The symbol of Islam: the history of the emergence and photo

Each religion has its own symbols.They are not only drawings that the ancient peoples invented because of their own whims or love of art. The images they create are their abstract vision and understanding of God, his essence. It is an allegory helping people understand the basics of belief, its depth, its connection with the emotional beginning. In our life there are many symbols, but only religious ones reflect a whole range of moral values, and also have great strength and unquestionable influence on the common man.

The essence of Islam. The main symbols of religion

Belief is widespread in Asia.About 23% of people in the world profess Islam, which was founded in the VII century by Prophet Muhammad. The very concept is translated as "obedience to God and the world", which already reflects the basic dogmas of religion. Muslims preach the humanity and harmony of relations, the right honest life for the benefit of society and the Motherland, as well as simplicity, reasonableness, unity of the material and spiritual.

All these rules are described in the sacred "Qur'an."According to legend, the book in the name of Allah was handed to Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel. Since then, all Muslims have honored the canons described on these pages, even the slightest violation of the rules in Asia is severely punished. The symbol of Islam is a crescent moon and its faithful companion is a five-pointed star. They invariably adorn themselves in all mosques - temples, where true believers pray to their Allah. In addition to religious buildings, the symbol of Islam is also often found on the flags of many states: Turkey, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Singapore, Pakistan and others.

History of the appearance of the crescent moon

When Islam was born in Muslim communities,the symbols of faith have not yet been invented: people did not even think about the necessity of their existence. During the life of Mohammed, the army used simple monophonic flags: white, green or black. This went on until 1453, when the Turks seized power in the caliphate and occupied Constantinople. From the local people, they adopted the image of the crescent moon: they began to draw on flags and decorate mosques.

According to another legend, the founder of the Ottoman Empirehad a dream in which he saw a huge crescent that stretched from one end of the earth to the other. The ruler considered this a good sign and decided to make him a symbol of his dynasty. In these times, the crescent and the star became the emblem of battle banners and standards. But do not forget that the image of the night light was actively used long before the rise of this religion. For example, the current symbol of Islam - a crescent moon - crowned the head of the ancient Greek goddess Artemis.

Crescent and the Ottoman Empire

As is known, the power of the Turks did not existone hundred years. Its residents actively used the symbol of faith in Islam - a crescent, so today many people associate it with this religion. Although at first it remained simply the emblem of the Ottomans, and not their beliefs. After all, for many years the Muslims vehemently condemned worshiping idols, idols, and all kinds of images. They did not have amulets and talismans, icons and religious attributes. Therefore, both in the times of the Ottoman Empire, and in the modern world, the crescent is more a symbol of the Turkish people, as well as crossed sabers and palm trees - the emblem of Saudi Arabia. Muslims in this respect can use different images, the main thing is that they do not contradict the Sharia.

In the Ottoman Empire, the month was holy.The Turks said that it plays an important role in people's lives. First, it illuminates the road at night, in pitch darkness. Secondly, due to its modifications, a person can navigate in time. The symbol of Islam - a crescent moon and a star, its constant neighbor, eventually transformed into the concept of "a light in the darkness", which points the way to all true believers.

Opinion of Muslim scholars

They all adamantly claim that the symbolIslam, crescent, appeared over the Turkish minarets thanks to the ancestors of Alexander the Great. One of them besieged Constantinople, which at that time was called Byzant. Residents did not get scared, but gave a worthy rebuff and drove out the conquerors. The victory coincided with the appearance on the horizon of the dawn. It was called a good sign: the crescent began to depict on the state documents as a memory of those significant events for the city. Next, the image of the night luminary was inherited by the Caesars, who later ruled the city, the center of Byzantium. Well, after them he went to the Ottoman Empire, which managed to conquer these lands.

Today, many Muslims say:some representatives of their religion believe that the crescent is a symbol of Islam, as well as the cross is a symbol of Christianity. But this is a big mistake. True believers, they say, worship only Allah, and not pagan images. Therefore, real Muslims who build mosques should not spend money on decorating the building with symbols that have nothing to do with their religion.

What their opponents say

As a counterbalance to the previous judgment, someadherents of religion lead opposite arguments. The symbols of Islam and their meaning they interpret in their own way. Like, the five-pointed star is the five pillars of their religion, as well as five compulsory daily prayers. As for the crescent moon, it is depicted on mosques and minarets, as a symbol of the Muslim worship of the lunar calendar.

Discussions between the two opposite partieshave been going on for more than a dozen years, and the first group operates the more convincing arguments. Indeed, if you look deeply into history, you can see that at the very beginning the founders of Islam and their disciples did not worship any images and statues. They just walked the world and preached their faith. Even religious buildings were then without decorations and symbols. Unlike Christian churches, mosques are very poor in appearance. In the middle there are no icons, altars and gilding - only a mosaic on the walls, flowers near the window and carpets for the convenience of believers who bowed in prayer.

Where else is the crescent used?

The answer to this question is very interesting for alllovers of history. Why is the symbol of Islam a crescent moon? This, as well as the essence of the legends associated with its appearance, the meaning of the emblem and its use - we have already learned. Now we shall plunge into the beliefs of old peoples, who also revered the night star and worshiped it. For example, Buddhism treats the crescent as a symbol of human control over the mind. The Egyptians also believed in his power: turned "horns" upward, he was always portrayed next to the goddess Isis.

The Sumerians associated him with the moon god Sin,Persians - with their Higher Powers. But the most interesting is that the Christian Celts often depicted him in religious drawings: next to the Virgin Mary. Painted horns up against the belly of the saint, he most likely symbolized the feminine and fertile bosom. Analyzing all this, one can assert: to consider a crescent as a symbol of Islam or not, everyone decides for himself. The main thing is that it is actively used by many religions, and therefore by right is the property of all mankind.