What does the Lebanese Flag symbolizes?

As many of you know Lebanon was under the French mandate before and during the first four years of World War II. In 1943 the people united behind their elected officials to declare independence from France.
The French occupation force reacted by jailing the president of the country, his entire cabinet, and leading members of parliament. A bloody struggle ensued with the people. This brief struggle ended when the French authorities realized that they had miscalculated and recognized the Independence of Lebanon on the 22 of November 1943.

The new Republic of Lebanon was immediately recognized by the leading western powers including the United States. Countries of the Eastern block, including the Soviet union, recognized the independence of Lebanon few weeks later. The government of Lebanon quickly selected the national anthem and national flag.



The Lebanese flag has two horizontal red stripes separated by a white stripe that is twice as wide, and the Cedar Of The Lord in the middle of the white stripe. The red stripes reflect the blood of the people shed to gain independence, the white stripe reflects the people's desire for peace and tranquility. The Cedar, a magestic tree of immense beauty and a life spanning thousands of years, had covered the mountains of Lebanon since the dawn of time. It symbolizes endurance,longevity and ruggedness. According to biblical documentation, the Cedar tree was selected by King Solomon to build the temple in Jerusalem.

Through out history all nations that have attempted to occupy Lebanon have come to realize that Lebanon will always be for the Lebanese people and for the Lebanese people alone, regardless of their political orientation and varied religous beleifs.

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