Last modified: 2024-03-03 by 
zachary harden
Keywords: ufe | unidentified flags | 2013 |
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Below is a series of images of flags that have been provided to FOTW; some we have recognized, and some we have been unable to recognize. If you can help us identify any of these flags, please let us know! Contact the: UFE Editor.
Identification Key:
= Positive ID (Positive Identification)
= Tentative ID (Tentative Identification)
= Some Speculation Some Speculation
Image from Esteban Rivera, 13 September 2014
[image cropped by UFE Editor]
An article in the online version of the New York Times on September 11, included a picture of a flag of an anti-ISIS group seen during the siege of Amirli. The picture (seen here in its entirety) has a caption that reads "Shiite militias last week after helping free the town of Amerli in northern Iraq from an ISIS siege". The main article deals with the "strange" and rather "odd" alliances that this group (ISIS) has brought together against it.
The flag shows three men, most likely important figures in Islamic religion, maybe prophets or Imam´s, since they seem to be holding books, scriptures and all sorts of sacred items.
Since there were so many belligerents in this particular battle making up the informal coalition of ground forces battling against ISIS, plus Ameril (Amirli) being predominantly populated by Turkmen, it indicates that this flag is of Turkmen origin. Members of the coalition included the Iraqi Turkmen Front and various Special Groups (a term used by the US to identify Iran-backed Shia paramilitaries in Iraq), including the Promised Day Brigades, the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, the Kata'ib Hezbollah, the Badr Brigades, and the Peshmerga, who are the armed forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government semi-autonomous Region.
Esteban Rivera, 13 September 2014
Image from Esteban Rivera, 15 November 2014
I found information on this group Arab Revolutionary Brigades on the Tracking Terrorism website and in this entry, they show this flag which displays another religious figure, very similar to one of the faces displayed on UFE 14-64. Maybe it is a common thing to display faces of important religious figures in rebel groups' flags (against current Assad regime and against Isis as well), although I'm not certain of what they mean nor who it is.
Esteban Rivera, 15 November 2014
If I'm not mistaken, portraiture is only used by Shia, not by Sunni.
Al Kirsch, 15 November 2014
Positive ID
This has been identified as a World War II era US Army Transportation Corps Flag.
Positive ID
Image from Esteban Rivera, 23 September 2014
Two days ago, on September 21, the Spanish newspaper El País published an article on recent pro-Ukraine protests in Moscow. In this article one can see this orange UFE. The very next day, on September 22, Qatar-based news outlet Al-jazeera published another article on the same topic, featuring the same image with the same orange UFE. Does anybody know what this flag stands for?
Esteban Rivera, 23 September 2014
Image from Victor Lomantsov, 23 September 2014
This is not an Ukrainian flag, but rather the flag of the United Democratic Movement "Solidarnost" (Solidarity). Founded in 2008, one of co-chairmans is world chess champion Garry Kasparov. They use orange flags with black or white logo, white flags with orange logo etc.
Victor Lomantsov, 23 September 2014
Yes. You can find more information about this movement on Wikipedia.
Zoltan Horvath, 24 September 2014
Is this a separate organisation from the Ukrainian "Solidarity" (old name for the Petro Poroshenko bloc)?
Andrew Weeks, 24 September 2014
Some Speculation
Image from Esteban Rivera, 30 September 2014
Can you help me identify this flag? It is a red horizontal flag with yellow inscription in (what seems to be) Mandarin.
Esteban Rivera, 30 September 2014
It reads "She-heroes of the barracks".
Miles Li, 30 September 2014
Some Speculation
#68a
#68b
Images from Barekhda Ayt, 12 October 2014
I found this photos of an event held in Russian cultural center in Belgrade two days ago. The gray haired person standing besides the bishop is HRH Prince Alexander Karageorgevich. The flag (#68a), however, hanging on the wall behind them is unknown to me. It resembles the flag of the patriarch of Serbian Orthodox Church. It has full coat of arms of SOC but placed on dark red field instead of Serbian tricolore with a white border with interlaced series of blue and red triangles. The flag is placed on the most prominent place during that event although the patriarch was not even present (hence the presence of the Bishop-vicarious Arsenios). Do you have any information about this flag?"
Also, on today's practice for military parade in honour of Liberation day of Belgrade, at which President of Russian Federation Putin will be present, the river flotilla was using another flag (#68b). By it's position it should be a military navy jack - Vojnopomorska pramcana zastava. However, I couldn't find any confirmation and hope you'll be able to identify it.
Dejan Ambrozic, 12 October 2014
#68c
Image from Željko Heimer, 13 October 2014
From what I am aware, #68a is not any flag with any official status, simply an ornamentation on textile. It it hard to tell from the photo, but the item may not have even been intended to be displayed as a flag.
I have noticed that Serbian military ships tend to use in recent years various flags from the International Sygnal Code during the excercises and events - which I assume they are tactical signals specific for the excercise.
Anyway, the flag (#68a) is used as naval jack, as is this one (#68c) I posted on June 2010. However, I was unable to find any further info on this flag. The emblem is not that of the River Flotilla (which uses a simple per fess wavy gules-azure shield with white anchor) nor it is prescribed in any legislation or regulation that I have found so far...
Then again - I haven't found any legislation/regulation on the naval ensign as used at least since 2007 (probably with minor corrections to the COA style introduced in 2010). I am afraid that I was not being much of help.
Željko Heimer, 13 October 2014
Some Speculation
Image from Santiago Díaz, 21 October 2014
I saw this flag during an independentist demonstration in Barcelona last Sunday. It looked like an Ucranian flag, but with a obviously Catalan shield in the middle. I think it also had a crown over it. Might it be a municipal flag?
Santiago Díaz, 21 October 2014
Seems more Aragonese then Catalan proper. Probably it is no municipal flag. I checked all municipalities with known arms of Catalonia, Aragon, the Balearic Islands, Murcia and the Valencia Community plus Alghera on Sardinia (they have a Catalan speaking slight majority), but unfortunately no match. And no perfect match about the rhombic shield, which at least should be somehow Catalan. The best match, but not a good one, is the Crown of Aragon. In the arms and in those of current Aragon region there is one quarter in dexter base displaying a St.George cross with four moor's heads, one in each of its quarters. The cross in our UFE might also be taken from the arms of the Duchy of Catalonia, and the moor's head might refer to Sardinia (not very likely to Corsica).
It is a shock, how little information about the meaning of the Aragonese arms is provided in the www. I only found this:
The blue quarter with white cross patty fitchy displays the cross of Íñigo Arista, Count of Bigorra and 1st King of Pamplona, his kin ruled Navarra from 816 until 905 (more detail in Spanish see here).
The cross with moor's heads in the Aragonese arms is referred to as "Cross of Alcoraz". Alcoraz is known from a battle fought in 1096, where King Pedro I of Aragon defeated Emir Al-Mustain II of Zaragoza. I still found nothing about the tree topped by a red Latin cross.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 February 2019
The tree topped with the cross is the Coat-of-Arms of Sobrarbe.
Tomislav Todorovic, 5 February 2019
Positive ID
This Saudi Arabian flag has now been identified as a "Variant of the Civil Flag" and moved to its permanent location.
Positive ID
This flag is now located on the FOTW database as the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.
Some Speculation
Image from James Dignan, 1 November 2014
I'm currently watching a football match on TV, live from Perth, Western Australia. Someone in the crowd is waving an interesting flag which looks like it may be an alternative design for a flag for Western Australia - anyone know anything about it? It's a red cross, fimbriated white, on a dark blue (or possibly black) background, with the state emblem of a black swan on a yellow disc in the centre.
James Dignan, 1 November 2014
Might this be a totally unofficial proposal for a state flag that isn't a British ensign?
John Ayer, 3 January 2015
Some Speculation
#73a
# 73b [may be reversed]
Image from Martin Dix, 29 October 2014
I have these two flags, both say RN 32335 and 100 percent cotton. Could you give me any information on these flags. I was going to hang them in my garage, but if they were too nice to do that, then I would preserve them another way.
Jack Doyle, 29 October 2014
I am not sure what these flags are - at first I was going to say they look like decorative bunting, perhaps Brazilian and American, but then I noticed they had grommets so were meant to be hung like a flag, not draped decoratively.
Rob Raeside, 3 November 2014
I would like to have the dimensions of these flags to see whether they might be advertising pull-downs.
John Ayer, 3 January 2015
The text RN 32335 is given. The only flags I know to use that are Dettra flags [made by the Dettra Flag Company]. Not much help, I know, especially since I don't know what it means, but I contribute it here just in case that it might help finding more solid information.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 17 January 2015
I noticed that at UFE07-19, we have the same number RN32335. I should add that I've now found that Par Aide Products have/had this same code on their flags. However, I expect that they didn't make these flags themselves, but rather had them made by a flag company.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 15 April 2015
Some Speculation
Image from Mark Rosenberg, 13 November 2014
I viewed your extensive site and found flags similar, but with white stars instead of gold. This came from the estate of a Vietnam fighter pilot whose father, Brig. Gen. Glen C. Jamison flew in WWII. Any idea about the color and placement of the stars on this one? My understanding is the Gold Star represents a KIA, but Brig. Gen. Jamison lived until 1973.
Mark Rosenberg, 13 November 2014
Here is a link to Brig. Gen. Glen C. Jamison's service history.
Mark Rosenberg, 13 November 2014
Image from Zaricor Flag Collection 13 November 2014
To add the two Euro cents I'm capable of contributing: I'd say that's indeed the officer's rank indicated. The Zaricor Flag Collection has, a U.S. Army Brigadier General Air Corps Flag, which has its charges in the same positions. Likewise the Army Brigadier General flag.
I think it's that emblem which would represent the Air Corps, while this one is actually for the Air Force, but I'll leave that to someone who understands American army. Anyway, the flags do seem to come in the same combinations of ranks and designs for the two, so US Air Force Brigadier General would seem to fit.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 13 November 2014
The winged star emblem (the 'Hap Arnold' wings) indicated this as the flag of a brigadier-general of the US Army Air Forces during World War II (as opposed to that of the pre-war US Army Air Corps which used a winged propeller emblem instead). As for the yellow star - maybe it was a manufacturer's mistake, or maybe it was a white star which got 'yellowed' as the flag aged... I cannot say for sure.
Miles Li, 15 November 2014
Just a completely off-the-wall question here, but is it possible that the USAAF rank flag with the gold star is actually intended to represent a brigadier general killed in action? The traditional white star would be replaced with a gold star similar to the blue stars being replaced with gold stars on Service Banners. Possible?
Randy Young, 30 November 2014
The lower star has some discolouration, but the upper one looks like it's close in colour to the wings. Can we derive something about the function of the flag from its size?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 8 April 2015
Some Speculation
#75a
#75b
Image from Clay Moss, 14 November 2014
These are images drawn from illustrations sent to me by a merchant marine buddy. I'm after more details. Meanwhile, does anyone recognize them?
Clay Moss, 14 November 2014
Any luck so far? Is there any reason to think of Somalia, other than a star on light blue? Could they just be a red over yellowed white, over red with a faded lone star canton?
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 24 April 2015
I have not heard back from my buddy since he sent the image. He sort of corresponds when he wishes, not necessarily in a timely manner. I tried downloading the image but could not. I did not think at the time to get a screen shot. Basically, from memory, the flag images were cartoon type drawings and were illustrated as flags in a parade. The over all image reminded me of the type of cartoonery drawn up by North Korean propaganda folks. Happy Somalis(?) march under the flags. There was also some writing in Arabic I think. The flags may only be imaginary.
Clay Moss, 25 April 2015
Positive ID
obverse
reverse
This flag has been identified as a version of the Anonymous Organization Medic Flag backed by an Anonymous Organization flag.
Positive ID
#77a
#77b
These flags were identified as vexi-vaporware versions of Anonymous Organization Flags of the Anonymous State of Massachusetts and Anonymous Iceland.
Some Speculation
Image from Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
I've found this Iranian UFE from this picture taken on 1393-7-9 (Persian calendar) which belongs to this picture gallery. When I translate it, the following title comes: "World Assembly of Clerks Roqiyeh (R) Bint Al Hussein" Does anybodoy know if it's indeed a flag and what it stands for?
Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
Ruqayyah bint Husayn (transcriptions vary) was a young daughter of Imam Husayn ibn Ali who was present with him at the Battle of Karbila. For the Shi'ites, it is all very moving. What does the inscription in the circle on the flag say?
John Ayer, 3 January 2015
Positive ID
Image from Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
In this picture
from this source taken back in 2010, the green flag in the middle with red lettering is unidentified. Could it possibly be government related?
Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
It reads as "Ya Hussein", but I have no idea what it does mean.
Zoltan Horvath, 30 November 2014
May be something to do with "Ya Hussain"
Dirk Schönberger, 30 November 2014
It seems to be a religious prayer: "Ya Hussain is an Arabic phrase used by Shia Muslims to invoke the memory or intervention of Hussain ibn Ali. It is especially used in the context of the Mourning of Muharram."
I've also seen the following variants: Black background with red letters on Brian J. McMorrow Galleries and
White background with red letters on Ya Hussain Flag.
The explanation of the Iran Islam Shia Ya Husain Religious, Political and Military Flag is as follows: The inscript on the flag reads YA HUSAIN. He was the 3rd Imam of all Shia who was martyred in Karbala, Iraq, centuries ago and is a symbol for all Shias to raise against the Oppressors. The wording above YA HUSAIN is the Famous Hadith of Prophet Muhammad that reads: INNA-HUSAIN mISBAHUL-HUDA WA SAFINATUN-NAJAT that means "Husain is the Lighthouse of Islamic Guidance for the lost ships and the Rescue ship." Such flags are mostly used by Shia Political & Military Groups in Iran and Lebanon."
Source: Mecollectibles.com.
Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
Not quite sure if it is a religious phrase. Mourning of Muharram was the day Hussain was murdered (some kind of genesis story of Shiite vs. Sunnite muslims). Basically it means something like "Remember Hussein" (and forever don't be friend with his murderers). The event marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala when Imam Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and a Shia Imam, was killed by the forces of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid I at Karbala. Source: wikipedia "Mourning of Muharram".
Dirk Schönberger, 30 November 2014
Some Speculation
Image from Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
Can anybody identify this flag from this source. When I translate it it says "Vice President of Science and Technolgy".
Esteban Rivera, 30 November 2014
Speculative image from Zoltan Horvath, 7 December 2014
I created its flag image. The upper inscription is "Presidency of the Republic" and the lower one means: "Vice [Presidency] for Science, Technology and Innovation". I think it's definitely not a rank flag but an organizational one.
Zoltan Horvath, 7 December 2014
One Positive ID and one with Some Speculation
#81a
#81d
Esteban Rivera, 3 December 2014
On this al Jazeera's news report broadcasted today you can see a flag with several symbols of being Kurdish (if not supportive of a particular group, i.e. PKK, or the Kurdish Regional Government).
- Image #81a - a square flag, split into four equal areas where a red five-pointed star in the middle, with other colors related to Kurdish symbols (yellow and green), as seen on 1:27.
- Image #81d - a horizontal red flag, , with other colors related to Kurdish symbols (yellow and green), as seen on 1:29 onwards.
Esteban Rivera, 3 December 2014
Flag #81d is now identified and located on the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons page, but #81a remains unidentified.
Regarding #81a, it seems that there is a repetetive pattern for the flag to look like it has four quarters, when instead the star and its rays are repeated over and over in squares, to end up like the image in question. In fact, here's a picture showing one square flag with the same pattern. (source)
There are several images of this flag as follows:
Positive ID
Not actually a flag, but another example of the use of the "rose design" favored by some Socialist organizations.
One Positive ID and Some Speculation
Image from Jaume Ollé, 8 December 2014
When I visited the Blue Mosquee I can took a photo with the Turkey flag and two Unknown flags below it. Any ideas?
Jaume Ollé, 8 December 2014
For me, the second one on the right looks like a variant of the flag of Istanbul.
Olivier Touzeau, 9 December 2018
The blue flag is indeed one of the several flags used by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
Ivan Sache, 25 July 2018
Positive ID
This flag has been identified as the Special Supply Center Army Units (EKEMS).
Positive ID
Indentified as the flag of the Athens General Military Hospital (GSNA).
Some Speculation
Image from Sean Murphy, 9 December 2014
[Image cropped and flipped to put it into a more conventional orientation]
I'm trying to research a flag I've have for a very long time. It came from southern Ontario, likely Norfolk County, and Dominion Regalia couldn't determine for me what it was. I've had it 40 years, approximately, and I have no idea how long my uncle had it before me. Any advice you can give me on this is much appreciated.
Sean Murphy, 9 December 2014
I don't recognise this flag but the overall design looks vaguely nautical to me. I wonder if it might be the flag of a shipping line, although it is not one we currently list on FOTW.
Rob Raeside, 10 December 2014
Given the age of the flag, there is the possibility that it was created as one of the proposals for a new Canadian flag. If so, the ten red stripes (six horizontal and four vertical) probably represent the ten provinces of Canada and possibly the four vertical ones were intended to represent the Maritime Provinces.
Ernest Cline, 16 July 2015
Positive ID
Image from RM Walsh, 20 December 2014
This Flag appeared on the cover of the Magazine Vogue Bambini earlier in 2014. What is it?
RM Walsh, 20 December 2014
UFE14-87 is from the June 2014 issue of Vogue Bambini magazine. It seems that it is a rendering of a fictional flag prepared just for the photoshoot of some children's clothing. Here's a better image of the front cover of the magazine. Source: Vogue Bambini magazine.
Esteban Rivera, 29 December 2014
Quite a complex design. Fantasy medieval? Well, it's a recent issue, and they apparently are able to understand English as well. Poster might try identification method #1.
Peter Hans van den Muijzenberg, 30 December 2014
