The flag of Turkey is one of the most recognizable national flags in the world with its bold red background, white crescent moon and star. This iconic design has a long and storied history dating back centuries. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the origins, symbolism, and regulations around the Turkish flag.
A Brief History of the Flag
The crescent moon and star symbol was used as early as the 4th century BCE by the ancient city of Byzantium, which went on to become Constantinople. It was a city dedicated to the moon goddess Diana. A star was later added to represent the Virgin Mary when Constantine I declared Christianity to be the official religion of the Roman Empire.
After the city was captured by the Muslim Ottoman Turks in 1453, they incorporated the existing crescent and star into their plain red battle flags. Over the centuries of the Ottoman Empire there were several different flag designs that all included some variation of the crescent, star and red colors
In 1793, the current Turkish naval ensign was established which was a red flag with an 8-pointed star and crescent. In 1844, the number of points on the star was reduced to 5, creating the modern version of the flag. This design was officially adopted as the flag of Turkey on June 5, 1936 after the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk following the fall of the Ottoman Empire.
The Meaning and Symbolism
The crescent moon and star have long been symbols associated with Islam However, contrary to popular belief, they predate the founding of Islam and were not originally Islamic symbols
As mentioned earlier, they were used by the Byzantines and other ancient Middle Eastern cultures. When the Muslim Turks captured Constantinople, they simply adopted the existing flag. Over time, the crescent and star became absorbed into Islamic symbology and widely used by Muslim nations.
The star is sometimes said to stand for the Virgin Mary, while the crescent moon is an ancient symbol for the moon goddess Diana. The red background represents the blood spilled by Turkish soldiers during war. According to legend, it came from the reflection of the moon and Venus on pools of blood left on battlefields.
So in short, the flag encapsulates both pre-Islamic and Islamic influences. The crescent moon and star recall the early history of Constantinople while the red field represents Turkish military sacrifice and modern national identity.
Rules and Protocol Around the Turkish Flag
The modern Turkish flag was formally defined and standardized with the Turkish Flag Law of 1936. This law sets out specific proportions, colors and measurements for the flag.
The flag is displayed prominently at all Turkish state institutions, including schools, ministries, airports, and so on. It is also hoisted on national holidays and days of celebration. When flying the flag at half mast, it is done so in mourning to commemorate tragic events or to honor the death of an important figure.
There are also rules around how Turkish citizens can display the flag. It is common to see it used during celebrations, holidays, protests, marches and funerals. However, there are laws prohibiting desecration or misuse of the flag. Damaging, burning or disrespecting the flag in speech or actions can be punished.
On the uniforms of Turkish soldiers and other state officials, the flag is displayed on emblems, patches and pins. It is considered disrespectful to use the flag as clothing, drapery or table covers. There are proper protocols for placement of the flag on coffins during military and state funerals.
So the Turkish government and citizens treat the flag with reverence and have codified rules into law on how to properly handle and display their cherished national symbol.
Interesting Facts About the Turkish Flag
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The Turkish national anthem refers to the flag poetically as “the red banner” and “the red flag”
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Turkey celebrates “Flag Day” on June 5th to commemorate the official adoption of the modern flag in 1936
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Turkish Flag Law specifies the exact color red to be used, dimensions, diameter of the crescent moon, and proportions of the white band on the hoist side
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The city of Constantinople was dedicated to the ancient moon goddess Diana, which is why the crescent moon was significant
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The eight pointed star used in early Ottoman naval flags represented the eight states of the empire
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During the Tanzimat reforms of the 1800s, Ottoman territories were required to redesign flags to a European model, leading to the common Ottoman flag
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When flown upside down, the flag signals that the nation is at war
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Damaging or insulting the Turkish flag is illegal under Turkish Flag Law
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The shade of red used in Turkish flags has shifted over time, with early versions being a deeper, blood-colored red
Our digitally printed Turkey flags are produced to a high quality, durable knitted polyester. Generated to the Flag Institute approved design, by us here in the UK. Each flag is hand finished with a double sewn hem for durability, and a headband, rope and toggle suitable for attachment to any standard flagpole.
| Adopted | 1844 |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Design | An off centre white crescent with five-pointed star on a red field |
| Colours | PMS – Red: 186 C CMYK – Red: 0% Cyan, 90% Magenta, 80% Yellow, 5% Black |
The first flag of Turkey came during the rule of the Ottoman dynasty. Even though they had taken control in 1299, there wasn’t an official flag until 1844 during the Tanzimat reformation of the Ottoman Empire. The red field and crescent with eight-pointed star was taken from the 1793 Ottoman Naval Flag. However, the Empire flag was chosen to have a five-pointed star rather than eight.
The Ottoman Navy Flag (1793 – 1844)
The Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1844 – 1923)
After World War One Turkey became a republic and used a modified Ottoman Flag. The flags design is said to represent the moon and a star reflected in a pool of blood during the Battle of Kosovo. The Flag is has various nicknames such as “Al Bayrak”(red flag), “ay yildiz” (moon star), and “al sancak” (red banner) in the national anthem. A lot of the time the flag is hoisted vertically with the crescent moon and star pointed down.
The Flag of Turkey (1923 – Present Day)
The Flag of Turkey (Vertical Hoist) (1923 to Present Day)
The Presidential Flag of Turkey is the red flag of turkey with the Presidential Seal of turkey in the top left hand side. The Presidential Seal of Turkey featured a golden sixteen-pointed star surrounded by sixteen five pointed stars representing the historic Turkic states.
Emblems and Flags of Turkey
The Seal of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey features is the Parliamentary seal for Turkey and was used on the old Turkish Identity Cards. The Seal of the Prime Minister of Turkey is very similar. A red crescent moon and five-pointed star is used on Turkish Passports, ID cards and Visas.
There are two Coats of Arms of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The red Oval shield with gold border that features a golden upward facing crescent moon and five-pointed star and a circular Coat of Arms similar to the Seal of the prime Minister of Turkey. The Turkish Customs Administration has a regular Turkish flag with a green border inside.
The Flag of the Commander-in-Chief of the Turkish Armed Forces is a square with thick red border and red Turkish emblem in the centre.
The Presidential Flag of Turkey
The Presidential Seal of Turkey
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Drawing the flag of Turkey What’s next? #art #creative #painting
FAQ
What does Turkey’s flag symbolize?
The flag, which has no official meaning, is blood red, according to legend, and represents the shed blood of martyrs. The image of the Turkish flag was formed with the crescent moon and a star reflected on these bloods at midnight. This legend is said to have taken place in the First Battle of Kosovo in 1389.
Is Turkey in Europe or Asia?
Turkey, also called Türkiye, country that occupies a unique geographic position, lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe. Throughout its history it has acted as both a barrier and a bridge between the two continents.
What is the symbol of the Turkey?
The crescent and star are from the 19th-century Ottoman flag (1844–1923) which also forms the basis of the present-day Turkish flag. Following the abolition of the Sultanate on 1 November 1922, the Ottoman coat of arms was no longer used and the crescent and star became Turkey’s de facto national emblem.
What is the old name of Turkey?
Anatolia, the ancient name for Turkey, hosted countless civilizations. Some of the most notable that stemmed from the region included Troy, the Akkadian Empire, and the Neo-Hittites.
What is the national flag of Turkey?
Notes and references External links The national flag of Turkey, officially the Turkish flag, is a red flag featuring a white star and crescent on its emblem, a prominent symbol of the Ottoman Emp
What does Turkey’s flag look like?
The flag of Turkey, known as the “Ay Yıldız” (meaning Moon Star), features a striking design with a red background and a white star and crescent. The red
What does the Turkish flag symbolize?
Heck, even I felt that way when I would hear the melodious Muslim mantra multiple times a day emanating from turrets throughout Turkey. Ayoka was full of facts, including explaining the Turkish flag symbolizes that “the sky is the limit.” That philosophy is evident in terms of Turkey’s tourism commitment.