Emblem of Turkmenistan

Emblem of Turkmenistan
Versions
2000-2003
1992-2000
Details
Armiger	Türkmenistan
Crest	A crescent and five mullets argent
Escutcheon	A disc azure, a depiction of an Akhal-Teke horse on a circular disc gules with a five carpet guls surrounds the sheaves of wheat and seven flowers in bottom.
Other elements	An emblem is placed in an eight-point starburst (known as the Rub El Hizb (۞) vert

The State Emblem of Turkmenistan was created after Turkmenistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The eight-point green starburst (known as the Rub El Hizb (۞), a symbol of Islam, to which a majority of Turkmen profess) with golden edges features in its center a red circular disc which carries sheaves of wheat, five carpet guls, and centered upon that a smaller blue circle with a lifelike (rather than heraldized) depiction of an Akhal-Teke horse, a source of pride for the Turkmen people. A round variant of the emblem was used from 1992 until 2003. [1][2]

The five traditional carpet motifs on the red disc represent the five major tribes or houses, and stand for the traditional and religious values of the country. These Turkmen tribes in traditional order are Teke (Tekke), Yomut (Yomud), Arsary (Ersary), Chowdur (Choudur), and Saryk (Saryq). The Salyr (Salor), a tribe that declined as a result of military defeat before the modern period, are not represented, nor are several smaller tribes or subtribes.

The green and red colors appear in this shield because they have been venerated historically by the Turkmen. The central elements are surrounded by sheaves of wheat that allude to the custom to welcome to guests with salt and bread. Atop the wheat and the red circle appear a waxing crescent moon of white, typical of Turkic symbology, and five five-pointed stars also of white. 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, Dashhowuz, Lebap, and Mary. Most of the elements of the coat of arms are present in the national flag.

Coat of arms on postage stamp of Turkmenistan 1992.

Before independence from the USSR, Turkmenistan had an emblem similar to all other Soviet Republics. A single carpet gul, not matching any of the tribal patterns, was represented on the Coat of arms of the Turkmen SSR.

See also

• Flag of Turkmenistan

References

• Turkmenistan Pages by Ekahau
• [3]
• [4]
• Heraldicum - Independent Turkmenistan