The flag of Turkmenistan was introduced on 19th of February in 1992, according to other sources on 21st of March in 1992, at that time still in the, in the Soviet Union usual, aspect ratio of 1:2, since 24th of January in 2001 it has had the aspect ratio of 2:3. It consists of a green flag bunting with a vertical ornamental stripe near the mast, on it five richly decorated symbols and two crossed olive branches, and in the upper corner of the large green field, a white crescent with five stars. The five richly decorated ornaments placed in the vertical stripe are carpet patterns, so-called göls. They are tribal signs (of the Teke, Ýomut, Saryk, Çowdur and Ärsary tribes) and symbols of sovereignty. The green is supposedly reminiscent of the old flags of the Turkic Tatars, which should have been used as early as the 4th century BC. The colour white represents cheerfulness and goodness. The white crescent embodies the Turkmen people's belief in a clear future. The five stars next to the crescent represent the five regions of the country (Ahal, Balkan, Taschaus, Lebap and Maryl). The colour green and the use of the crescent moon also clearly reveal Islamic symbolism. In 1997 the flag was changed a little when two crossed olive branches were added below the five carpet patterns, because on 1st of February in 1997 a law was passed that required the representation of the strict neutrality policy that the country has been pursuing since 1995 on the flag. The shades of the colours of the flag seem to be defined, at least the following colour information can be found, even in the Pantone color spectrum: Green = Pantone 348 C, Red = Pantone 1795 C and Yellow = Pantone 123 C. The flags, which were used in the Soviet era corresponded all to the same pattern as it was intended for the Soviet Republics: frequently only a single-coloured red bunting with a golden inscription, showing the name of the country. Sometimes only as a shortcut, sometimes the full name, sometimes only in Russian or even multilingual. From about 1937 hammer, sickle and star were sometimes added. From about the mid-50s multicolored flags were introduced for the republics of the Soviet Union, whose knitting patterns had to be taken over by the subordinated autonomous Soviet republics.
The todays national coat of arms of Turkmenistan was introduced in 2003. It shows a green octagon. Inside is a red disk surrounded by seven cotton flowers, two ears of wheat and the crescent with five stars. On the disk, the five carpet patterns that can also be seen on the flag are arranged in a circle around a blue disk with a horse. The white crescent embodies the Turkmen people's belief in a clear future. The five stars next to the crescent represent the five regions of the country (Ahal, Balkan, Taschaus, Lebap and Maryl). The colour green and the use of the crescent moon also clearly reveal Islamic symbolism. The arrangement of the carpet patterns is reminiscent of a five-pointed star, the points of which represent the five states of matter: solid, gaseous, liquid, crystalline and plasmic. The horse is an "Ahaltekine horse", an ancient breed of riding horses bred here. It embodies the longing and pride of the country's residents. The name of the breed is derived from the Akhal Teke oasis. The first coat of arms, used between 1992 and 2002, was round and was already similar to today's coat of arms, but the color green was almost completely omitted. The coat of arms used between 2002 and 2003 was already very similar to today's coat of arms, but a green disk was used instead of the green octagon.
15th century · migration of Uzbeks (named after Ösbek Khan, a ruler of the Golden Horde) under the leadership of Abulkhair Khan
1500 · Shaybani Khan (grandson of Abulkhair) conquers Bukhara and Samarkand and takes over the rule in Maverannah, establishment of the Khanate of Bukhara
18th century · in the region of the course of the Amudarya River under control of the Chanates of Bukhara and Khiva
1855 · the federation of the Tekke Turkmans declares its independence, establishment of the Chanate of Merv
1869–1885 · gradually Russian conquest, establishment of the Transcaspian Gouvernement
The name "Turkmenistan" is derived from its residents, the Turkmens (as well Turkomans). They call themselves "Tyrkmen". This denomination is to translate with "The real Strong". Turkmenian belongs to the western group of the Turk languages. The Turkmen are subdivided in many tribes, e.g. Tekke, Yomud, Ersary, Chaudor, Salor, Saryk, Goeklen. The name "Turkmenia" is obsolete.
