design later became the official flag of Lebanon under the League of Nations.^[10] However, this design faced opposition from many Lebanese Christians, who felt it threatened their identity. In protest, the Administrative Council and Lebanese municipalities flew the plain white cedar flag, particularly in the districts of Batroun and Keserwan. Meanwhile, demonstrators in Baabda demanded "the affirmation of the union of Lebanon with France, consecrated by the choice, as a national emblem, of the tricolor flag with the Cedar in a white band."^[10]

On 22 March 1920, a demonstration in Baabda raised the tricolor flag, which was hailed by General Gouraud as a "symbol of freedom."^[10] This flag was officially adopted on 23 May 1926, as described in Article 5 of the Lebanese Constitution: "The Lebanese flag is blue, white, and red in vertical bands of equal width, with a cedar on the white part."^[12] Although the constitution did not specify the cedar's color, most contemporary depictions showed it as green with a brown trunk.^[13]

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  Flag used by Lebanese Maronites in the 19th century, and first raised as a Lebanese flag in 1918 (1918–1920)
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  () Flag used by Lebanese Maronites in the 19th century, and first raised as a Lebanese flag in 1918 (1918–1920; variant)
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  () Flag used by Lebanese Maronites in the 19th century, and first raised as a Lebanese flag in 1918 (1918–1920; variant)
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  () Shukri El Khoury [ar]'s proposed flags: on the left, the white flag with a green cedar; on the right, a modified version featuring red and blue triangles added to honor the French mandate (1918)
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  Flag of the State of Greater Lebanon during the French mandate (1920–1943)
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  () Flag of the State of Greater Lebanon during the French mandate (1920–1943; variant)
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  () Flag of the State of Greater Lebanon during the French mandate (1920–1943; variant)

The present Lebanese flag was adopted just prior to independence from France in 1943. Seeking independence, the flag was first drawn by members of parliament during a meeting at Saeb Salam's house in Mousaitbeh.^[14][15] It was officially adopted on 7 December 1943, during a parliamentary session where Article 5 of the Lebanese Constitution was amended.^[16]

The flag's design is attributed to Henri Pharaon, a member of parliament, who proposed the composition based on Lebanon's geography. The two red stripes represent the Mount Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges, while the white stripe symbolizes the Beqaa Valley situated between them. The green cedar tree in the center of the white stripe represents Lebanon's identity as the "Land of the Cedars".^[17][18]

The adoption of the flag occurred in a tense political climate. Following Lebanon's unilateral abolition of the French mandate in November 1943, French authorities arrested key government leaders, including President Bechara El Khoury and Prime Minister Riad Al Solh. Only seven parliament members were permitted to meet in the French-occupied Parliament. During this brief meeting, the deputies hastily devised the flag's design, preserving the cedar as a national symbol.^[19] The flag was formally introduced into the Constitution on 7 December 1943, with the text specifying its composition: three horizontal stripes (red, white, and red) with a green cedar tree occupying one-third of the white stripe.</ref>^[16]

Accounts of the flag's creation vary. Henri Pharaon claimed he proposed the design, influenced by his Austrian connections, and was assisted by Saadi Al Munla and Mohamad Al Fadl.^[20] The original drawing of the flag, signed by seven parliament members, was based on Pharaon's proposal and executed by Al Munla. Pierre Gemayel, leader of the Kataeb Party, also asserted that his party conceived the flag's design, which was later adopted by the government.^[10][21] Gemayel reportedly asked Sami Dahdah to draw the new flag, which was then sewn by the wife of Felix Hobeyka.^[10]

The flag was first raised in Bechamoun on 21 November 1943 at 11:20 pm;^[22] in 1979 the Minister of National Education, Boutros Harb, declared 21 November as National Flag Day. In 1994, the Lebanese government standardized the cedar's color to entirely green, replacing the earlier naturalistic depiction with a brown trunk. This change was reflected in official representations, including those registered with the WIPO.^[2]

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  Flag as drawn and approved by the members of the parliament during the Declaration of independence in 1943
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  Flag of Lebanon (1943–1995)
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  Flag of Lebanon (1995–present)
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  Design stored at WIPO
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  Common variant of the flag of Lebanon
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  Vertical flag of Lebanon

• Coat of arms of Lebanon
• Insignia of the Republican Guard (Lebanon)
• List of Lebanese flags

• Lebanon at Flags of the World