Full Name: Republic of Uzbekistan
Capital: Tashkent
Phone code: +998
TLD: .uz
Region: Asia
Uzbekistan became the first of the newly-independent republics in Central Asia to choose a new flag.
The flag of Uzbekistan consists of three horizontal blue, white and green bands separated by two thin red fimbriations, with a crescent moon and twelve stars at the canton. Adopted in 1991 to replace the flag of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR), it has been the flag of the Republic of Uzbekistan since the country gained independence in that same year. The design of the present flag was partly inspired by the former one.
National Flag Of Uzbekistan Meaning
The colors and symbols of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The white stands for peace and purity, while blue represents water and the sky. The latter colour also alludes to the flag of Timur, who ruled over present-day Uzbekistan during the 14th century. Green officially epitomizes “nature and fertility” – though it may also represent Islam – while the thin red stripes represents the “life force” within everyone. The crescent at the canton evokes “the rebirth of” Uzbekistan as an “independent” country. Moreover, it symbolizes the Islamic faith practiced by 88% of Uzbekistan’s population. To the right of the crescent are twelve stars, which signify the months of the Islamic calendar, as well as the constellations featured in the zodiac.
National Flag Of Uzbekistan History
Under Soviet rule, the Union Republic – situated in what is now modern-day Uzbekistan – utilized a flag derived from the flag of the Soviet Union and representing Communism, that was approved in 1952. The flag is similar to the Soviet design but with the blue stripe in 1/5 width and the two 1/100 white edges in between.
Uzbekistan declared itself independent on September 1, 1991, approximately three months before the dissolution of the Soviet Union. A search for a national flag began soon after, with a contest being held to determine the new design. More than 200 submissions were made, and a commission was formed in order to evaluate these suggestions coming from a variety of stakeholders. The winning design was adopted on November 18, 1991, after being selected at an extraordinary session of the Uzbek Supreme Soviet. In doing so, Uzbekistan became the first of the newly-independent republics in Central Asia to choose a new flag.
