The flag of Iran is a tricolour flag consisting of three equal horizontal bands of (from the top of the flag) green, white and red. At the centre of the flag on the white band is the national emblem of Iran (known as "Allah") in the colour red. At the bottom of the green band and at the top of the red band sits the Takbir (the arabic phrase "Allahu Akbar", translating to "God is the greatest") in Kufic script. The Iranian flag's ratio is 4:7.
The colours appearing on the flag of Iran hold various symbolism. The colour green is said to symbolise growth, happiness, unity, nature, vitality and the various Iranian languages. The colour white is said to symbolise freedom. The colour red is said to symbolise martyrdom, bravery, fire, life, love, warmth and sophistication.
The present day flag of Iran was officially adopted on 29 July 1980 following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, replacing the Persian monarchy which had ruled the country for millennia with an Islamic Republic established under the Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The flag of Iran was designed by Hamid Nadimi.
Iranian athlete Kimia Alizade performs a lap of honour with the flag of Iran during the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Brazil