EXPO 2025
Just like the crescent and star on the Turkish flag and the sun on the Japanese flag together represent a full day...
Just like the ancient traces of Anatolian civilizations and the "Kün-Ay" (Sun-Moon) symbol carried by Turks since Central Asia...
Because every civilization begins each day with the sunrise and ends it under the moon and stars.
The Kün-Ay, a shared legacy of Göbeklitepe, the Hittites, the Huns, and the Ottomans in this land, will now deliver its universal message to all humanity — from Expo 2025 Osaka.

“Kün-Ay”
The Meaning and Importance of the Kün-Ay Symbol in Anatolia

The Kün-Ay symbol is an important motif in Turkish history and culture, carrying deep meanings. It consists of the union of the sun and the moon.

Meaning of the Symbol:

  • Balance and Harmony: It represents the natural cycle of celestial bodies and their importance in universal balance and harmony.

  • Source of Life: It symbolizes the respect Turks have for nature and celestial bodies and the source of that respect.

  • Union of Feminine and Masculine Forces: The feminine fertility of Ay Hanım (Moon) and the masculine power of Ülgen (Sun) emphasize the importance of unity and family.

  • Time and Eternity: The daily rising and setting of the Sun and the ever-changing phases of the Moon reflect the Turkish beliefs about time and eternity.

Importance of the Symbol:

  • Cultural Identity: It can be seen in various artworks, flags, and other objects used by Turks throughout history.

  • Spiritual Meaning: It represents the Turks' respect for the sky god and nature, as well as their belief in universal balance.

  • National Unity and Solidarity: Turks living in different geographies and times come together in this common symbol, expressing feelings of unity and solidarity.

YESTERDAY
While "day" is a temporal definition, the value that makes our present meaningful is "yesterday," that is, our past and history. Under our concept, we will share our ancient past with our visitors under the title "Yesterday."

In addition to the civilizations that shaped history in Anatolia (Hittites, Urartians, Lydians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Phrygians, Romans, Seljuks, Ottomans), the "Yesterday" section, which is approached in the context of Turkish-Japanese relations (Ertuğrul Frigate, etc.), aims to allow visitors to witness both the rich Anatolian culture and the historical dimension of Turkish-Japanese relations.

TODAY
Throughout its history, Turkey has hosted various civilizations and played an important role in the preservation of world heritage.

GOLDEN AGE - THE TURKEY CENTURY: "HEYDAY"
The Turkey Century is a global ambition. It is a visionary approach aimed at positioning Turkey as a global power in many fields. Expo 2025 Osaka represents a completely new approach for our country, carrying its 100th year into a global vision.

Rising on the foundation of ancient civilizations, with this depth of accumulation, and celebrating its 100th year, Turkey is taking an important step towards increasing its contributions to the world with its existing strong values. The 2025 OSAKA EXPO is the first and most significant platform where the seeds of global approval and acceptance for the Turkey Century will be sown.

"Building a civilization is undoubtedly difficult. It is a task that requires effort and time. But just as important is preserving, nurturing, and advancing the products and culture of this civilization, and further developing the inherited legacy."

As President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has pointed out, Turkey continues to play this role today, positioning itself as the "guardian of civilizations."