The Flag of Turkey
The flag of Turkey, known as the 'Turkish flag' (Türk bayrağı) or 'Red flag' (Al bayrak), is a distinctive symbol featuring a red field with a white star and crescent. The flag's design is deeply symbolic, with the red color representing the blood of martyrs and the star and crescent being ancient symbols of Islam, reflecting Turkey's majority Muslim population.
History
The flag's origins can be traced back to the late Ottoman Empire, but it was officially adopted with slight modifications by the Republic of Turkey on June 5, 1936. The star and crescent design, although predating the Ottomans, became closely associated with the empire and its successors. The transition from the Ottoman flag to the current Turkish flag represents both continuity and change, reflecting the nation's Islamic heritage while embracing a new republican identity. Throughout its history, the flag has symbolized national unity, independence, and the secular ideals of modern Turkey, and it has been a source of pride for the Turkish people.