Flag of Turkmenistan

The national flag of Turkmenistan is a symbol of the country's identity and culture. It features a white crescent moon and five stars, which represent the five regions of Turkmenistan and the Five Pillars of Islam. The green background of the flag holds a design that reflects the country's famous carpet weaving tradition. This flag was introduced on 27 September 1992, replacing the Soviet-era flag that was used before. A slightly changed version with a different shape was officially adopted on 24 January 2001. Each part of the flag has a special meaning that helps tell the story of Turkmenistan and its people. State Flag and Constitution Day is celebrated on 18 May to honor this important national symbol.

Design

The flag of Turkmenistan has a green background with a vertical red stripe on the left side. On this red stripe are five traditional carpet designs called "guls" and two crossed olive branches, similar to those on the flag of the United Nations. On the right side of the red stripe, there is a white crescent moon and five white stars.

Although there is no official explanation, many believe the green color stands for life and peace, while the white crescent moon represents a clear sky. The five stars are thought to represent the five provinces of Turkmenistan: Ahal, Balkan, Daşoguz, Lebap, and Mary. The five carpet guls on the flag symbolize the five main tribes of Turkmenistan: the Teke, Yomut, Saryk, Chowdur, and Ersari.

History

Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

Main article: Flag of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

The first flag of the Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic was adopted in 1926. It featured a red field with a gold-bordered red star and golden hammer and sickle in the top left corner. Over the years, the design changed several times, including updates in 1937, 1940, 1953, and 1974. These changes adjusted the symbols and layout of the flag.

Modern flag

After Turkmenistan gained independence in 1991, a new national flag was chosen in 1992. This flag includes a white crescent moon and five stars on a green background, representing the country's five regions and the Five Pillars of Islam. In 1997, an olive branch was added to symbolize Turkmenistan's neutrality. In 2001, the flag's proportions were changed. In 2008, a very tall flagpole was built in Ashgabat, holding a large flag that was recorded in the Guinness World Records.

Flag	Date	Use	Description
	1926–1937	Flag of the Turkmen SSR	A plain red field with a golden hammer and sickle and a gold-bordered red star in its canton
	1937–1940		A plain red field with the golden letters TSSR in its canton
	1940–1953		A plain red field with the golden letters ТССР in its canton
	1953–1974		A red field with two blue bars transversing it in the middle. A golden hammer and sickle and a gold-bordered red star are placed in its canton
	1974–1991		Similar to the previous flag of the Turkmen SSR, with the golden hammer and sickle, and gold-bordered start placed to border the hoist
	1991–1992	Flag of Turkmenistan
	1992–1997		A green field with a 1:2 proportion. A vertical red stripe is near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls. A white crescent moon and five white five-pointed stars are placed to the right of the stripe
	1997–2001		Similar to the previous flag, with a golden olive branch added to the bottom of the red stripe
	2001–present		Similar to the previous flag, with a lighter shade of green and a 2:3 proportion