Egypt’s soul is in constant evolution; its streets are a jigsaw-swing of different crowds and its name sounds itself differently in every language. Egypt has developed over the years, taken itself from under monarchies and into modernity – a visual history tracked by its flags. Egyptian flags are the manifest representation of both socio-political and cultural inclinations, and with every pull of the tide, it changes to suit its present ideologies. The Khedivate Flags The first Egyptian flag was introduced during the Mohamed Ali Dynasty, when Egypt was still woven into the fraying Ottoman empire (i.e. Egypt Eyalet). Still, its existence as a Khedivate granted Mohammed Ali and his successors loose reigns and virtual independence. They operated collectively under a series of different, Ottoman-inspired flags, all with a red backdrop and alternating numbers of stars and crescents. Suggested meanings differ. Some scholars note that the three stars and crescents were symbolic of Ottoman victories across the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Others maintain that the prevalence of three connotes Muhammed Ali’s sovereignty over Egypt, Sudan and al-Hegaz. The crescent is assumed from Islamic iconography, and remains a refernce to…
