Each state has its own distinctive symbols established by constitutional or special law. This is a hymn, coat of arms and flag, covered, as a rule, with legends and shrouded in stories. The symbolism of the state is considered not just a valid formal system. It is a national treasure, including culture.
Flag and coat of arms of Turkey
Symbolism gives the first idea of the state, of what values it adheres to. In such an Islamic country as Turkey, there is no legally approved state coat of arms as such. At the same time, in many institutions you can see a semi-official emblem instead. It looks like a red oval with vertically oriented crescent and star inside. The flag of Turkey contains similar symbols on itself. In addition, the official name of the state is written on the top edge of the oval of the emblem. This symbolism - a star and a crescent - can be seen on the passport 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. He won the project, which 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, as well as all the others, did not acquire official status.
Meaning and History
The flag of Turkey is a white crescent with a
five-pointed star on a red banner. This bright color of the fabric, according to some reports, came from the ruler of the
Arab caliphate Umar, who was the conqueror of Egypt, Palestine and Mesopotamia. Since the fourteenth century, red has also symbolized the
Ottoman Empire. The star and crescent have always been considered
symbols of Islam, which is preached by the Republic of Turkey. And this is despite the fact that the religion is legislatively separated from the state, and the principle of freedom of religion applies.
Mismatch
Interestingly, the star was originally located within a month. At the same time, from the point of view of astronomers, this was a wrong decision, since the star in this case was covered by the moon, or rather its invisible part. Therefore, since the beginning of the twentieth century, according to the requirements of astronomers, the flag of Turkey, whose pictures have remained unchanged, has been slightly adjusted. The star was nevertheless taken out of the crescent.
However, specialists in the present version find some, from the point of view of astronomy, discrepancy. The crescent on the flag does not represent the phase of the moon that a person can observe every month from the Earth, but its eclipse by an incomprehensible round object.
The origin of the drawings
Some historians claim that the crescent moon, which has always been traditionally considered a symbol of Islam, appeared on the Turkish flag since the mid-fifteenth century immediately after the victorious battle of Kosovo. Others say that it is borrowed from the emblem of Constantinople captured in 1453 . Still others are sure that the image of the star of Jupiter with a crescent is the sign of the horoscope of the Sultan of Usman, who ruled at the end of the thirteenth - beginning of the fourteenth centuries. These symbols were considered the emblem of the dynasty of his reigning family.
There is another legend about their origin. It is connected with the distant fourth century BC, when the troops of the father of the famous Alexander of Macedon, commander Philip, besieged the ancient city of Byzantium, present-day Istanbul. The environment was long and bloody. Residents fought fiercely, many of them died in the struggle for their freedom. And then the enemy decided deep in the night to dig under this impregnable fortress.
However, suddenly, because of the black clouds, the month shone and the star next to it. Their light was reflected many times in pools of blood spilled under the city walls. The sentinels noticed from the towers of the enemy and raised the alarm. The soldiers of Philip had to retreat with great losses, and the city was liberated. And as a memory of this event, and at the same time as a symbol of freedom, a crescent moon with a star became the emblem of Byzantium. After a lot of time, already in 1453, the horde of the Turkish sultan captured almost the entire Eastern Roman Empire. The emblem was transferred to the banner of the winner, and since then the flag of Turkey is 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, which means it is safe for swimming. This nomination is managed by the FEE. More than sixty states participate in this program. Turkey did not stand aside. Last year, the Blue Flag brought it to the third position among countries in which sea tourism is developed. 389 beaches, thirty-two more than the year before last, were marked by the FEE according to a whole twenty-nine criteria.
In addition, Turkey is in seventh place in terms of the number of Blue Flags awarded to its marinas.