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Iran Military Colours

Last modified: 2019-10-14 by ian macdonald
Keywords: iran |
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Velayat/Army Flag

[Velayat/Army derafsh] image located by Bill Garrison, 30 September 2019

IRI [Islamic Republic of Iran] the Islamic Republic of Iran Army [Artesh-e Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran, or "Artesh" in short] = "Army or joint military logo".

"Army" logo: incorporates all 3 military branches: Army (swords), Air Force (falcon) & Navy (anchor) designs. The "ground forces" refers to what most countries call their "army" (but in Iran the "army" is comprised of all 3 branches). "derafsh" (Farsi/Persian) = colorful ceremonial flag.

This "sun ray"-design flag ("derafsh" or colorful ceremonial flag) is referred to as the "Derafsh of Velayat" or "flag of the Chief Jurist", who is called the "Vali-e Faqhih" (Guardian Jurist). He guides the Iranian government as its "Velayat-e faqih" (the office of the "Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist" or "Governance of the Jurist") [that being Ali Hosseini Khamenei c. 2019]. Shia Islam postulates that Islam gives a https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faq%C4%ABh (Islamic jurist) custodianship over people. The constitution of Iran calls for a faqih, or Vali-ye faqih (Guardian Jurist) to serve as the "Supreme Leader" (rahbar-e mo'azzam) of the government. He also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls foreign policy. He is superior to the president [being Hasan Rouhani c. 2019] of Iran (Rayis Jomhur-e Irān) who implements the national economic policies of the country, and who represents the country at diplomatic events.

This flag is displayed at state functions when the Iranian president receives foreign dignitaries or when he participates in public events -- such as in parades. Although this flag is known as the "Joint Chiefs of the Army" flag, it is nicknamed the "Derafsh of Velayat" -- as Iran's first velayat and military commander-in-chief [Ayatollah R. Khomeini c. 1980s] presented it to the Iranian Army ("artesh") --which includes the combined army, air force and navy. So while this derafsh is perceived as a military flag, it also represents the office of the government's civilian leader (velayat) who commands the military. Therefore, it is regarded as the "most important" of all the derafsh or colorful ceremonial flags. The word "Allah" appears at the top of the yellow sun's rays. [In the photo one sees the former Iranian Pres. M. Ahmadinejad bowing to the Velayat flag in respect to the office (velayat) of his boss: the Iranian "Supreme Leader" (rahbar-e mo'azzam), c. Oct. 2007 -- then being Ayatollah Ali Hosseni Khamenei].
Bill Garrison, 30 September 2019

I've seen a photo of the same flag with escort captioned as 'The Honor Guard'; but I don't know whether the Honor Guard are a presidential guard unit, or something else entirely. It's not a straightforward Iranian regimental colour, which does not have the tassels at the corners, and has the national flag placed diagonally in each corner. The central device of a regimental colour appears to be a slightly less elaborate version of the one on display here. Other photos of the Honour Guard are posted here and here.
Ian Sumner, 24 October 2007


Cavalry flags

[Iranian cavalry flag?] image located by Ian Sumner, 24 October 2007

[Iranian cavalry flag?] image located by Ian Sumner, 24 October 2007

I've collected a few pictures of Iranian colours from a number of websites over the years - here are two involving the cavalry.
Ian Sumner, 24 October 2007


Air force colour

[Iranian air force colour?] image located by Ian Sumner, 24 October 2007

I've collected a few pictures of Iranian colours from a number of websites over the years - I guess this might be an air force flag based on the colour of the uniform.
Ian Sumner, 24 October 2007