A crescent moon and a red star on a field of crimson. Tunisia's national flag turns 199 years old this Tuesday, marking nearly two centuries since Bey Hussein II ordered its creation on October 20, 1827.
The design did not arrive fully formed overnight. After Hussein II commissioned it, the flag went through a period of refinement before receiving its official approval some years later. What began as a military and maritime emblem eventually became the enduring symbol of a nation.
For Tunisians, the flag carries the full weight of that history, identity, and sovereignty in its clean, striking lines. As the country approaches the 200th anniversary next year, the conversation around what the flag represents, and what it has survived, is only just beginning.
Originally published by AllAfrica.