The national flag of Turkey known as the Turkish flag or Türk bayrağı is one of the most recognizable country flags in the world. This iconic red flag features a white star and crescent moon in its center, a prominent symbol of the Ottoman Empire. While this Islamic symbol is strongly associated with Turkey, it has no overt religious meaning on the national flag today.
History and Symbolism
The origins of the star and crescent symbol are shrouded in myths and legends. Some stories claim it represents a moon and star reflecting in a pool of blood after a historic battle. Other theories link it to ancient Turkic tribes and kingdoms. However the emblem only came into widespread use during the late Ottoman Empire starting in the 18th century.
In 1844, the last ruling Ottoman sultan officially adopted the star and crescent on a red field as the empire’s national flag. This iconic design flew over the Ottoman realm until its dissolution after World War I, when the new Republic of Turkey was formed in 1923. The Turkish authorities kept the Ottoman imperial flag to honor this heritage, only standardizing proportions in a 1936 law.
The flag is nicknamed “Red Banner” or “Red Flag” in Turkish, emphasizing the vibrant red field. This brilliant crimson red represents blood shed by Turkish soldiers and sacrifices made by the nation. The white star and crescent are ancient Turkic symbols of good fortune. Together on the red background, these elements create a memorable and meaningful flag.
Design and Specifications
The Turkish flag has a width-to-length proportion of 2 3 making it longer than it is wide. The central white star is composed of five symmetrical points. The star is surrounded by a white crescent moon shape that points leftward on the flag.
By law, the precise placement and size of the moon and star are standardized. The crescent moon extends about 3/8 across the flag’s width, with the star shifting slightly left of center. The emblem’s diameters also follow set proportions relative to the overall flag dimensions.
The defined shades are a bright red and bright white. In technical specifications, the red is a vivid crimson at #E30A17 hex code. The white is a pure white at #FFFFFF hex code. No other colors are permitted in the classic Turkish flag design.
Usage and Display
As the proud national symbol, the Turkish flag appears prominently on both government buildings and private homes. The flag is flown atop schools, military bases, bridges, airports, and other public facilities. Government officials, soldiers, and many citizens wear the emblem on their uniforms or lapels.
Special national holidays prompt mass public displays of the flag in celebrations. The deaths of important leaders are marked by flying the flag at half mast. For military and state funerals, the flag ceremonially drapes coffins. Football victories also inspire waving the red national banner.
In Turkey and Northern Cyprus, the Turkish flag customarily hangs vertically with the moon and star pointing down. This practice sets it apart from similar flags like those of Tunisia and Pakistan that fly horizontally. Respectful flag etiquette is strictly enforced to honor this treasured national icon.
Enduring Symbol of Turkey
With its bold red field and graceful white moon and star, the Turkish national flag is an enduring symbol of the country’s heritage. For over 175 years through the Ottoman Empire and Turkish Republic, this distinctive design has flown high as a source of national pride and unity. The flag’s rich history and culture make it an iconic emblem recognized around the world.
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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| 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.
The Origin of The Turkish Flag. | | The Short History of The flag of Turkey.
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