The red, yellow, and green Kurdistan flag has been raised by all Kurds in Kurdistan, regardless of their tribe or region. The flag was first revealed during Kurdish rebellions under the Ottoman rule. It was again raised during the Kurdistan Republic's break from Iranian rule. Again Kurdish people under Iraqi occupation have raised the flag in search of a free Kurdistan. The flag symbolizes a Kurdish right for self-determination and independence from the occupiers of Kurdistan, as well as the celebration of a new day for the Kurdish people.

The Kurdistan National Flag was first introduced in the 1920s following the Sheikh Said Rebellion. The largest nationalistic rebellion under Kurdish leader, Sheikh Said, lasted from 1880 to 1925, and was an attempt to break away from the Ottoman empire to liberate the people of Kurdistan and establish an independent state. During this period, the leaders of the Independence movement (also known as Xoybun) first introduced the flag. In 1920, the Kurdistan flag was presented in Paris during a peace conference, and the diplomacy under General Sharif Pasha, led to the Treaty of Sevres, which clearly stated the Kurdish rights for an Independent Kurdistan. Due to pressure on the European powers by the opposing Turkish state, the treaty was superceded by another treaty with no mention of Kurdistan.

In 1946, during the Soviet occupation of Iran, the Kurds successfully established an independent state lasting one year. Under the leadership of Qazi Mohammad, the Kurds broke away from Iranian rule and established the Kurdistan Republic of Mahabad (Dewletî Cumhurîye Kurdistan). The red, yellow, and green Kurdistan National flag was once again raised and declared the offcial flag of the Republic. The Kurdistan Republic was defeated after a year of self-rule when Iran invaded once again.

Today, the flag has been once again raised in Southern Kurdistan as a call for liberation of the Kurdish people. The flag is a symbol for all the Kurds and the nation of Kurdistan, the many lives that have been lost, and the struggle for freedom and Kurdish rights.

The Kurdistan National Flag is usually represented by three colors (red, yellow and green) but also contains white. The top stripe is red, the middle is white, and the bottom is green. The yellow sun in the middle signifies a new day and life for the people of Kurdistan. The sun has 21 rays, which represents the number of Avestan Nasks, the holy writings of Zoroaster (Zerdest), an ancient religion practiced among Kurds.