X Swaps Iranian Emoticon for Pre-Revolution Lion and Sun Flag
Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, made a notable change to its Iranian flag emoticon early Saturday morning. In a move reflecting ongoing protests, the platform replaced the current flag with the pre-revolution lion and sun flag of Iran.
The Flag Update
The pre-revolution flag served as Iran’s official banner before 1979. It features horizontal stripes of green, white, and red. At its center is a depiction of a sword-wielding lion in front of a sun.
Prior to this update, X displayed the flag established by the Iranian regime following the Islamic revolution. Introduced in 1980, this flag also comprises green, white, and red stripes but features a red emblem of the regime. Lines of Arabic text declaring “Allahu akbar” adorn its center stripe.
Implementation of the Change
The update was initiated in response to user requests. Nikita Bier, X’s Head of Product, acknowledged the request on Friday, stating, “Give me a few hours.” By Saturday morning, the emoticon change was implemented across the platform, replacing the regime’s flag with the symbolic lion and sun motif.
- The update applied not only to individual accounts but also to official Iranian regime accounts.
- This change marks the first visible sign of solidarity with anti-regime protests ongoing for 15 consecutive days.
Significance of the Change
Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last Shah, has played a crucial role in inspiring anti-regime demonstrators. From abroad, he advocates for international intervention as the Iranian authorities suppress protests violently.
The emoticon update on X serves as a digital reflection of the evolving conversation around Iran’s national identity. As protests continue, symbols of pre-revolution Iran are being revitalized in various forms, signaling a significant moment in the nation’s history.
