kurdistan watch

Flag of Kurdistan. The Flag of Kurdistan (Kurdish: Alay Kurdistan also called Alaya Rengîn "The Colourful Flag") first appeared during the Kurdish independence of Republic of Mahabad. It is currently used as the official flag of the autonomous Kurdistan Region in Iraq which is under control of the Kurdistan Regional Government. The flag is banned in Turkey, Iran and Syria. The main Kurdish characteristic of the flag is the blazing golden sun emblem at the centre, which is an ancient religious and cultural symbol among the Kurds and synonymous with fire in representing wisdom in Zoroastrianism. The sun disc of the emblem has 21 rays, equal in size and shape. The number 21 holds importance in the ancient Ezidi religious traditions of the Kurds. The symbolism of the colours are: Red symbolises the blood of martyrs of Kurdistan and the continued struggle for the freedom and dignity for Kurdistan and its people; Green expresses the beauty and the landscapes of Kurdistan; White expresses peace and equality; and Yellow represents the source of life and light of the people.