Presidency of Türkiye

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

^{Emblem of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye}

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. Kara Khanids (940–1040 AD)
10. Ghaznavids (962–1183 AD)
11. Great Seljuk Empire (1040–1157 AD)
12. Khwarazmians (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)

The Presidency Emblem is used in all official activities and representations of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye. It is displayed in official buildings including the Presidency Complex. It appears on official documents issued by the Presidency, at international meetings, during foreign visits, and at official invitations as the symbolic representation of Türkiye. The emblem also serves the function of representing the Presidency in national and international protocol.

^{Flag on Atatürk's car during his entry into İzmir in 1922}

The first official document regulating the Presidency Emblem was the Flag Regulation issued on 22 October 1925. This regulation defined 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 emblems, 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 large and ten small sun rays.
• The dimensions of the emblem are square (70x70).

On 29 May 1936, Law No. 2994 on the Turkish Flag was enacted, and on 14 September 1937, Decree No. 2/7175 adopted the Flag Regulation. Article 36 of this regulation, referencing its annex, specified that the sun rays on the Presidency Emblem consist of ten oval and ten pointed rays. The emblem’s dimensions were set at 70/70. Subsequently, an additional regulation appended to the Flag Regulation established the emblem’s dimensions as 30x30 cm. On 18 February 1978, the Regulation on Amendments to the Turkish Flag Regulation came into effect, introducing two new changes.

• 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 are defined with pointed (triangular) tips.

The current emblem is used in accordance with Article 28 of the Turkish Flag Regulation No. 85/9034 dated 25.01.1985, and its referenced illustration. The interpretation that the sun on the Presidency Emblem represents the Republic of Türkiye and the 16 stars represent the independent Turkish states was first presented in 1969 by Harita Yb. Akîp Özbek in his book The Presidency Emblem and Its Meaning. 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 seven remaining stars represent the seven tuğs used by the Anatolian Turks. Thus, the total of 9 + 7 equals 16.