Last modified: 2000-01-14 by zeljko heimer
Keywords: qatar | asia | gulf | maroon | bahrain | serrated | zig-zag |
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by zeljko heimer 24-FEB-1996
Despite the near-villification of this flag over its
individualistic approach to proportions (11:28, a reflection of
a "do your own thing" view of national policy?), there is a
fascinating story here.
At first glance, the Qatar flag seems
remarkably similar to the flag of Bahrain. Both have the distinctive
serrated margin between the white band at the hoist and the
"red" fly. The proportions set them apart (Bahrain 3:5) and the
colors differ, with Bahrain being a standard "British" red (they,
after all, had a strong and "involved" British adviser throughout
the 1930s) and Qatar the distinctive "maroon." This similarity
reflects an intertwined history.
To make a long and involved story
_very_ short, the histories of the two states have overlapped and
occasionally collided since the 18th century. The distinctive
Qatari flag emerged in the 1930s (official adoption of the
maroon color came about 1949).
Bahrain's flag as we know it now
was formally adopted in 1933 and the Qatari differences in size and
color (said to be what becomes of red as it fades in the Gulf
sun - a fanciful tale) seem to be largely an effort to make the
Qatar flag DIFFERENT from the Bahrani banner.
ed haynes 29-JAN-1996