Turkmen flag

Turkmenistan

Name	Turkmen: Türkmenistanyň baýdagy Түркменистаның байдагы
Use	National flag
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	February 19, 1992 (Ratio 1:2) January 24, 2001
Design	A green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls stacked above two crossed olive branches; a white waxing crescent moon and five white five-pointed stars appear in the upper field, to the fly side of the red stripe
Variant flag of Turkmenistan
Use	Presidential standard
Proportion	2:3
Adopted	September 27, 1992 (Ratio 1:2) February 2007

The national flag of Turkmenistan (Turkmen: Türkmenistanyň baýdagy, Түркменистаның байдагы) features a white crescent (symbol of Islam) and five stars; those stars represent the five regions of the country. Placed upon a green field is a symbolic representation of the country's famous carpet industry. It was introduced as the flag of Turkmenistan on September 27, 1992 to replace the Soviet-era flag which consisted of a red background with two light blue bars in the middle. The modified version with a 2:3 ratio was adpoted of January 24, 2001.

The most detailed national flag in the world, it features a green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs) stacked above two crossed olive branches similar to those on the flag of the United Nations; a white waxing crescent moon, typical of Turkic and Islamic symbology, and five white five-pointed stars appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe.

The green and red colors appear in this flag because they have been venerated historically by the Turkmen. The waxing crescent moon symbolizes the hope of the country for a shining future and the stars represent the five provinces (welayatlar) of Turkmenistan – Ahal, Balkan, Dashoguz, Lebap, and Mary.