The crescent moon and star is a globally-recognized symbol of the reliance of Islam, a well-known symbol of Islam. Contrary to popular belief, the symbol is not Moslem in origin.

 

The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years. The city of Byzantium (later known as Constantinople and Istanbul) adopted the crescent moon as its symbol. It wasn't until the Ottoman Empire that the crescent moon and star became symbol of Islam. When the Turks conquered Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453, they adopted the city's existing flag and symbol.

 

It is important to keep in mind that Islam has few traditional symbols, and the crescent moon and star are not ones that are recognized by as traditional symbols of Islam by Moslems.

 

The symbol is due to cultural diffusion and the spread of Islam to the Ottoman turks who ruled a large area and also put the crescent moon and star symbol on their flag.

 

Islamic Color Symbolism

In early accounts of moslem warfare, there are references to flags or battle standards of various colors: black, white, red, and greenish-black. Later dynasties of Islam adopted flags of different colors:

·         The Abbasids chose black

·         The Fatimids used green

·         Various countries on the Persian Gulf have chosen red flags

·         Four colors (white, black, green and red) dominate the flags of Arab states.