Symbolic Representation of Colors: The Case of Pan-Arabism

Yıl 2024, Cilt: 8 Sayı: 4, 952 - 970, 23.12.2024

Özkan Gökcan

https://doi.org/10.30586/pek.1537471

Öz

Flags are one of the symbols that play a major role in defining the identity of a nation and maintaining the belonging related to the defined national identity. The element that makes the flag important for the nation and nationalism comes from the colors, patterns and even forms used. Because the colors, patterns or forms used are not randomly chosen, but consciously chosen and emphasizing a certain collective consciousness. One of the most important historical examples of this situation is the colors black, white, green and red, which are frequently seen in the flags of Arab states. In this study, it is discussed what the colors black, white, green and red, which are accepted as the symbols of Pan-Arabism, mean for Arabs and why they are frequently used in the flags of Arab states. Considering that the colors on the flags of national states are the product of a conscious choice, it is examined how these colors play a role in maintaining Arab nationalism. Moving from this context, in the first part of the study, what the colors black, white, green and red mean to the ideology of Pan-Arabism is discussed. In the second part of the study, the detailed analysis of the political, religious and historical representation of the colors in question, and in the third part, the representation of the four colors in the flags over the sample states and the change of this representation over time are examined.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Pan-Arabism, Flag, Colours, Nationalism

Renklerin Simgesel Temsili: Pan-Arabizm Örneği

Öz

Bayraklar, bir milletin kimliğinin tanımlanmasında ve tanımlanan milli kimliğe ilişkin aidiyetin sürdürülmesinde başlıca rolü oynayan sembollerden biridir. Bayrağı, millet ve milliyetçilik için önemli kılan unsur, kullanılan renkler, desen ve hatta biçimlerden ileri gelmektedir. Çünkü kullanılan renkler, desenler veya biçimler rastgele değil bilinçli seçilmiş ve belirli bir kolektif bilince vurgu yapan unsurlardır. Bu durumun en önemli tarihsel örneklerinden biri Arap devletlerinin bayraklarında sıklıkla karşımıza çıkan siyah, beyaz, yeşil ve kırmızı renkleridir. Bu çalışmada Pan-Arabizmin sembolü olarak kabul edilen siyah, beyaz, yeşil ve kırmızı renklerinin Araplar için ne anlam ifade ettiği ve Arap devletlerinin bayraklarında neden sıklıkla kullanıldığı ele alınmaktadır. Ulusal devletlerin bayraklarındaki renklerin bilinçli bir tercihin ürünü olduğundan hareketle, söz konusu renklerin Arap milliyetçiliğinin sürdürülmesi noktasında nasıl bir işlevi olduğu incelenmektedir. Bu kapsamdan hareketle çalışmanın birinci bölümünde siyah, beyaz, yeşil ve kırmızı renklerinin Pan-Arabizm ideolojisi içi ne ifade ettiği ele alınmaktadır. Çalışmanın ikinci bölümünde söz konusu renklerin siyasal, dinsel ve tarihi temsilinin detaylı analizi, üçüncü bölümünde ise örnek devletler üzerinden dört rengin bayraklardaki temsili ve bu temsilin zaman içindeki değişimi incelenmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Pan-Arabizm, Bayrak, Renkler, Milliyetçilik

Kaynakça

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