Flag of Turkmenistan History
The 18th of May is celebrated as Constitution and State Flag Day. The five stars on the current Turkmenistan flag stand for the Five Pillars of Islam as well as the country’s five provinces. The white crescent on the flag symbolizes Islam. A symbolic depiction of the well-known carpet market in the country is located on a red strip situated to the left on a field of greenery. The Soviet-era flag, which featured a red backdrop and two light blue stripes in the middle, was replaced on September 27, 1992. A revised version was accepted on January 23, 2001.
The Backstory
Turkmenistan’s official flag was the Russian Empire’s until the Russian Revolution. Before the Soviet Union fell in 1991, Turkmenistan had a flag that was akin to those of all other Soviet Republics. Turkmenistan approved a flag on February 19, 1992, that is eerily similar to the one now in use. On February 1st, 1997, an olive branch was presented to symbolize the Turkmen’s passion for peace. The crescent and stars were also relocated, the crescent almost in its present position and the stars in a much more uneven position. In 2001, the green field’s color was changed and its proportions were altered to 2:3 (previously 1:2).
Flag of Turkmenistan Meaning
Design
The flag of Turkmenistan has an official 2:3 ratio. It has five white five-pointed stars in the upper area of the field. To the fly side of the red line is a white waxing crescent moon, which is a common characteristic of Turkic and Islamic iconography. The flag is green with a vertical red stripe at the hoist side that has two crossed olive branches and five carpet patterns layered on top of each other. For many years, the Turkmen have woven expensive carpets for which they are famed using these conventional patterns. Even throughout the Soviet era, a carpet could be seen on the Turkmen coat of arms.
Coat of Arms Inspired Design
The current flag’s design was unquestionably influenced by Turkmenistan’s national emblem or coat of arms. This symbol has an Akhal-Teke horse in the center of a blue disc and is made up of an eight-pointed green star with a golden edge. Five traditional carpet motifs can be seen around the horse on a band of red. Even though the horse and disk are absent, the current flag of Turkmenistan features these carpet designs. The outer edge of the coat of arms is made up of wheat sheaves and seven blossoms, and the Islamic crescent with five stars is positioned above. The current flag design does not include wheat or blossoms, but it does include the crescent and five stars.
Colors:
The four basic hues of the Turkmenistan flag are as follows:
Philippine GreenAmaranth RedWhiteSunglow Yellow
Flag of Turkmenistan Symbolism
It is frequently referred to as the most intricate national flag in the entire world. The colors of the flag are green and red because they have long-held special meanings for the Turkmen. The resilient crescent moon is a representation of the country’s aspiration for a better future. The stars are thought to symbolize Turkmenistan’s five provinces, namely Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, and Mary. Some people also think that each star’s five points correspond to a different condition of matter (liquid, solid, gas, crystal, and plasma) and that the five stars symbolize the five senses. The flag also features designs taken from authentic tribal rugs from the Turkmen people. An example of a handmade floor-covering textile that has its roots in Central Asia is a Turkmen rug. The Choudor, Ersari, Saryk, Tekke, and Yomut subtribes of Turkmenistan are represented by the five different carpet patterns. These are Turkmenistan’s five principal tribes, and they stand for the nation’s cultural and spiritual traditions. These tribes all have distinctive rug patterns. Turkmenistan’s “state of perpetual neutrality” is represented by the wreath that sits underneath the 5 carpet “guls” (motifs).
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