Each religion has its own symbols. They are not only drawings that the ancient peoples invented because of their own whims or love of art. The images they created are their abstract vision and understanding of God, his essence. This is an allegory that helps people understand the basics of belief, its depth, its connection with the emotional beginning. There are many symbols in our life, but only religious ones reflect a whole range of moral values, and also have great power and undeniable influence on a simple person.
The essence of Islam. The main symbols of religion
Belief is widespread in Asia. About 23% of the people on earth profess Islam, which was founded in the 7th century by the prophet Muhammad. The concept itself is translated as "obedience to God and the world", which already reflects the basic dogmas of religion. Muslims preach humanity and harmony of relations, the right honest life for the benefit of society and the motherland, as well as simplicity, rationality, unity of material and spiritual.
All these rules are described in the holy Qur'an. According to legend, the book on behalf of Allah was transferred to Muhammad by the
archangel Gabriel. Since then, all Muslims have honored the canons described on these pages, even the slightest violation of the rules in Asia is severely punished. The symbol of Islam is the crescent moon and its faithful companion, a
five-pointed star. They invariably flaunt at all mosques - temples, where true believers pray to their Allah. In addition to religious buildings, the symbol of Islam is also often found on the flags of many states: Turkey, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Singapore, Pakistan and others.
Crescent History
When Islam was born in Muslim communities, the symbols of faith had not yet been invented: the idea of the necessity of their existence did not even enter people's heads. During the life of Muhammad, the army used simple plain flags: white, green or black. This went on until 1453, when the Turks seized power in the caliphate and occupied Constantinople. From the local people, they adopted the image of a crescent moon: they began to draw it on flags and decorate mosques for them.
According to another legend, the founder of the Ottoman Empire had a dream in which he saw a huge crescent moon that stretched from one end of the earth to the other. The ruler considered this a good sign and decided to make it a symbol of his dynasty. In these times, the crescent and star became the emblem of military banners and standards. But do not forget that the image of the night luminary was actively used long before the emergence of this religion. For example, the current symbol of Islam - the crescent moon - crowned the head of the
ancient Greek goddess Artemis.
Crescent and Ottoman Empire
As you know, the power of the Turks lasted more than one hundred years. Its inhabitants actively used the symbol of faith in Islam - the crescent, therefore, today many people associate it with this religion. Although at first it remained just the emblem of the Ottomans, and not their beliefs. After all, Muslims over the years vehemently condemned worship of idols, idols, any images. They did not have amulets and talismans, icons and religious attributes. Therefore, in the time of the Ottoman Empire, and in the modern world, the crescent is more a symbol of the Turkish people, as well as crossed sabers and palm trees - the emblem of Saudi Arabia. Muslims in this regard can use different images, the main thing is that they do not contradict the Sharia.
In the Ottoman Empire, they held a holy month. Turks said that he plays an important role in people's lives. Firstly, it illuminates the road at night, in pitch darkness. Secondly, thanks to its modifications, a person can navigate in time. The symbol of Islam - the crescent and the star, its constant neighbor, eventually transformed into the concept of a “spark in the dark," which shows the way to all truly believing people.
The opinion of Muslim scholars
All of them adamantly claim that the symbol of Islam, a crescent, appeared over the Turkish minarets thanks to the ancestors of Alexander the Great. One of them besieged Constantinople, which at that time was called Byzant. Residents were not afraid, but gave a worthy rebuff and expelled the conquerors. The victory coincided with the appearance of the dawn in the sky. They called her a good sign: they began to depict the crescent on sovereign documents as a memory of those significant events for the city. Further, the image of the night luminary was inherited by Caesars, who later ruled the city, the center of Byzantium. Well, after them he went to the Ottoman Empire, which managed to conquer these lands.
Today, many Muslims say: some representatives of their religion believe that the crescent is a symbol of Islam, just like the cross is a symbol of Christianity. But this is a big mistake. True believers, they say, worship only Allah and not pagan images. Therefore, real Muslims building mosques should not spend money on decorating the building with symbols that have nothing to do with their religion.
What their opponents say
As opposed to the previous proposition, some adherents of religion give opposite arguments. The symbols of Islam and their meaning are interpreted in their own way. Like, the five-pointed star is the five pillars of their religion, as well as five obligatory daily prayers. As for the crescent, it is depicted in mosques and minarets, as a symbol of Muslim worship of the lunar calendar.
Discussions between the two opposing sides have been going on for more than a dozen years, and the first group still operates with more convincing arguments. Indeed, if you look deeply into history, you can see that at the very beginning, the founders of Islam and their students did not worship any images and statues. They just walked the world and preached their faith. Even religious buildings were then without decorations and symbols. Unlike Christian churches, mosques have a very poor appearance. In the middle there are no icons, altars and gilding - only mosaics on the walls, flowers near the windows and carpets for the convenience of believers who bowed in prayer.
Where else is the crescent moon used?
The answer to this question is very interesting for all history buffs. Why is the symbol of Islam a crescent? This, as well as the essence of the legends associated with its appearance, the meaning of the emblem and its use - we have already learned. Now we will plunge into the beliefs of ancient peoples, who also worshiped the night sun and worshiped it. For example, Buddhism interprets the crescent as a symbol of human control over the mind. The Egyptians also believed in his power: turned upside down, he was always portrayed next to the goddess Isis.
The Sumerians associated him with the moon god Sin, the Persians - with their Higher powers. But the most interesting thing is that the Christian Celts often depicted him in religious drawings: next to the Virgin Mary. Drawn horns up against the background of the belly of the saint, he most likely symbolized the feminine and fruitful womb. Analyzing all this, it can be argued: to consider the crescent symbol of Islam or not, everyone decides for himself. The main thing is that it is actively used by many religions, and therefore is rightfully the property of all mankind.