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The Flag of Turkey is called Ay Yıldız in Turkish. It means 'moon star'. The flag has a complex origin since it is an ancient design, being also quite similar to the flag of the Ottoman Empire, which featured three crescents closely arranged in a triangular formation on a green or red background. The color red is a prominent color in Turkish history, especially regarding the bloody battles of the Turkish War of Independence. The crescent and star, while generally regarded as Islamic symbols, have long been used in Asia Minor, even quite a long time before the advent of Islam. The flag was originally simply a crescent on a green field, but this was changed in 1793 when Sultan Selim III changed the background to red. In 1844, the star was added. The star symbol actually dates back to the time of Constantine and it was considered a symbol of Mary in his time.
According to legend the following description is given for the flag:
A reflection of the moon occulting a star, appearing in pools of blood after the battle of Kosovo in 1448 , led to the adoption of the Turkish flag by Sultan Murad II according to one legend. Others refer to a dream of the first Ottoman Emperor in which a crescent and star appeared from his chest and expanded, presaging the dynasty's seizure of Constantinople. At least three other legends explain the flag.
Other legends claim that a crescent and star were spotted on the night of the fall of Constantinople to Mehmet II in 1453. See also the Ottoman Flag.
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