The Lebanese Cedar (Arze): Meaning, History & Why It's on the Flag
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Ask anyone Lebanese what represents home and there's a good chance they'll say one word: Arze (الأرز) — the cedar. It sits at the center of the Lebanese flag, on the national coat of arms, on coins, and on hoodies and necklaces worn by the Lebanese diaspora around the world. Here's why.
What is the Arze?
“Arze” (also written arz or erz) is the Arabic word for cedar. The tree is the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani), an evergreen that grows high in the mountains of Lebanon and can live for well over a thousand years. Its wide, layered branches give it the shape you see on the flag.
A tree with thousands of years of history
- The Phoenicians built ships and temples from cedar wood and traded it across the Mediterranean.
- Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia prized Lebanese cedar for its strength and fragrance; it appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh.
- The Bible mentions the cedars of Lebanon many times, including in the building of Solomon's Temple.
Centuries of logging left only small groves. The most famous is the Cedars of God (Arz el-Rab) near Bsharri in northern Lebanon, part of the Qadisha Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
Why is the cedar on the Lebanese flag?
The flag adopted at independence in 1943 places a green cedar between two red stripes on a white band. The cedar stands for strength, endurance, holiness and permanence — a tree that has stood on the mountains through empires, wars and hardship. Red is commonly read as the sacrifice of those who died for the country, and white as peace and the snow of Lebanon's mountains.
What the Arze means to Lebanese people today
For Lebanese people at home and abroad, the Arze is a symbol everyone shares, across regions and religions. It stands for:
- Resilience — still standing, whatever comes.
- Roots — a connection to the land, the village and the family.
- Pride — one of the oldest symbols of any nation on earth.
That's why you'll see the cedar on jewelry, tattoos, car stickers and clothing wherever the Lebanese diaspora lives — from Sydney to São Paulo to Detroit.
Wearing the Arze
A Lebanese cedar hoodie or tee is an easy, everyday way to carry home with you — and a favorite gift for family abroad.
- Lebanon Cedar (Arze) Hoodie – the cedar front and center.
- Lebanon Heritage Hoodie and Heavyweight Tee.
- Lebanon Teddy Bear Hoodie with the Lebanese flag.
- Lebanon Flag Mug for your morning coffee.
FAQ
What does Arze mean?
Arze (الأرز) is Arabic for “the cedar” — specifically the Cedar of Lebanon, the national symbol.
When was the cedar added to the Lebanese flag?
The current flag, with the cedar in the center, was adopted in 1943 when Lebanon gained independence.
Where can I see Lebanese cedars?
The best-known grove is the Cedars of God near Bsharri; there are also cedar reserves in the Chouf mountains.
How old are the oldest cedars of Lebanon?
Some trees in the Cedars of God grove are estimated to be well over a thousand years old.