Uzbekistan

Last modified: 2002-03-15 by phil nelson
Keywords: uzbekistan | asia | commonwealth of independent states | crescent | star | zodiac | peace | nature | life | turkemen |
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• Description of Flag
• Coat of Arms
• Erroneous reported flag, 1992

See also:

• Karakalpakstan
• Khiva
• Freedom Democratic Party (ERK)
• Central Asian Khanates
• Uzbekian SSR (USSR)
• Bukharian PSR (USSR)

Uzbekistan was the first central Asia republic to declare its sovereignty and to adopt post-Communist symbols. The flag of Uzbekistan is a light blue over white over light green tricolour, with thin red stripes separating the three stripes. In the upper hoist corner is a white crescent and 12 white stars.

Oddly, although Uzbekistan is a predominantly Muslim country, and the crescent is a symbol of Islam, the symbolism for the crescent moon is described as being representative of the rebirth of the nation, rather than its religion.

The 12 stars stand for the zodiac. White is for peace, green for nature, and red for the life force. The blue stripe stands for eternal night and for water as a fundamental source of life.
Stuart Notholt

Another explanation

As an Uzbekistan resident I think that the 12 stars are for the 12 oblasts or villoyets of Uzbekistan. The Karakalpaks have 5 stars for the same reason.
Guy Cosnahan, 17 November 2000