Flag of TurkmenistanTürkmenistan

What the flag looks like

The Turkmen flag consists of a green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist. The stripe contains five traditional Turkmen carpet guls arranged above an olive branch. A white crescent moon and five five-pointed stars appear above the carpet stripe. Green and red are traditional Turkmen colors, while the carpet motifs represent the country's major tribal traditions and its distinctive textile heritage. The current design was adopted on 24 January 2001, following modifications to the flag used after independence.

Colors and meaning

Green is a traditional Turkmen color and is associated with Islam and the country's landscape, while red represents the country's historic and cultural traditions. The carpet motifs symbolize Turkmen tribes and national heritage, the crescent moon represents Islam, and the five stars represent the country's five regions.

Green field

Green is a traditional color of Turkmen culture and is associated with Islam, nature and the country's landscapes.

Red carpet stripe

The red stripe represents the country's historical and cultural traditions. It contains five carpet guls that symbolize the five major Turkmen tribal traditions and their shared national identity.

Carpet guls

The five large carpet motifs represent the traditional Turkmen tribes: Teke, Yomut, Arsary, Chowdur and Saryk. Carpet weaving is one of the most distinctive elements of Turkmen cultural heritage.

Olive branch

The olive branch represents peace and neutrality, reflecting Turkmenistan's internationally recognized policy of permanent neutrality.

Crescent moon

The crescent is associated with Islam and is an important symbol in Turkmenistan's cultural and religious heritage.

Five stars

The five stars correspond to the five major regions, or welaýatlar, of Turkmenistan.

History and adoption

Turkmenistan declared independence from the Soviet Union on 27 October 1991. Its first post-Soviet national flag was adopted in February 1992 and introduced a green field, red carpet stripe and traditional Turkmen motifs. The design was modified several times during the 1990s and early 2000s. The current form, featuring five carpet guls and five stars, was adopted on 24 January 2001. The flag preserves traditional Turkmen carpet symbolism while reflecting the country's independent national identity.

Key facts

Adopted

24 January 2001

Proportion

2:3

Designer

Based on traditional Turkmen carpet motifs and national symbols

Capital

Ashgabat

Country code

TM

Similar flags

None

Historical and related flags

Turkmenistan has used several flags during its imperial, Soviet and independent periods.

• Russian Empire and Transcaspian period: Russian imperial and regional flags were used before the establishment of Soviet rule.
• Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic (1925–1991): Used several Soviet-style red flags featuring the republic's name and later the hammer and sickle.
• First independence flag (1992): Green field with a red carpet stripe and traditional Turkmen motifs.
• Current flag (2001–present): Green field with five carpet guls, an olive branch, crescent moon and five stars.
• Presidential standard: Uses a green field with the national emblem and additional presidential symbols.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Turkmenistan look like?

The flag of Turkmenistan has a green field with a vertical red carpet stripe near the hoist. The stripe contains five traditional Turkmen carpet guls, with an olive branch below them. A white crescent moon and five white stars appear in the upper hoist corner. The proportion is 2:3.

When was the flag of Turkmenistan adopted?

The current flag of Turkmenistan was officially adopted on 24 January 2001.

What do the colors mean?

Green is a traditional Turkmen color and is associated with Islam and the country's landscape, while red represents the country's historic and cultural traditions. The carpet motifs symbolize Turkmen tribes and national heritage, the crescent moon represents Islam, and the five stars represent the country's five regions.

Which flags look similar to the Turkmenistan flag?

No other national flag closely resembles Turkmenistan's. Its combination of a green field, vertical red carpet stripe, five traditional carpet guls, olive branch, crescent and five stars is highly distinctive.