Flag of Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan

Turkmen: Türkmenistanyň baýdagy Түркменистаның байдагы
Use	National flag
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	February 19, 1992 (Ratio 1:2) January 24, 2001
Design	A green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls stacked above two crossed olive branches; a white waxing crescent moon and five white five-pointed stars appear in the upper field, to the fly side of the red stripe
Use	Presidential standard
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	September 27, 1992 (Ratio 1:2) February 2007

The flag of Turkmenistan (Turkmen: Türkmenistanyň baýdagy, Түркменистаның байдагы) was adopted on January 24, 2001.

History

The flag on a Turkmenistan postage stamp, 1992.

The most detailed national flag in the world, it features a green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs) stacked above two crossed olive branches similar to those on the flag of the United Nations; a white waxing crescent moon, typical of Turkic and Islamic symbology, and five white five-pointed stars appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe.

The green and red colors appear in this flag because they have been venerated historically by the Turkmen. The waxing crescent moon symbolizes the hope of the country for a shining future and the stars represent the five provinces (welayatlar) of Turkmenistan – Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, and Mary.

The five traditional carpet designs along the hoist represent the five major tribes or houses, and form motifs in the country's state emblem and flag. These Turkmen tribes in traditional order (as well as top to bottom) are Teke (Tekke), Yomut (Yomud), Saryk (Saryq), Chowdur (Choudur), and Arsary (Ersary). The middle design may also represent the Salyr (Salor), a tribe that declined as a result of military defeat before the modern period.

The wreath was added against the rules of heraldry, breaking up the carpet pattern. It was added as an afterthought to represent the "status of permanent neutrality", which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 12, 1995.

Before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Turkmenistan had a flag similar to all other Soviet Republics; see Flag of the Turkmen SSR. After independence in 1991, Turkmenistan adopted a flag very similar to the current design, on February 19, 1992. However, the designs on the left were different. In 1997, an olive branch was added to symbolize the peace-loving nature of the Turkmen people. This version is now the current version.

Historical flags

• 
  The flag of the Russian Empire was the official flag of Turkmenistan until the Russian Revolution.
• 
  Flag of the Turkmen SSR (1926–1937)
• 
  Flag of the Turkmen SSR (1937–1940)
• 
  Flag of the Turkmen SSR (1940–1953)
• 
  Flag of the Turkmen SSR (1953–1973)
• 
  Flag of the Turkmen SSR (1973–1991) and also used from 1991 to 1992
• 
  Flag used from 1992 to 1997
• 
  Flag used from 1997 to 2001

Military flags

• 
  Flag of the Ground Forces
• 
  Flag of the Air Forces
• 
  Flag of the Naval Forces

See also

• Emblem of Turkmenistan
• Flag of the Turkmen SSR

References

• Turkmenistan Pages by Ekahau
• Photos of yurts and fabrics at TurkoTek.com (rug enthusiasts' website)

External links

• Turkmenistan at Flags of the World
• Turkmenistan - vexillographia