Black Standard

In Shi'a Islam, the Black Standard is a messianic symbol. The tradition reports Muhammad said that the advent of the Mahdi would be signaled by 'Black Standards' proceeding from the north-eastern Iranian province of Khorasan. This may be part of the reason why black was adopted as the color of the Abbasid dynasty, since the Abbasids sought to attract Shi`ite support in their efforts to overthrow the Umayyads.

Bábís flying the Black Standard

The Bábí leader Mullá Husayn-i-Bushru'i raised the Black Standard in his westward march from Mashhad starting July 21 1848 to proclaim the Báb's message. The people of Barfurush confronted the march and a series of battles ensued. The Bábís stopped and built the fort Shaykh Tabarsi which developed into one of the most significant battles of the Bábí religion. It is reported the Black Standard flew above the fortress.

References

*cite book|author=Smith, Peter|year=2000|title=A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith|publisher=Oneworld Publications, (Sales and Editorial), 185 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7AR|id=ISBN 1-85168-184-1