The Saudi flag, the palm tree, the falcon, the Arabian horse, and the market are five important symbols that reflect a lively heritage as the “Saudi Founding Day” logo. These are more than symbols because they carry a rich history of how the Kingdom was unified in 1727.
Palm Tree
For centuries, the palm tree has proven itself one of the essential natural resources. It has set roots in the Kingdom and occupied a prominent position in which it was able to be a necessary part of identity, culture, and heritage. It is also a source of income as dates of different types are produced in Saudi Arabia.
Dates, the fruit of palm trees, are a popular source of nutrition with it being found across households around the world. The sweet fruit has later grown to become a familiar ingredient to Saudi dishes.
More than dates, the palm tree is versatile in its benefits. For a long time, Saudis used parts of the tree to make mats, baskets, tables, and many other items that helped their day to day lives.
The Arabian Horse
The relationship between Arabs and horses is deeply rooted in history. The Arabian Peninsula is home to the first Arabian horse according to archaeological findings. More than 9,000 years ago, horses were domesticated in the region, becoming one of the key modes for mobility.
Wars were also fought on horses. Horses and equestrianism have been closely associated with the history of the Arabian Peninsula.
Saudi imams have been keen on raising and taking care of the best breeds of Arabian horses. Moral and material value were attributed to the animals.
Omar Ibn Bishr, Saudi author and historian, recalls in one of his books entitled “Glory in the History of Najd” how Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz, the third ruler of the First Saudi State, used to own over a thousand horses.
The interest of the imams of the first Saudi state in purebred Arabian horses played a role in saving the breed in the region. Many stables were built by tribes and large families throughout Saudi Arabia. This contributed to the improvement and preservation of purebred Arabian horse breeds in the Arabian Peninsula.
Falcons
Falconry is one of the famous sports and hobbies in the Arabian Peninsula. In general, humans hunt either for a living or for recreation. Hunting has been associated with Arabs since ancient times, and falconry was seen as the sport of kings, leaders and notables.
During the times of the first Saudi state, falcons were a precious gift given among tribal elders as a symbol of reconciliation in resolving disputes.
Market
The market in the first Saudi state consisted of shops or tables laid out on the ground, on which goods were displayed.
During the era of its imams, the state witnessed the height of its geographical and political expansion, and reached its maximum strength and glory, and the sources of income and wealth of the residents of the Diriyah capital were numerous, reflecting on commercial markets.
Many citizens of the first Saudi state worked in trade. This was done besides farming and agriculture.
Markets in the first Saudi state were made up from shops lined up in wide streets next to the palace and the mosque.
The Flag
The current Saudi flag is an extension of the flag of the first Saudi state, and it passed through several stages until it evolved into its current form.
During the reign of King Abdulaziz, the flag of the first Saudi state was adopted with some simple modifications. A sword was added under the Shahada, the Arabic inscription of the Islamic creed. Other than the sword and inscription, which are featured in white, the flag is entirely green.
