Symbols of Turkey. Turkey flag Turkish crescent with star
The state symbols of Turkey - the coat of arms and the flag - contain an image of a crescent and a five-pointed star in white on a red background.
Official interpretation. The history of the emergence of the modern flag of Turkey has several interpretations. The only obvious thing is that the symbolism is inherited from the Ottoman Empire, a state that existed on the territory of today’s Turkey until 1923. Red became the color of the empire in the 14th century, and the Turkish rulers placed the crescent and star on the flag as the main sign of Islam.
History of transformations. It is believed that the red color of the Turkish flag is associated with the banners of the times of Umar, the sultan of the Arab Caliphate in the 7th century and the conqueror of the territories of Palestine, Mesopotamia and Egypt. For a long time, Turkish flags were green, according to the Islamic interpretation of this color as sacred. In 1793, red became the official symbol of Turkey by decree of Sultan Selim III.
The star first appeared only at the beginning of the 19th century and was depicted as seven- or eight-pointed. In 1844 it became five-pointed.
Shortly before its collapse in 1918, the national flag of the Ottoman Empire was a red cloth with a triple image of a five-pointed star and crescent. In 1923, the modern flag of the Turkish Republic was approved. In 1936, the proportions were officially established as 3:2.
Theories and legends of origin. One of the myths connects the origin of symbolism with the year 339 BC. e., when the army of Philip of Macedon besieged Byzantium (modern Istanbul). The population's resistance was long and fierce, and a significant part of the city's residents died. The enemy decided to undermine the fortress at night. Suddenly, a month appeared from behind the clouds, and a star flashed next to it, reflected in the blood of the dead soldiers. The moon illuminated the enemy troops near the walls of the fortress, and the watchmen raised the alarm. Philip's army retreated with heavy losses. In memory of this battle and as a symbol of the liberation of the country from invaders, the crescent and star became the emblem of Byzantium. A few centuries later, in 1453, Turkish troops captured Constantinople, and then the entire territory of the Eastern Roman Empire. The winners borrowed the emblem for their own flag, after which it remained unchanged to this day.
According to another theory, the red color of the cloth corresponds to old Turkish customs and symbolizes “sovereignty” or “power”. The white color of the month and star signifies greatness, strength, purity and justice.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the coat of arms of the Ottoman Empire depicted a green circle and a month against a background of star rays. Underneath was a shield decorated with golden months and stars and topped with the Sultan's turban. On both sides of the coat of arms were depicted the red banner of the Ottoman dynasty and the green banner of Islam, as well as the spoils of war of the empire.
The modern Turkish Republic does not have an official state emblem. Instead, the emblem is often used - a red oval with an image of a vertically positioned white crescent and star. This symbol is similar to the national flag of the country and is supplemented by the official name of the state in Turkish.
Modern symbols are respected among the population of the country and are placed in public and private institutions, as well as in private houses and apartments in Turkey.
In the Republic of Turkey there is no officially approved state emblem. Instead of a coat of arms, many government agencies in Turkey use a semi-official emblem- a red oval, which depicts a vertically oriented crescent and star, similar to those depicted on the national flag of the country, and the official name of the country in Turkish located along the upper edge of the oval. The cover of the Turkish foreign passport depicts a star and crescent, as on the national flag of the country.
In 1925, the Ministry of Education of Turkey (MaarifVekaleti, now Eğ itimBakanl ığı) a competition was organized for the best design of the national coat of arms. The winning project was submitted by Namyk Ismail Bey, with the image of a vertical star and crescent and the silhouette of a wolf located below as a “Turkic national symbol.” However, it never acquired official status.
Coat of arms of the Ottoman Empire
The red color of the Turkish flag originates from Umar, ruler of the Arab Caliphate in 634-644 and conqueror of Palestine, Egypt and Mesopotamia. INXIV V. red became the color of the Ottoman Empire. A crescent with a star is a symbol of Islam.
It is noteworthy that initially the star was inside the month, which is incorrect from the point of view of astronomy (the star in this case was covered by the invisible part of the Moon), therefore at the beginningXX century, according to the requirements of astronomers, it was moved beyond the month.
Some sources indicate that the crescent, considered a traditional symbol of Islam, appeared on Turkish flags in the middleXV V. after the victorious battle of Kosovo, others clarify that it was borrowed from the emblem of Constantinople (now Istanbul) taken in 1453, others recall that the image of a crescent with the star of Jupiter was considered the horoscope of Sultan Osman (reigned at the end XIII - early XIV centuries), was the family emblem of his dynasty.
True, stars appeared on Turkish flags only at the beginningXIX c., then they were seven- and eight-pointed. The five-pointed star appeared in 1844. For a long time, the sacred green color of the Prophet Muhammad prevailed on Turkish flags, only in 1793 Sultan Selim III ordered to legitimize the color red.
By the time of its collapse in 1918, the Ottoman Empire had a flag on the red panel of which the sacred image of a white crescent and a five-pointed star was repeated three times. In 1923, the flag of the Turkish Republic was established, which still exists today. On May 29, 1936, it was officially approved in a ratio of 3:2.
Before the beginning XX century, on the coat of arms of Turkey there was, against the background of military trophies, a shield with a golden month in a green field. The shield was crowned with the Sultan's turban. Decades have passed, Türkiye has become a democratic state, the sultans are a thing of the past in this country. Nowadays, both the coat of arms and the flag of this power have the same design - a golden crescent with a star on a red field. There are many legends about the origin of these symbols. One of them is associated with the distant year 339 BC. e., when the troops of Philip of Macedon, the father of the famous commander Alexander, surrounded the city of Byzantium, as Istanbul was called in ancient times. The siege was long and bloody, the inhabitants desperately resisted, many people died in the struggle for freedom. Then the enemy decided to dig under the impregnable fortress at night. But suddenly, from behind the heavy clouds, a moon shone and a star next to it, repeatedly reflected in the pools of blood near the city walls. The watchmen on the towers noticed the enemy and raised the alarm. Philip's soldiers retreated with heavy losses, and the city was saved. In memory of this event and as a symbol of freedom from invaders, the crescent with a star became the emblem of Byzantium. Centuries later, in 1453, the hordes of the Turkish Sultan captured the city, and then the entire Eastern Roman Empire. The emblem was transferred to the banner of the winners, and since then the crescent with a star has been emblazoned on the Turkish flag.
Each state has its own distinctive symbols established constitutionally or by special law. This is an anthem, a coat of arms and a flag, usually covered in legends and shrouded in stories. The symbols of the state are considered not just an existing formal system. It is a national treasure, including culture.
Symbols give the first idea of the state and what values it adheres to. In an Islamic country like Turkey, there is no such thing as a legally approved state emblem. However, instead of it, in many institutions you can see a semi-official emblem. It looks like a red oval with a vertically oriented crescent and star inside it. The Turkish flag also contains similar symbols. In addition, the official name of the state is written on the upper edge of the oval of the emblem. This symbolism - a star and a crescent - can also be seen on the foreign passports of Turkish citizens.
In 1925, the Ministry of Education of this country announced a competition for the best drawing for the national coat of arms. The winner was the project that depicted vertical stars and a crescent, and below was the silhouette of a wolf, personifying the “Turkic national symbol.” However, despite universal recognition, this version of the coat of arms, like all the others, did not acquire official status.
Meaning and history
The flag of Turkey is a white crescent with a red banner. This bright color of the fabric, according to some sources, came from the ruler Umar, who was the conqueror of Egypt, Palestine and Mesopotamia. Since the fourteenth century, red has symbolized and the star and crescent have always been considered to be the one that preaches the Turkish Republic. And this despite the fact that religion is legally separated from the state here, and the principle of freedom of religion applies.
Inconsistency
Interestingly, the star was originally located inside the month. At the same time, from the point of view of astronomers, this was the wrong decision, since the star in this case was covered by the moon, or rather by its invisible part. Therefore, from the beginning of the twentieth century, according to the requirements of astronomers, the Turkish flag, the pictures of which remained unchanged, was slightly adjusted. The star was nevertheless taken outside the crescent.
However, experts also find some inconsistency in this version, from an astronomical point of view. The crescent on the flag does not represent the one that a person can observe every month from Earth, but its eclipse by an incomprehensible round object.
Origin of the drawings
Some historians argue that the crescent, which has always been traditionally considered a symbol of Islam, appeared on the Turkish flag from the mid-fifteenth century immediately after the victorious battle of Kosovo. Others say that it was borrowed from the emblem of the captured Constantinople. Still others are confident that the image of the star of Jupiter with a crescent are signs of the horoscope of Sultan Uthman, who ruled in the late thirteenth - early fourteenth centuries. These symbols were considered the emblem of the dynasty of his reigning family.
There is another legend about their origin. It is associated with the distant fourth century BC, when the troops of the father of the famous Alexander the Great - commander Philip - besieged the ancient city of Byzantium, present-day Istanbul. The encirclement was long and bloody. Residents resisted desperately, many of them died in the struggle for their freedom. And then the enemy decided to dig under this impregnable fortress in the dead of night.
However, suddenly, from behind the black clouds, a moon and a star began to shine next to it. Their light was reflected many times in the pools of blood spilled under the city walls. The watchmen noticed the enemy from the towers and raised the alarm. Philip's soldiers had to retreat with heavy losses, and the city was liberated. And as a memory of this event, and at the same time as a symbol of freedom, the crescent with a star became the emblem of Byzantium. After a long time, already in 1453, the horde of the Turkish Sultan captured almost the entire Eastern Roman Empire. The emblem was transferred to the winner's banner, and since then the Turkish flag has been a red banner with a crescent and a star.
Blue flag
When planning a vacation by the sea, many are guided by the presence of the Blue Flag. Since 1987, this international award has been awarded annually to those equipped beaches whose water meets quality standards and is therefore safe for swimming. This nomination is managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education - FEE. More than sixty states participate in this program. Türkiye did not stand aside either. The Blue Flag last year brought it to third position among countries in which marine tourism is developed. 389 beaches, which is thirty-two more than the year before, are marked by FEE according to as many as twenty-nine criteria.
Additionally, Turkey ranks seventh in terms of the number of Blue Flags awarded to its marinas.
Each flag has its own unique story, telling the story of its people. The state and the flag are integral parts; there is no state without a flag.
The red flag of Turkey with a white star and crescent appeared in ancient times, but throughout its journey to our time, it has constantly changed. The symbolism of a half moon and a star appeared on the Turkish flag after Turkey converted to Islam. However, the color of the flag has not changed, although green is the typical color for Muslims.
The color of the flag dates back to the times of the Arab ruler Umar, who ruled in the period 634-644 and conquered Palestine, Mesopotapia, and Egypt. The red color of the flag is a symbol of the Ottoman Empire, and the half of the month and the star are symbols of Islam. In those days, no matter what the color of the Muslim flag was, a crescent was always depicted on each of them, in different color shades and sizes, and even three at once. The color of the Turkish flag in the 16th century was snow-white, in the next century it took on a red color, at another time the flag was green. All colors of the cloth originated from the Ottoman Empire.
Regarding the crescent and star, there are claims that at the very beginning of its appearance on the flag, the star was inside the month. Astronomers demanded that the star be moved outside the month, since in their opinion the star is located in the obstructed lunar zone. This change occurred at the beginning of the 20th century.
From some sources it is clear that the symbol of Islam on the flag appeared after the victory of Turkish soldiers on Kosovo, from others that the crescent was copied from the emblem of Constantinople, from others that Sultan Osman's crescent and star were the family symbols of his dynasty. At first, eight- and seven-pointed stars appeared on the Turkish flag, but in the middle of the 19th century, there was only one star on the flag, five-pointed.
There are a large number of legends about the origin of the Turkish flag. One of them tells about a distant time when Philip of Macedon, the father of the great Alexander, with his army besieged the city of Constantinople, now the city of Istanbul. The battle took place with strong resistance from local residents, a lot of blood was shed and a large number of people died. The enemy wanted to enter the city at night through a tunnel, but suddenly the moon shone brightly in the sky and was reflected along with the stars in a large pool of blood. The watchmen discovered the enemy in the light and did not allow him to the walls of the city. The city defended its freedom, and in honor of this event, the star and crescent became the emblem of Byzantium. After many centuries, Turkish warriors captured the city, and since 1453, such symbols have been emblazoned on the Turkish flag.
On the Turkish flag:
White crescent and five-pointed star on a red background
The meaning and history of the Turkish flag:
The crescent and star symbolize Islam. The red background of the Turkish flag originates from Umar, ruler of the Arab Caliphate in 634-644 and conqueror of Palestine, Egypt and Mesopotamia. In the XIV century. red became the color of the Ottoman Empire.
It is noteworthy that initially the star was located inside the month, which is incorrect from the point of view of astronomy (the star in this case was covered by the invisible part of the Moon), therefore at the beginning of the 20th century, according to the requirements of astronomers, it was moved outside the month. Although at present the flag contains some astronomical discrepancy - the “crescent” does not represent the phase of the Moon (which we can observe from the Earth every month), but an eclipse of the Moon by an unknown object (in size and position of the orbit - not the Earth) of a round shape (which is unnatural for asteroids). In a word, such a Moon is impossible to observe from Earth now and was impossible to observe for thousands of years earlier.
Some sources indicate that the crescent, considered a traditional symbol of Islam, appeared on Turkish flags in the mid-15th century. after the victorious battle of Kosovo, others clarify that it was borrowed from the emblem of Constantinople (now Istanbul) taken in 1453, others recall that the image of a crescent with the star of Jupiter was considered the horoscope of Sultan Osman (ruled in the late 13th - early 14th centuries. ), was the family emblem of his dynasty.
True, stars appeared on Turkish flags only at the beginning of the 19th century, when they were seven- and eight-pointed. The five-pointed star appeared in 1844. For a long time, the sacred green color of the Prophet Muhammad prevailed on Turkish flags, only in 1793 Sultan Selim III ordered the legalization of the red color.
By the time of its collapse in 1918, the Ottoman Empire had a flag on the red panel of which the sacred image of a white crescent and a five-pointed star was repeated three times. In 1923, the flag of the Turkish Republic was established, which still exists today. On May 29, 1936, it was officially approved in a ratio of 3:2.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the coat of arms of Turkey featured, against the background of military trophies, a shield with a golden month in a green field. The shield was crowned with the Sultan's turban. Decades have passed, Turkey has become a secular republican state, and the sultans are a thing of the past in this country. Nowadays, both the coat of arms and the flag of this power have the same design - a golden crescent with a star on a red field.
There are many legends about the origin of these symbols. One of them is associated with the distant year 339 BC. e., when the troops of Philip of Macedon, the father of the famous commander Alexander, surrounded the city of Byzantium, as Istanbul was called in ancient times. The siege was long and bloody, the inhabitants desperately resisted, many people died in the struggle for freedom. Then the enemy decided to dig under the impregnable fortress at night. But suddenly, from behind the heavy clouds, a moon shone and a star next to it, repeatedly reflected in the pools of blood near the city walls. The watchmen on the towers noticed the enemy and raised the alarm. Philip's soldiers retreated with heavy losses, and the city was saved. In memory of this event and as a symbol of freedom from invaders, the crescent with a star became the emblem of Byzantium. Centuries later, in 1453, the hordes of the Turkish Sultan captured the city, and then the entire Eastern Roman Empire. The emblem was transferred to the banner of the winners, and since then the crescent with a star has been emblazoned on the Turkish flag.
Turkey flag colors: