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Iran: Transition period (1979-1980)

Last modified: 2008-01-18 by ian macdonald
Keywords: lion (yellow) | sun (yellow) | sword (yellow) |
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[Iranian flag] image by Martin Grieve


See also:


National flag and civil ensign

According to Smith (1980) [smi80], " the Revolution which swept Iran in 1979 made no alteration in the national flag and arms up to the time of writing (April 1979)."
Ivan Sache
, 16 October 1999

From the Flag Bulletin vol xx : 3: (May-June 1981):
"The development of new symbols in Iran was a slow process. Monuments and other visible expressions of imperial power, especially those associated personally with the deposed shah, were quickly eliminated; the imperial crown immediately disappeared from the war flag and ensign. Nevertheless other flags continued in use -- the civil flag and ensign (plain green-white-red stripes) and the state flag and ensign (the same stripes with the lion and sun in the center). The lion and sun also continued as the state arms." Curiously the same publication mentions a 1958 version of the lion and sun emblem but states that it is uncertain if this was replaced by a more "stylized" version. Can we therefore presume that the older lion and sun version on Pahlavi flags continued in use only until 1958 or is the Flag Bulletin incorrect here - i.e., should it read 1964 version? If indeed the publication is correct and the date *is* 1958, then a new suite of flags between 1958-1964 exists - i.e., ratio 1:3 with lion and sun emblem.
The Naval jack changed from a green field to blue according to Barraclough and Evans :"Flags of the world 1979" but they omit to provide us with the adoption date, nor do they instruct us on what lion and sun emblem was incorporated. Any info on above matters shall be greatly appreciated here.
Martin Grieve, 18 January 2003


State emblem

[Iranian State emblem] image by Martin Grieve, 18 January 2003

Similar to the pre-1979 emblem. I guess that the Imperial crown was dropped after the Shah was overthrown.
Ivan Sache
, 20 August 2002
Source: Smith (1980) [smi80]


State flag

[Iranian State emblem] image by Martin Grieve, 18 January 2003

Flag with lion and sun, no crown.
 

Martin Grieve, 18 January 2003


War Flag/Naval Ensign

[Iranian State emblem] image by Martin Grieve, 18 January 2003

From 1979-1980 - lion and sun without imperial crown
Martin Grieve, 18 January 2003