Spanish Protectorate of Morocco (1912-1956)

Last modified: 2001-05-23 by antonio martins
Keywords: makhzen | morocco | spain | solomon seal | magen david | kaliph | vizir | protectorate | star: 6 points (yellow) | star: 6 points (black) | star: 5 points (yellow) | star: 5 points (white) |
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• Description of the flag
• Civil ensign
• Khaliph personal flag
• Grand Vizir’s personal flag

• Morocco

The image of the flag of the Spanish Occupation zone in Morocco in the book of K. A. Ivanov, Drapeaux marocains [iva] is red with a green canton with in the canton the pentagram in yellow. I have a written description of this flag where the pentagram is said to be white, also the fimbration of the canton is not mentioned.
Harald Müller, 14 Jun 1996

I do not know on what date was this flag adopted, but it appears in both Flaggenbuch 1939 and Neubecker 1939. The latter quotes it as «Spanische Marokko 1937», may be this was the adoption date. However the protectorate was established in 1912.
Santiago Dotor, 5 Apr 2000

The flag of the Khaliph of the Spanish Protectorate of Morocco, which can be seen in Calvo and Grávalos, 1983. This was used from 1945 (Reglamento de Banderas, Insignias y Distintivos of 11th October 1945) till the independence of Morocco, 28th March 1956. It is described as «a square flag, green with the Makhzen emblem in yellow». The so-called Makhzen sign happens to be an outlined six-pointed star. Though the star is reminiscent of the shield of David, the word Makhzen has nothing to do with magen or mogen (Hebrew for shield). The Makhzen is the name given in Morocco to the central administration together with the Sultan's governmental suite.

The Arabic term khaliph (deputy) is used here in its strict sense and has nothing to do with the supreme imam of the Muslim community (khalifah rasul Allah or deputy of the messenger of God), a title held by the Ottoman sultans up to this century. During the Spanish protectorate, the Khaliph acted as supreme authority as the Sultan's deputy, under the control of the Spanish High Commissioner.

Santiago Dotor, 25 Sep 1998