Ottoman Empire

History

The red flag with crescent and star became the official Ottoman flag in 1844. The Ottoman Empire dissolved after World War I, and Turkey inherited the flag design, continuing it almost unchanged as the Republic of Turkey's flag after 1923.

Colors

Red, White

Red has been the colour associated with Ottoman power since the medieval period; the crescent and star are Islamic symbols.

Symbols

Crescent moon and star on red field

The crescent and star are traditional symbols of Islam and of Turkish identity, predating the Ottoman Empire itself.