Official Palette
Symbolism
The red color is traditional for flags of the Persian Gulf states. The white represents peace with neighboring states. The five serrated points dividing the colors represent the Five Pillars of Islam.
History
The serrated edge was originally added to distinguish the flag from neighboring states flying solid red flags. The number of points was reduced from more than twenty to five in 2002.
Construction
A 3:5 ratio. A white band on the hoist separated from a larger red area on the fly by five white triangles forming a serrated line.
Color Meanings
Country Facts
- Population
- 1.6M
<0.1% of Asia
- Capital
- Manama
- Languages
- Arabic
- Continent
- Asia
- Subregion
- Middle East
- Landlocked
- Island state
- ISO 3166-1
- BH
Flag Identification
- Adopted
- February 14, 2002
- Proportions
3:5 (≈1.667)
- Total Colors
- 2
Influences
Lookalike Comparison
Side-by-side analysis of high-confusion flags, comparing exact color shades, proportions, and historical divergence.
Direct Lookalike Comparison
Quick Tell
Bahrain is bright red with 5 serrated points (representing the Five Pillars of Islam); Qatar is maroon with 9 points.
Color Shades & Hex Codes
Bahrain: Bahrain red
#CE1126
Qatar: Qatar maroon
#8D1B3D
Historical Divergence
Both flags originated from the 1820 anti-piracy treaty requiring Persian Gulf states to add white borders to their plain red banners. Bahrain reduced its serrations from 28 to 8, and finally to 5 in 2002.
Flags with resemblance
Both feature a white hoist with a serrated zigzag border. Bahrain is red with 5 points at 3:5; Qatar is maroon with 9 points at 11:28.
Related flags
Flag Protocol
- The five serrated points must be clearly defined
- The hoist-side band must be white
Practice
Think you know the flags of Middle East? Test your recognition in a quick practice round.