What's the Difference Between These Two Iranian Flags?
Iranian protesters in 2026 are flying a flag that hasn't been official since 1979.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Media Editor:
Lauren Sims
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.When governance fails, sustainability efforts risk becoming greenwashing.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Learn more about the life of Charles III.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.Discover the climate, landscape, and waterways of the northeastern United States.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.The Pacific Region of the United States is both geographically diverse and beautiful.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.The bald eagle is a conservation success story—and a national symbol.
-
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.The physical landscape of the Mountain Region of the United States ranges from the rugged Rocky Mountains to the sweeping fields of the Great Plains.
Transcript
This is the current flag of Iran [EE-RAHN].
But a different flag is flying among protesters in Tehran [TAY-RAN] and worldwide as their movement gains momentum.
The Lion and Sun emblem dates to the 15th century, when the symbols represented power and royalty. Green and red borders were added in the late 19th century, and the flag became “official” after Iran adopted its first constitution in 1906. It’s long served as a symbol for Iranian [IH-RANE-IAN] national identity.
The Lion and Sun version was replaced by Iran's current flag in 1979, when the shah of Iran was overthrown during the Islamic Revolution. The revolution brought to power a regime that imposed religious principles on everyday life—and suppressed attempts to challenge these ideals.
The new government altered Iran’s flag to include the Arabic “Allāhu akbar” [UH-LA-HU AK-BAR] or “God is great,” repeated 22 times across the stripes. It also removed the Lion and Sun in favor of a new coat of arms that represents the Islamic Republic.
In 2026 protesters began flying variations of the Lion and Sun flag as a way to criticize the government. Some argue for a regime change that would undo the Islamic Revolution and revitalize Iran—under its old flag.