Why Iranian protesters are reclaiming a flag banned for nearly five decades

Cultures · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: During the 2026 protests across Iran, a familiar tricolor flag featuring a golden lion and sun has reappeared. Once the official state banner, it was outlawed after the 1979 revolution. Today, it serves as a potent, multifaceted symbol of resistance against the current government for both Iranians and the diaspora.

The Lion and Sun emblem is deeply rooted in Iranian history, with motifs appearing as early as the Achaemenid era. By the 15th century, the emblem was displayed on flags, and in the late 19th century, a green, white, and red border was added. Following the 1906 constitution, this tricolor design became the official national flag. The colors were traditionally associated with the Islamic faith, peace, and valor, respectively. In 1910, a decree standardized the emblem’s details, including the lion’s sword and the sun’s rays.

The Pahlavi dynasty, which rose to power in 1925 under Reza Shah Pahlavi and continued under his son Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi until 1979, is closely linked to this flag. However, the 1979 Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, fundamentally altered the nation's symbols. The new government replaced the Lion and Sun with a new coat of arms, labeling the old flag an artifact of an oppressive, Westernizing monarchy. By 1980, the emblem was strictly banned from all government offices and public spaces.

Today, the flag’s meaning is contested. For some, it represents a desire to restore the monarchy that ruled until 1979. For others, particularly those involved in the 2026 protests that engulfed all 31 provinces, it serves as a broader, non-partisan symbol of opposition to the current Islamic Republic. While some officials have attempted to reframe the lion as a symbol of Imam Ali to undermine the protests, the flag remains a defiant, historic rallying point for those challenging the state, appearing frequently in demonstrations both within Iran and among the global diaspora.

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