Turkish flag consists of a red leaf with a symbol of white crescent and a five-pointed star that are located in the left part of the flag. The symbolism of all these elements has its roots in ancient history. The red color was used by the Ottoman Empire, whose origins date back to the 13th century. Crescent and star are ancient symbols of Islam, however it appeared in Turkey even before Islam. Crescent has been on the flag since the 16th century and it is a symbol of the goddess Diana, guardian of the city Byzancion. The star, originally eight-pointed, has been on the flag since 1793 and is associated with the Virgin Mary, whom Constantinople (later Istanbul) was consecrated. Allegedly, these symbols were chosen by Sultan Murad II., when he saw the moon and stars in a puddle of blood during the Battle of Kosovo in 1448.