What plant is shown on the national flag of Lebanon?

Lebanon’s national flag shows a green cedar tree.

The flag has two horizontal red bands separated by a wider white band, with the cedar centered in the white area. The cedar is the Cedar of Lebanon, a tree strongly associated with the country’s mountains, history, and cultural heritage. The green tree stands for endurance, longevity, and hope.

Lebanon adopted the present design on 7 December 1943, shortly after independence from the French Mandate. The red bands are commonly explained as representing the blood shed for independence, while the white band is linked with peace and the snow of Lebanon’s mountains.

The tree is not an olive or palm, even though both are important in the Mediterranean region. The cedar has a particularly prominent place in Lebanese history and appears in ancient texts, religious references, and national symbolism.