Crescent

For other uses, see Crescent (disambiguation).

An example of an artistically exaggerated crescent — in this case a large circle with a smaller one removed, as on the Turkish flag.

An astronomically correct crescent shape (in dark grey), complemented by a gibbous shape (in light grey).

Statue of the Crescent in one of the squares.

In art and symbolism, a crescent is generally the shape produced when a circular disk has a segment of another circle removed from its edge, so that what remains is a shape enclosed by two circular arcs of different diameters which intersect at two points (usually in such a manner that the enclosed shape does not include the center of the original circle).

The crescent was long used as the symbol of Byzantium. Now it is the main symbol for the religion Islam.

Crescent Media

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  Lune (geometry)

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  Lune (geometry)

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  Lune (geometry)

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  Lune (geometry)

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  Lune (geometry)

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  Lune (geometry)

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  Sumerian cylinder seal, dated c. 2400 BC, showing the Moon god as a crescent symbol

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  Miniature of Madonna on the crescent (Rohan Master, Hours of René of Anjou, 15th century)

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  Flag of the Golden Horde as shown in Angelino Dulcert's 1339 map

Other websites

• The origin of the Islamic crescent
• MathWorld article on geometric "Lune"
• Worldwide Moon Sighting Reports