It is easy for me to recognize the flags of the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Denmark and more. I am also not bad with the flags of South America and Africa. But I sometimes struggle to identify the recently created flags of many “new” nations (Croatia, Macedonia and Ukraine) and I can get some of the lesser known countries’ flags mixed up with each other.Have you ever wondered why the Turkish flag is a white star and crescent on a red background? The crescent and star -- “ay (hilal) ve yıldız” in Turkish -- is an old Ottoman symbol (just look at the tops of mosques and old emblems as you walk around Topkapı Palace and other buildings). The story goes that when Atatürk was thinking about the new flag for Turkey he was on a battlefield red with rivers of blood. It was nighttime and, as he looked down, the moon and a star were reflected in the crimson blood of the Turks who had given their lives on the battlefield. And so the flag of the dynamic new republic was born.
Be that as it may, the crescent moon and crimson flag motif holds a precious place in the hearts of Turks. Just look at many of the surnames chosen by family elders during the euphoria of the early Republican era -- Albayrak (”red flag”), Ayyıldız (”moon and star”) and Hilaloğlu (”son of the crescent”).
Of course every foreign visitor to Turkey wants to show respect to the flag of another nation. Disrespect for a flag is a sign of contempt throughout the world -- look at frequent scenes on Al-Jazeera TV of angry mobs burning the US flag, or the burning of the Danish flag at the height of the Mohammed cartoon controversy -- and no visitor wants to cause pain or dishonor their hosts. But did you know that respect for the Turkish flag is laid down by Turkish law?
If you are by the pool you may see someone wearing a Union Jack T-shirt, or another person in stars-and-stripes swimming shorts. Have you ever wondered why you don’t see a Turk in a crescent-and-star outfit?
The Turkish Flag Directive specifies the measurements of the flag, the size of the crescent and star, and their exact position on the specific shade of crimson background. Only a certain number of factories are licensed to make Turkish flags and the directive includes rules banning people from hanging flags that are dirty, torn or faded.
Flags may not be used “for any purpose that will damage their spiritual value” -- pretty much a catch-all definition. Apart from official swearing-in ceremonies, the Turkish flag may not be draped over a table as a tablecloth or hung from a lectern.
As it is illegal for the Turkish flag to be placed somewhere where people may sit or tread on it, you will not be able to buy a cushion, bed-spread or carpet with the Turkish flag design on it.
The Turkish Flag Directive also bans wearing the flag as clothing or uniform. If you can’t wear the flag as an outer-garment, you definitely can’t have patriotic underpants like those on sale in many countries!
Even balloons with the flag design on them became the center of controversy a number of years ago. On a TV show that was celebrating Republic Day, the famous Turkish host Hülya Avşar got into hot water for playfully kicking one of the balloons. This was deemed a crime under an article banning disrespectful behavior toward the flag in word or deed.
So be careful that you don’t cause unintentional offense and mind how you hang the Turkish flag -- don’t let it droop on the floor or use one as a throw on your couch. If invited to a fancy dress party, arriving dressed in the flag is not a good idea.
I started with an observation about an international school and flags. Every Friday afternoon, if I am at a book table in a Turkish school, I enjoy witnessing the flag ceremony. A special part for me is seeing the pride of the children who are chosen to hold the flag in front of their assembled schoolmates while the national anthem is being sung.
And of course the anthem itself pays homage to the flag, the first verse saying: “Don’t be afraid, this red flag will fly in the dawn, until the very last hearth of our homeland is extinguished.”
Note: Keep your questions and observations coming: I want to ensure this column is a help to you, Today’s Zaman’s readers. Email: c.mcpherson@todayszaman.com
