Major Symbols

The star and crescent is a well-known symbol of Islam. It features on the flags of many countries in the Islamic world, notably Turkey and Pakistan. Contrary to popular belief, the symbol is not Muslim in origin. Rather, it was an icon adopted during the spread of Islam, and its use today is sometimes controversial in the Muslim world. The crescent and star are often said to be Islamic symbols, but historians say that they were the insignia of the Ottoman Empire, not of Islam as a whole. It is important to keep in mind that Islam has few traditional symbols, and the crescent moon and star are not ones that are recognized by as traditional symbols by Muslims. The symbol is due to cultural diffusion and the spread of Islam to the Ottoman turks who ruled a large area and also put the crescent moon and star symbol on their flag. It has since become associated with Islam. Some other symbols are Ka 'bah, a Mosque, and a prayer rug.