Abstract:

The place of cultural values can’t be ignored in logos created for the cities, since foreign countries, the cities of foreign countries, different cities of a country recognize each other by means of their own cultural values and they recall the mentioned city when they meet these values. When examined from past to present, it is observed that the societies which kept at these values forefront by giving more importance and handed them down survived longer. Determining to what extend these values are used in these logos symbolizing the city is the main focus of this study. From this point of view, total 165 logos which are the sum of 7 cities’ logos between 81 cities of Turkey, 78 governors’ logos, and 80 municipalities’ logos are examined in terms of natural and cultural inheritance elements. At least one element of natural and cultural values is observed in 124 logos through 165, while any element is observed in the rest 41 logos. It is seen that the cities, governors, and the municipalities used the figures of natural beauties such as travertine terraces of Pamukkale, tulip, fairy chimneys, Seven Lakes, and Abant Lake. It is highlighted that the figures of the castle and city walls, mosque, clock tower, and the elements (Hittite sun, double headed eagle, battering ram, octagonal star, dodecagonal star, masjid, caravansary, etc.) which were crucial for the Turkish goverments and still keep the importance are mostly selected through the concrete cultural inheritance elements. On the other hand, public architecture, handicraft tradition, folkloric values, local clothes are the most selected elements among the non-concrete cultural inheritance elements.

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