I have a question and I dont know if it has been asked before.
I have noticed that the crescent has often been used to represent Islam(whether it be by muslims or non-muslims).
When and where did this usage of the crescent to represent Islam come about?
As far as I know, and have been taught, this is not a correct “usage”.
Any comments are welcome.
Thank you.
Peace,
OliveBranch
interesting question, lets see of someone has a reply to it.
The very first flag of islam in the times of prophet mohammad, was a black rectangular flag, with the * kalima * written on it.
Later on, when the flag of saudi arabia was designed, the jehad group added a sword beneath the * kalima * thus making sure everyone takes islam as religion of war and bloodshed.
The crescent however, has been associated to islam, no doubt, and some have indeed regarded the crusades as the wars of the crescent and the cross.
Those branches of ** red cross ** operating in muslim countries are called ** red crescent **.
if someone does not come up with a reply, i'd go and check out myself, and if i get something i'd be pleased to post it.
while you're checking...anyone know why green is the color for muslims?
dear kg,
green colour is "supposed to be" for muslims.it has been associated to islam only in the recent past, when saudi arabia had a green flag.
Original islamic flag was ** black ** in colour, had a * kalima * on it. and no swrod!
"the two are signs of Tanit - a goddess from the semitic part of the Roman Empire. I suspect the symbol must have been islamised."
"It is of interest that the moon and star appear on many coats of arms in countries like Hungary, indicating service in crusades (probably against Turks). In fact, my guess is that the symbols came about with the Turks; the Arabs don't seem to have adopted them much (Tunisia and Algeria excepted)."
BACKGROUND:
The Star and Crescent signifies concentration, openiness and victory, as well as sovereignty and divinity. According to tradition, in 339 BC a brilliant waxing moon save Byzantium ( now Istanbul) from attack by Philip of Macedon. To mark their gratitude, the citizens adopted the Crescent of Diana as the city's emblem.
When the city became the Christian Constantinople in 330 BC, its Crescent assumed the significance of an attribute of the Virgin Mary.
RISE OF THE TURKS:
In 1299, conquering what is now Turkey, Sultal Osman has a vision of a Crescent Moon streching over the world; it thus became a symbol of the Ottorman dynasty, and when Constantinople fell to Muhammad II in 1453, The Crescent came to represent both Islam and the Turkish empire.
The star was added by Sultan Selim III in 1793 ( its five points being established in 1844)."
This information found in "Signs & Symbols, page 42, by Clare Gibson and is available from Barnes & Noble Books. The ISBN number is 0-7607-0217-9