Introductory Introduction
The flag is not just a piece of colored cloth raised on masts; it is a visual embodiment of identity, sovereignty, and national dignity. Behind its colors and symbols lie the stories of generations, reflecting the values of peoples, their history, their struggles, and even their wounds. It is the supreme emblem around which citizens unite, no matter how different their opinions and orientations, because it is the common title that must not be touched.
Every nation chooses its flag carefully, often after a struggle, consensus, or a decisive moment in its history, to become the supreme symbol representing the nation both domestically and abroad. Over time, this flag becomes part of the collective memory: it is hung in schools, raised in championships, printed on official documents, and celebrated in national anthems. The flag does not belong to a government or a political regime, but to the people as a whole.
From here, any attempt to change the national flag outside the framework of legitimacy and popular consensus is considered a direct violation of the nation’s sovereignty. Tampering with the flag is not a neutral visual act, but a highly dangerous symbolic action that goes beyond aesthetics or politics, reaching deep into the core of identity and belonging. It is an implicit declaration of the beginning of a rupture with memory, a dismantling of national unity, and the imposition of a new symbolism by the force of fait accompli, not by the will of the people.
This dilemma appeared clearly in the Syrian case, where a new flag was imposed by armed groups operating outside legitimacy, in one of the most dangerous attempts to tamper with unifying national symbols. In this article, we will discuss how this transformation took place, why it constitutes a profound threat to the identity of Syrians, and where the difference lies between the flag carried by memory and collective sentiment, and the flag imposed through force and propaganda.
العلم السوري ذو النجمتين Syrian flag two green stars
First: The Flag as a Sovereign Symbol and a National Identity
Since the emergence of modern states, the national flag has held a special place in the consciousness of peoples, as the highest symbol of sovereignty and independence. It does not represent only the ruling system, but rather expresses the national entity with all its diversity, differences, and shared history. For this reason, any infringement upon this symbol is considered a direct infringement on sovereignty, identity, and belonging.
The flag is the visual embodiment of national identity. In moments of war and peace, in times of crises and victories, the flag remains the banner around which the national community gathers, through which it feels its collective existence, and through which it affirms that it belongs to one homeland regardless of differing ideologies. Therefore, respecting the flag and preserving it is an inseparable part of respecting national dignity.
For this reason, most state constitutions emphasize the importance of the national flag and consider it one of the sovereign constants that cannot be changed or tampered with except by a comprehensive popular decision, usually through a constitutional referendum.
For example, the German constitution stipulates respect for the German national flag as a symbol of the federal state, and the law criminalizes insulting it. Similarly, the Egyptian constitution considers the flag one of the "components of the state" alongside the national anthem, prohibiting any changes except by law. In the United States, although there is no direct constitutional provision, respect for the national flag is deeply rooted in the American consciousness. The flag there is treated as a sacred symbol that reflects the unity of the nation, and even the mere suggestion of changing its symbols or colors on certain occasions has provoked widespread national outrage.
All of this indicates that the flag is not just a passing visual symbol, but rather a sovereign cornerstone, a constitutional constant, and a central component of the national identity of any free people.
Second: The Overthrow of the Syrian Flag and the Imposition of an Alternative by Force
For decades, the flag with the two green stars was a unifying sovereign symbol for Syrians. It expressed a national identity that lasted for generations, accompanying them in all international forums, in schools and textbooks, in official and national occasions, and even in their popular consciousness, including songs, festivals, sports, and collective memory.
But in 2011, a dark chapter in Syrian history began, when armed extremist groups calling themselves the “Syrian Revolution” launched an armed campaign targeting state institutions and the army, causing civilian casualties, particularly among religious minorities. These groups, which soon revealed their jihadist and takfiri nature, declared their rejection of the Syrian national flag and began raising a strange flag with three red stars. This flag bore no relation to the history of the modern Syrian state but was directly linked to the armed project launched by these organizations under the guise of a “revolution.”
At first, the raising of this flag was limited to demonstrations or areas controlled by these groups. But over time, and after years of war and chaos, the ruling regime in Syria collapsed, jihadist factions took control of vast areas of the country, and they imposed the new flag by force. They banned the use of the original Syrian flag and even punished anyone who raised it or displayed it in public spaces.
While these groups claimed that the old flag belonged to the “regime,” the historical truth confirms that this flag is older than the regime itself, dating back to the era of the United Arab Republic in the 1950s, and even to the early stages of the modern state's foundation. The claim that the Syrian flag represents the regime is an attempt to falsify history and justify the imposition of a foreign banner that does not reflect the consciousness of the Syrian people.
Even more dangerously, the process of replacing the flag was neither innocent nor spontaneous. It came as part of a media and security plan directed by international and regional intelligence agencies supporting jihadist organizations. They used media, propaganda, and symbols to dismantle Syrian national bonds, establish a new separatist reality, isolate the people from their shared history, and impose a new symbolic reality by force of arms.
Since then, under the banner of this new flag, Syria has witnessed massacres, kidnappings, theft, assassinations, and widespread insecurity—a picture completely different from the sovereign and national meanings that were associated with the original Syrian flag for many decades.
Third: The Visual and Aesthetic Difference Between the Two Flags
Beyond the political and symbolic dimension, the national flag always carries aesthetic and visual value, since its design reflects the general taste and visual identity of the people. The difference between the original Syrian flag and the flag imposed by jihadist groups is not limited to meanings, but is clearly manifested on the visual and design level.
🔶 The Original Syrian Flag:
It consists of three harmonious horizontal colors: red, white, and black, with two green stars in the middle. This composition is characterized by a balanced color scheme that is pleasing to the eye, symbolizing the unity of land, blood, and peace. The two green stars appear as “eyes of peace” at the center of the flag, giving it a serene spirit and an impression of dignity and composure. This design has been associated in the memory of Syrians with feelings of pride, whether in international delegations, popular marches, awards, or flags waving at festivals and major events.
🔴 The Newly Imposed Flag:
In contrast, it consists of the same horizontal colors but with a different arrangement, featuring three harshly shaped and unevenly placed red stars in the center. Visually, this flag appears unsettled and uncomfortable to the eye. The green color at the top does not carry its usual meaning in Arab culture; instead, it separates red and black in a way that lacks balance. As for the three red stars, they do not harmonize with the background and look more like hostile elements or warning signs rather than symbols of unity or sovereignty.
الفرق الشاسع:
The visual difference between the two flags reflects the difference in their messages. The original flag conveys sovereignty, history, composure, and balance. The imposed flag, however, conveys chaos, strangeness, and a lack of connection with Syrian visual identity. Even on a psychological level, the original Syrian flag inspires comfort and confidence, whereas the new flag provokes anxiety and alienation, as if it were an intruder that does not belong to the people’s visual consciousness.
الفرق الجمالي بين العلمين Visual difference between two flags 2
🟪 Fourth: The Impact of This Change on Syrian Society
The change of the Syrian flag was not merely a symbolic step, but a real shock that left deep marks on the collective consciousness and the society as a whole. National symbols—foremost among them the flag—play a central role in reinforcing the sense of belonging. When tampered with without consensus, the consequences are devastating.
🔻 Undermining Symbolic Sovereignty:
The flag is the visual embodiment of sovereignty, and changing it without popular consensus strikes at the very core of the state and undermines its symbolism. Imposing a new flag by armed groups driven by extremist ideology, without any national foundation, is an explicit dismantling of the concept of sovereignty and a direct assault on the unifying symbolic meaning represented by the original flag.
🔻 Reinforcing Division and Separation from National Memory:
The new flag created a temporal and symbolic gap with the memory of the Syrians. It was not the result of a national dialogue, but was imposed amid conflict, violence, and insecurity. It was never accompanied by any collective sense of pride, but instead became a source of division. Many Syrians do not see themselves represented by this flag, but rather view it as a mark of a phase of violence and chaos.
🔻 Creating a Flag Without Popular Depth or Moral Legitimacy:
Unlike the original Syrian flag, which was born with the founding of the state and endured for decades, the imposed flag is not tied to any solid state context and carries no moral legitimacy. It is the flag of a faction, not of a nation, and therefore lacks the ability to unite or represent the people. Instead, it instills in them a sense of alienation and detachment.
خطر تغيير العلم دون توافق Danger of changing the flag
Fifth: The Impact of This Change on Syrian Society
The change of the Syrian flag was not merely a modification of shape or color, but rather a symbolic earthquake that struck at the very core of Syrian national identity. National symbols, foremost among them the flag, are not superficial elements but foundational values that represent the state and society and connect individuals to their shared history. When a new flag is imposed by force, without popular consensus or constitutional legitimacy, the result is a direct blow to the unity of society and its symbolic cohesion.
🔻 Undermining Symbolic Sovereignty
The flag is the highest visual expression of state sovereignty, and changing it without popular approval or a legal framework is equivalent to violating the sovereignty of the country itself. The imposition of a flag linked to armed extremist groups, which neither represent the state nor acknowledge its institutions, weakened the image of Syrian sovereignty and plunged the country into a symbolic crisis no less dangerous than its political or security crises.
🔻 Deepening Division and Separation from National Memory
Symbols belong to the memory of the people, and the Syrian flag with its two green stars has been rooted in the consciousness of Syrians for decades—seen in schools, ceremonies, and national victories. The new flag, however, came detached from this memory, and instead of being unifying, it became a source of division and fragmentation. Many Syrians see it as a foreign flag that has no real connection to their homeland.
🔻 Creating a Flag Without Popular Depth or Moral Legitimacy
A flag is not born from the barrel of a gun, nor do symbols derive their meaning from the imposition of weapons. The new flag carries no moral legitimacy because it did not emerge from the will of the people; rather, it became associated with groups that used violence and committed massacres against civilians. For this reason, this flag cannot represent the Syrian people, nor can it foster a sense of belonging or inspire future generations.
This image shows the martyrs of the terrorist bombing carried out by Jabhat al-Nusra, the group that replaced the original Syrian flag with the green jihadist flag. The photo is an example of how the memory of Syrian martyrs and their sacrifices remain tied to the original Syrian flag.
العلم السوري الأصلي رمز السيادة Syrian flag symbol of sovereignty.jpg
Sixth: The Symbolic Coup – When a Flag is Ripped Away from Its People’s Memory
When an ideological group imposes a new flag by force on an entire population, it is not merely changing a piece of fabric—it is reshaping the collective memory of the people and severing their connection to history. This is exactly what happened in Syria. After jihadist armed groups emerged in 2011 and launched their operations under the banner of the so-called “Syrian revolution,” they raised a foreign flag with three red stars instead of the original Syrian flag with its two green stars—a flag that had been raised for decades and was tied to every moment of Syrian life.
The original flag with the two green stars was never a mere symbol of a political regime; it was the banner of the Syrian state long before the current system, raised at international conferences, in popular marches, in celebrations of victory, during days of mourning, in schoolbooks, on passports, and inside people’s homes. It was part of the Syrian collective identity.
But since 2011, a symbolic coup began. The jihadist groups imposed this new flag by force, banning the use of the original flag in the areas under their control. Anyone who raised the old flag was labeled an “enemy” or a “traitor,” even though it embodied the symbol of the homeland itself, not the symbol of power.
Over time, the new flag became associated with scenes of killing, massacres, division, and extremist rhetoric. Many Syrians began to feel alienated from this imposed flag, which was forced upon them without consultation, without referendum, and without any democratic process. It is not the people’s flag, but the flag of a faction.
في الصورة التالية, يظهر شكل العلم لو تم تطبيق الدستور
العلم الثلاث نجوم الجهادي Flag three red stars jihadi
Seventh: Political Instrumentalization – How the Flag is Used as a Symbolic Weapon
In psychological and cultural warfare, symbols are used as much as weapons. A flag is not just a strip of colors, but a tool of mobilization, a compass of loyalty, and a mechanism for excluding others. By changing the flag, regimes or groups seek to re-code the state and redefine “who belongs” and “who does not.”
In the Syrian case, changing the flag was not a chaotic or spontaneous step. It was part of a calculated political and media project, backed by regional and international intelligence and propaganda networks. The aim was to erase the unifying identity of the Syrian state and replace it with a narrow sectarian/ideological identity aligned with the transnational jihadist project.
The new flag was never the result of popular consensus, but rather a sharp tool of polarization, designed to separate “with the revolution” from “against the revolution,” “believer” from “infidel,” “loyal to the group” from “outside of it.” For this reason, three red stars were raised above the heads of those assassinated, while flags were stitched on walls as banners of war, not as symbols of a nation.
In short, the new flag was used as a symbolic weapon to reshape loyalties and to legitimize a political-ideological project that had nothing to do with the will of the Syrian people, but everything to do with the agendas of those who wanted to divide Syria into sects and allegiances.
In conclusion:
A flag is not just a piece of cloth raised on rooftops or hung in official halls, but a true mirror of the people’s spirit, identity, and history. It is a symbol that transcends regimes and governments, expressing the collective national entity to which people of all backgrounds belong—not the slogans of factions or the banners of sectarian parties.
Therefore, any forced change of national symbols – foremost the flag – is not a cosmetic step or a mere formal decision, but a direct assault on national sovereignty, on collective memory, and on the unity of the people themselves. When the new flag is imposed in a violent and charged context, tied to killing, extremism, and exclusion, it loses all national symbolic value and becomes part of a divisive project rather than a unifying one.
Respecting national symbols is the first condition for any inclusive national project, whether in building a modern state or in repairing what wars have destroyed.
Syria cannot heal or recover while its flag is usurped, its identity torn apart, and its memory rewritten with alien colors that reflect nothing but scenes of blood and division.