The characteristic Taliban flag is based on the monochromatic white ensign of the mujahideen, the religious extremist group that fought in the 1980s and 1990s against the Soviet Union, and that would lead to the defeat of the Eurasian power of that time. The same dates from the taking of Kabul in 1996. Some time later the  shahāda, or Islamic profession of faith, which is the declaration of faith in one God (Allah), in accordance with the Islamic faith and the teachings of Muhammad. The meaning of the inclusion of this phrase in the flag is very similar to that of other similar flags of Islamic confessional countries, such as Saudi Arabia.

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Despite the above, the forces opposing the Taliban regime have maintained the symbology of the overthrown Islamic republic, including the flag, which was adopted on January 4, 2004 and would later be modified on August 19, 2013, together with the new Afghan Constitution, consisting of three vertical stripes in black, red and green, including the state emblem in white in the center. These national colors, first used in 1928, represent the past, the struggle for independence, and progress, respectively. This flag has almost always had the coat of arms (which has varied considerably) and the black-red-green stripes (in different positions and attributed meanings). From independence until October 1978 the flag had a 2:3 ratio, restored with the current one, and between October 1978 and until 2004 a 1:2 ratio. In the emblem a mosque (with two flags) is represented with the minbar and the mihrab on which the takbir (الله أكبر, Allahu Akbar, "Allah is great") is located, a small rising sun and the shahada; below appears the year 1298 of the Persian calendar (equivalent to 1919 of the Gregorian calendar, year of the proclamation of independence) and the word افغانستان ("Afghanistan") in a ribbon that intertwines the crown of ears of wheat.