Presidency of Türkiye

The Presidency of Türkiye is known as a symbol symbolizing the highest office of the Republic. Its design reflects the deep history of the Turkish nation and the modern Republic of Türkiye. While symbolizing the continuity of Turkish history from the past to the present, it also emphasizes independence and sovereignty for the future. At the center of the is a sun representing the Republic of Türkiye. The 16 stars surrounding it symbolize the 16 great Turkish states in history.

16 Turkish States

1. Great Hun Empire (204 BC–216 AD)
2. Western Hun Empire (48–216 AD)
3. European Hun Empire (375–469 AD)
4. Ak Hun Empire (420–552 AD)
5. Göktürk Empire (552–745 AD)
6. Avar Empire (565–835 AD)
7. Khazar Empire (651–983 AD)
8. Uyghur State (745–1368 AD)
9. Karahanlılar (940–1040 AD)
10. Ghaznavids (962–1183 AD)
11. Great Seljuk Empire (1040–1157 AD)
12. Khwarezmshahs (1097–1231 AD)
13. Golden Horde State (1236–1502 AD)
14. Great Timurid Empire (1368–1501 AD)
15. Mughal Empire (1526–1858 AD)
16. Ottoman Empire (1299–1922 AD)

Areas of Use

The Presidency of Türkiye emblem is used in all official activity and representation matters pertaining to Republic of Türkiye Presidency. It is displayed in official buildings including the Presidency Complex. It serves as the symbol of Türkiye on official documents issued by the Presidency, at international meetings, during foreign visits, and at official ceremonies. The emblem also fulfills the representative function of the Presidency in national and international protocol.

Legal Status

The first official document regulating the Presidency of Türkiye emblem is the Sancak Directive issued on 22 October 1925. This directive defines the Presidency emblem as follows:

• The shapes of the crescent and star are identical to those on the national flag.
• The sun and stars, as distinctive symbols, are manufactured using matte golden gilding.
• The tips of the large sun rays are oval, while the tips of the small sun rays are triangular (pointed).
• There are ten small and ten large sun rays.
• The dimensions of the emblem are square (70x70).

On 29 May 1936, Law No. 2994 and on 14 September 1937, Decree No. 2/7175 adopted the Turkish Flag Regulation. Article 36 of this regulation, referring to its Annex, specifies that the sun rays on the Presidency emblem also consist of ten oval and ten pointed rays. The dimensions of the emblem are 70/70. Subsequently, an Addendum to the Turkish Flag Regulation established the emblem’s dimensions as 30x30 cm. On 18 February 1978, with the enactment of the Regulation on Amendments to the Turkish Flag Regulation, two new modifications were introduced.

• The sun rays at the center of the emblem are arranged as eight long and eight short rays, alternating in sequence: one long, one short.
• All 16 rays, as determined in total, have pointed (triangular) tips.

Currently, the emblem in use is governed by Article 28 of the Turkish Flag Regulation No. 85/9034 dated 25.01.1985, according to the referenced model. The interpretation that the sun on the Presidency emblem represents the Republic of Türkiye and the 16 stars represent the Turkish states was first presented in 1969 by Harita Yb. Akîp Uzbek in his book titled “The Presidency of Türkiye Emblem and Its Symbols.” This interpretation gained acceptance in subsequent years. In addition, other interpretations have been proposed, particularly regarding the 16 stars. One view holds that nine of the stars represent the nine tuğs used by the ancient (Central Asia) Turks on their banners, while the remaining seven stars represent the seven tuğs used by the Anatolia Turks on their banners, thus totaling 16 (9+7).