Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF KAZAKH HISTORY, CULTURE AND LANGUAGE, Ankara, Türkiye, 27 - 28 Aralık 2021, sa.9
FLAG SYMBOLISM AS A CULTURAL
INDICATOR: THE CASE OF KAZAKHSTAN
Nurgul ERGUL
Lecturer
Cumhuriyet University YMYO Public Relations Promotion Program Department of Marketing
and Advertising, nurgulergul@gmail.com Orcid: 0000-0002-9473-1474
ABSTRACT
Since
the beginning of human history, communication is one of the basic features that
distinguishes humans from other living things. The need to be understood, which
is one of the basic human needs, has led to the formation of different forms of
communication. As visual communication elements; signs and symbols are
universal in terms of both interpersonal and intercultural communication.
symbols; It is one of the important communication tools in the formation of
cultural identity in terms of introducing, making sense and representing
things. The use of flags in the form of signs dates back to about 2000 years
ago. The flag symbolism used to express the different missions of armies for
the nations was used by the Roman cavalry as vexillum flags to represent the
lord's army. The use of flags to send messages in wars begins in the Middle
Ages, but the coding of flags was seen during the Napoleonic Wars (1799). Flag
codes were used by the British as a means of sending messages from ships to
shores. In this study, a semiotic analysis of the Flag of Kazakhstan was made,
based on the use of symbols as a cultural and strategic position of nations and
their use as an element of cultural identity. The Flag of Kazakhstan, designed
by Shaken Niyazbekov, was adopted after the collapse of the Soviet Union
(1992). The aim of this study is to analyze the Flag of Kazakhstan based on the
semiotic analysis method, which is one of the qualitative research methods.
Roland Barthes' understanding of semiotics was used in the research. Flag signs
were tried to be explained by examining the signifier-signified-indicator
elements. As a result of the research: While the main color of the flag, sky
blue, represents peace and tranquility in the universal context; In Turkish
culture, for Turks who believe in the Sky God religion, blue represents
greatness and the divine.
The
message to be conveyed with the color of the flag is independence, peace-loving
and divine eternity. Blue represents divine grace and forgiveness in
Mesopotamia (¹). At the same time, this color symbolizes being one of the seven
independent Turkish States. The steppe eagle, which has spread its wings on the
flag, represents freedom. The golden stripe on the head of the pennant is the
symbol of the Golden Army state and Kazakh culture. Symbolizing the state as a
continuation of the Golden Horde State also emphasizes traditionalism. The sun
symbol on the flag represents abundance, fertility, enlightenment and peace.
The ram horn embroidery, on the other hand, emphasizes the ram in Kazakh
national culture: spirituality, spirituality, eternity, devotion to the holy.
At the same time, the symbol of the ram, which is believed to have been created
from the sky and fire; It expresses tradition, abundance, wealth and respect
for the holy. As a result of the research, the main cultural codes in the Flag
of Kazakhstan are: independence, peace, tranquility, faith, tradition,
enlightenment, wealth and prosperity.
Key Concepts:
Cultural Symbolism, Kazakhstan Culture, Semiotic Analysis, Cultural Identity