About Islamic Symbols

Crescent moon and star.

The number of Muslims in the world is estimated to be 700 million to 1.2 billion, with 1.1 to 7 million residing in the U.S. With 21 percent of people following Islam, it is the world's second-largest religion, following Christianity's 33 percent. Two symbols associated with Islam are the crescent moon and star and Arabic calligraphy.

Significance

The literal meaning of Islam is "peace," surrendering one's desires and pleasures for the sake of God. The main message of Islam is Unity of God, that the Creator of the world is One, that He alone is worthy of worship and that Muhammad is His Messenger and Servant. A follower of Islam is a Muslim, and Muslims have five main duties to perform: bearing witness to the Unity of God and Muhammad as His Messenger; reciting the prescribed prayer; giving of Zakat; observing the Ramadan fasts; and completing the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Function

The primary symbol associated with Islamic faith is the crescent moon and star. It is featured on flags of several Muslim countries. Many believe that the crescent moon and star symbol is quite ancient and was first used by individuals in Central Asia and Siberia in worshiping gods of the sun, moon and sky. It is also reported that this icon was used to symbolize the Carthaginian goddess Tanit or the Greek goddess Diana.

Time Frame

During the time of the prophet Muhammad, c.570 to c.632, Islamic convoys and armies used flags of one color, usually green, black or white, for identification. Later, Muslim leaders continued using the flags with no writing or symbolism.

The crescent moon was implemented in Byzantium, present-day Istanbul, before Christ's birth. The crescent moon and star did not become affiliated with Islam until the Ottoman Empire, in 1453, when the Turks occupied Constantinople and governed the Muslim world for several hundred years. As a result, the symbol was and remains associated with the Islamic faith.

Misconceptions

Traditionally, Islam had no symbol at all, and many Muslims do not use the crescent moon and star as an icon of their religion. However, some Muslim countries presently include the crescent moon and star icon on their national flag. Some have used the symbol previously, yet the color, orientation, size and design traits vary widely for each country. Most of the countries with these flags are not Arabic speaking but are a part of the greater Muslim world, places with Muslim-majority populations.

Identification

Since the Islamic faith prohibits graphics of living things, adherents instead use elaborate calligraphy to portray divine names and concepts.

Calligraphy has a special place in Islam and is considered the most respected artistic expression in the Islamic world. Muslims believe that through writing, the Koran, God's word revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, was recorded and given visual form.

The Arabic script was continuously cultivated and enhanced to become the most recognizable symbol of Islam.