| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
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Tradition says that “Philip, the father of Alexander, meeting with great difficulties in the siege of Byzan’tium, set the workmen to undermine the walls, but a crescent moon discovered the design, which miscarried; consequently the Byzantines erected a statue to Diana, and the crescent became the symbol of the state.” | 1 |
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Another legend is that Othman, the Sultan, saw in a vision a crescent moon, which kept increasing till its horns extended from east to west, and he adopted the crescent of his dream for his standard, adding the motto, “Donec rep’leat orbem.” | 2 |
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