Jordan, Palestine and Western Saraha

When Egypt and Syria merged in 1958, this prompted the merger of Iraq and Jordan in order to create the Arab Federation. The Arab Federation adopted a flag with a red chevron to the left, with a black top band, a white middle and a green bottom (middle, also that of Palestine). These are the Pan-Arab Colours. These draw their inspiration from the Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule (1916–1918). This flag was essentially similar to that of Jordan (top), but without the seven pointed star. The Arab Federation only lasted a few months, ended by a revolution in Iraq, but similar flags lives on in a number of other countries, most significantly in that of the Western Sahara (bottom).

Each of the four Pan-Arab colors were intended to represent a certain Arab dynasty, or era. The black was the color of the banner of Muhammad, and of the Abbasid Caliphate; white was used by the Umayyad Caliphate; green was used by the Fatimid Caliphate as a reminder of the Battle of Badr to symbolize their support of Ali Bin Abi Talib; red was the flag held by the Khawarij, and then became the symbol of rulers in theMaghreb, and Al-Andalus.