The crescent moon symbol is seen on the flags of different countries. It is usually found in the flags of Muslim countries and contains a star along with the crescent moon on the national flag.
The Crescent shape is a symbol of the lunar phase in the first quarter. It is used as an astrological symbol for the moon and also as the alchemical symbol for silver. The pattern, size and colour of the crescent moon along with the star is different on different flags of the countries.
What is the History of the crescent moon symbol?
The crescent moon shape is believed to be a symbol of the lunar phase in the first quarter of the cycle of the moon. Crescent is formed when a part of a small circle has been removed from the part of a larger circle which leaves the crescent.
It is considered to be an astrological symbol and also the alchemical symbol for the silver.
It is believed that this particular shape has been the representation of the moon deity from the earlier times and has been visible in the sky since as early as 2300 BC.
The Egyptian logograph which represents the moon also has a crescent shape. In addition to this particular fact, the 19th dynasty hieroglyph represents the moon with its lower half-obscured.
The Crescent shape has also been used in the iconography of the ancient near east and was also used in the 8th century BC by the cartage in modern Tunisia.
The crescent was also the symbol of Artemis Diana from the Hellenistic period, who was considered to be the virgin hunter goddess associated with the moon.
Various depictions are also present in the sacred texts and mythology which shows this particular goddess wearing the crescent moon as a part of her headdress.
It is also believed that in the middle ages this particular symbol of the crescent moon was used as an emblem in Persia and used as a legal or astrological symbol in the Zoroastrian religion.
This particular symbol has also been able to found its way into Islamic iconography when the Muslims conquest Persia and the ruler of the Muslim Empire Umar, hung two crescent-shaped ornaments captured from the Sassanid capital in the Kaaba.
List of the Flags Using Crescent Moon Symbol
Given below are the major countries which are using the symbol of the crescent moon in their national flags along with some stars.
1. Turkmenistan
The country Turkmenistan is located in the central Asia region and became independent from the Soviet Union in the year 1991.
Out of the total population of people living in Turkmenistan, 90% are Muslim and the other remaining 10% are eastern orthodox people.
Flag of this particular country is one of the world’s most detailed and elegantly designed flag. It has a lot of features and has a green background with a vertical red stripe which is present on the left side.
The red stripe contains five traditional carpet weaving symbols which are believed to be the representation of the country’s carpet industry and also has a cross olive branch above it which is believed to be the symbol of the country’s neutrality.
In the upper corner of the flag, one can also find a white crescent moon which is a symbol of a bright future and also has 5 white stars, which are the representation of the different regions of Turkmenistan.
2. Tunisia
The country Tunisia is located in the northern part of Africa where 90% population of this country consists of Muslim people.
The meaning 10% population includes people from the religions of Jews, Christian and Baha’i.
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The flag of this particular country has a red background and a white big circle at the centre. Inside the circle, the red crescent moon is seen along with the red star.
It is believed that this flag was made somewhere around 1835 and was inspired by the flag of Ottoman.
In the earlier times, Tanisha was the part of the Ottoman Empire from the late 16th century till the year 1881.
3. Mauritania
The country Mauritania is located in the continent of Africa in the northwestern region. All the people living in this particular country are the followers of Islam or Muslims.
The flag of this country features a green background with a crescent moon and star in the centre which is golden in colour.
The colours of the flag signify the African and Mauritania heritage and also considered as the traditional pan African colours.
The green colour is also considered to be the symbol of hope and the centre gold colour is considered to be the colour of the sands of the Sahara Desert. The star and crescent moon symbol is symbolic of the Islamic heritage of the country.
4. Malaysia
The country Malaysia is located in the Asian continent in the southeast region. Almost 60% of the total population of this country is Muslim.
The remaining population consists of Christians, Buddhist and Hindu people.
Apart from these, some other people are also present in this country who follow Chinese traditional religion, Confucianism and Taoism. Flag of this country is famous by the name of stripes of Glory.
The flag contains 14 horizontal stripes which are red and white and are symbolic of the equal status of the member states and the federal government of Malaysia.
In the corner of the flag, the rectangle can be seen which is symbolic of the unity of the people. Inside the rectangle, yellow crescent moon and star can be seen.
The yellow colour is considered to be symbolic of the royal colours of the Malaysian rulers.
The star has 14 points or edges which signifies the unity of the different member states and the federal government.
5. Azerbaijan
The country Azerbaijan is located in the Asian continent in the southwestern region. It was able to gain its independence from the Soviet Union in the year 1991.
About 93% of the total population of Azerbaijan follows Islam or Muslim religion. The remaining population consists of Russian orthodox or Armenian orthodox people.
The flag of this country consists of three equal horizontal stripes which are green, red and blue. In the centre, a crescent moon can be seen along with the white stars.
The star is a symbol of the Turkish heritage. The green colour is the representation of the religion of Islam and 8 points of the star represent the adventures of the Turkic people.
6. Algeria
Algeria is a country which is located in the African continent in the northern part and gained its independence from the country of France in the year 1962.
About 90% of the population of Algeria consists of Islamic people or Muslims.
The remaining people are either Jewish or Christian. The flag of this country is half green in colour and half white. In the centre, the crescent moon symbol can be seen along with the star, which is red.
The white colour is a symbol of peace and purity and the green colour is believed to be the symbol of hope and the beauty of nature.
The star and crescent shape are symbolic of the faith and the red colour is in the honour of all those people who got killed fighting for the independence of the country.
7. Comoros
Comoros is a group of islands which is present in the African continent in southern region. It is located between Madagascar and Mozambique.
About 98% of the population of these islands are Muslim or Islamic religion and the remaining are Roman Catholics.
The flag of this particular country is relatively new and was adopted in the year 2002.
It features four horizontal stripes which are white, yellow, red and blue along with a crescent-shaped moon and four stars in the left-hand side.
The stars and moon are white and are present in the centre of the green triangle.
8. The Maldives
The Maldives are a group of islands which are present in the Indian Ocean and the south-west direction of India. Almost all the people who are living on these islands are Muslim.
Flag of these islands has a red background which is a symbol of the bravery and the blood which the nation’s heroes have shed over the years.
In the centre of the red background, a green rectangle is present which is symbol of life and prosperity along with the white crescent-shaped moon in the centre, which has the significance of Islamic religion, faith and purity.
9. Pakistan
The most famous flag with the crescent moon shape is of Pakistan. About 96% of the population of Pakistan are Muslims and the remaining are either Hindus or Christians.
The Pakistan flag is predominantly green in colour with a vertical white band present at the edge of the flag. In the centre of the flag, a large Crescent shaped moon along with a star is present.
The star and the moon are white, which is symbolic of the progress and knowledge of the country.
10. Turkey
Turkey is the country which is located on the border of the Asian and the European continent. About 99% of the population of Turkey are Muslims and the remaining population consists of either Jewish or Christian people.
Flag of this particular country was designed way back in the 14th and 15th century when the rule of the Ottoman Empire was prevalent.
The flag features a red background with a white colored crescent-shaped moon and star in the centre, which are symbolic of peace and prosperity.
What is the Symbolism of the crescent moon symbol?
The symbolism of the crescent moon symbol is primarily used to represent the shape of the moon in the lunar phase. It is used to present the waxing or waning lunar phase of the moon in the first quarter.
In the ancient time, the shape of this particular moon was associated with the Diana goddess and represented the female principle while the sun represented the male principle.
In Roman Catholic tradition, this particular crescent-shape was considered to be a part of the Marian iconography and was associated with the woman of the apocalypse.
The most famous representation of Marie as a woman of the apocalypse is present in the version of Guadalupe.
What is the shape of the crescent moon symbol?
The shape of the crescent moon is a type of lune which consists of a circular disc and a portion of another disk removed, from it which finally make the shape of enclosed two circles in the form of arcs, which are intersecting at two points.
The point of intersection is known as horns of the crescent. The word crescent is derived from the present participle of the Latin verb crescere, which has the meaning to grow.
Conclusion
Crescent Moon Symbol is the representation of the shape of the moon during the lunar phase in the first quarter of the full moon cycle. The Muslim countries use the combination of the moon along with the stars on their National flags.
The shape, size and the pattern of the arrangement of the moon and stars are different on each flag. These symbols are being used from many centuries and are also associated with various astrological predictions.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
What is the meaning of Waning moon?
The meaning of Waning moon is the fading away of the full moon after the moon has attained the full structure in the sky. The moon vanishes away slowly, in 15 days and in between this, attains the crescent moon shape.
Why do the Muslim countries use the combination of the moon and the stars on their flags?
The Muslim countries use moon and stars on their national flag as a symbol of peace and justice. Various astrological reasons are also associated with it which results in the changing patterns and combinations in the flags.