The National Flag of Kuwait used between 1956 and 1961 has a scarlet field with a narrow white vertical stripe at the hoist - the scarlet edge adjoining this stripe being wavy. The word "KUWAIT" in Arabic, also in white, is superimposed along the horizontal center line of the field. There are four versions of this flag: two have rectangular fields and two triangular. One of each of these pairs is charged with the Arabic shahada in white, positioned along the aforesaid wavy edge. The triangular pattern without the inscription is used by most of the subjects. The rectangular one is used for maritime usage.