FLAG OF AZERBAIJAN: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The flag of Azerbaijan is the most important national symbol of the Republic of Azerbaijan, a country located in the Caucasus. It is made up of three horizontal stripes of cyan, red and light green. In the middle of the red stripe there is a crescent moon and a white eight-pointed star.

This national symbol was first adopted in 1918, when the country gained its first and short-lived independence. Later, it was occupied by the Soviet Union, and it was retaken after the new independence in 1991.

By various (File: Flag of Azerbaijan.svg), via Wikimedia Commons

The flag is traditionally known as Üçrəngli Bayraq, which translates to Tricolor Flag. In the meaning, the Turkish heritage is attributed to blue, progress to red, and Islam to green. The star crescent is also a symbol of the extinct Ottoman Empire and Islamism, although other meanings are attributed to it.

During the Soviet era, all Azerbaijani flags were marked by the communist tendency, which changed with independence. The current flag of Azerbaijan has remained unchanged since 1991. Its use and regulation is established by law 683 of 2004.

History of the flag

The history of Azerbaijan is recent, but its flag has a long history. Like the entire Caucasus, this region was constantly dominated by different powers. Azerbaijan was for many years Persian, Ottoman or Russian territory.

After the fall of the Russian Empire, in 1918 the Federal Democratic Republic of Transcaucasia was formed. This country brought together the three regions of the Caucasus: Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. The flag of this country was a tricolor of three horizontal stripes: yellow, black and red.

Quickly, this republic was dissolved, because Georgia proclaimed its independence in 1918. Armenia and Azerbaijan also became independent countries.

Independent Azerbaijan

After the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani flag was established, with the same design that we know today. This pavilion had already been created in 1895 by Ali bey Huseynzade, one of the ideologues of the independence of Azerbaijan.

The Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan lasted 23 months, until it was invaded by the Soviet Red Army. The flag was maintained during the independent country, but once Azerbaijan was incorporated into the USSR, the communist symbols began to be used.

Soviet Azerbaijan: early years

Between 1920 and 1936, the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic had eight different flags. First of all, a large red cloth was adopted which kept the crescent and the five-pointed star in one corner. In 1920, the crescent and star were flipped.

Starting in 1921, flags were adopted with the initials of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic in Cyrillic: ACCP. Between 1921 and 1922 a red flag was used with a small green rectangle at the top left, in which the letters ACCP were inscribed in yellow.

In 1922, the text of the flag was changed to Arabic alphabet. Between 1922 and 1924, the inscription in Arabic and Cyrillic was kept, but with the inscription AISC.

In 1924 the green rectangle was removed. Then all the letters were yellow on a red background, accompanied by a hammer and sickle. Above it, a small crescent and star was located.

As early as 1924 the flag changed the inscription to ASSC, in addition to the Arabic alphabet. Between 1924 and 1925 it was changed to AISC again. Finally, in 1929 the Arabic alphabet was suppressed and the letters were highlighted in a bright yellow.

Soviet Azerbaijan: return to autonomy

Within the USSR, the republics of the Caucasus were united in the Federal Socialist Soviet Republic of Transcaucasia. The flag of this entity was red, with a hammer and sickle inside a star. Surrounding them at one end were the initials of the region, ZSFSR, in the Cyrillic alphabet.

When Azerbaijan regained its autonomy within the USSR, in 1937, it adopted a simple flag. It was another red cloth with a yellow hammer and sickle. Below the symbol, the initials of the republic in Latin alphabet were placed: AzSSR. Between 1940 and 1952 the alphabet was changed again. This time it went into Cyrillic, with the inscription АзССР.

The problem of the alphabets ended in 1952. The flag followed the new Soviet style, made of red cloth, with only the hammer and sickle at the top. The Azeri flag was distinguished by having a horizontal blue stripe at the bottom.

This flag was the most important in Soviet Azerbaijan. It remained until the country's independence on February 5, 1991, after the ratification of a decree from the National Assembly.

Importance of the tricolor flag during the USSR

The current flag was used by the opposition to the Soviet regime during the rule of that country. Opponent Jahid Hilaloglu raised the flag in 1956 at the Baku Maiden Tower in protest.

In addition, various activists used the Azeri flag to claim the country's independence. This was particularly relevant in exile, especially in countries like Germany.

Meaning of the flag

Legally, the Constitution of Azerbaijan establishes the composition of the flag, but not its meanings. This rule dictates that the flag is a national symbol, along with the shield and the anthem.

However, different meanings have been popularly attributed to the colors of the flag. Sky blue would be responsible for representing Panturquism. Azeri, the language of Azerbaijan, is from the Turkic family, and the country's Ottoman past is prominent.

On the other hand, the color red is one of the ones that has the most varied meanings. The progress and modernity of the state of Azerbaijan is one of the most frequent. However, also red can identify Azerbaijani culture and modernity.

Finally, there is a consensus on green. This is the color of Islam, which is the majority religion in Azerbaijan. In addition, it can represent the relations of the republic of the Caucasus with the rest of the Muslim world.

Crescent and star: the most divergent

The crescent and the eight-pointed star are some of the most controversial meanings. This is a traditional symbol of Islam. It also represents the Turkish heritage, as the flag of Turkey has it, as well as other former Soviet republics.

The star can mean each of the letters used to write “Azerbaijan” in the Arabic alphabet. It could also represent the eight Turkic peoples: Azeris, Ottomans, Jagatais, Tatars, Kipchaks (Kazakhs and Kyrgyz), Seljunks and Turkmen.

Use of the flag

Law 683 of 2004 establishes different uses for the national flag of Azerbaijan. This symbol must always accompany high officials such as the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the President of the National Assembly. In these cases, it should also be used in your vehicles.

In addition, it should be used in all judicial institutions and positions, as well as in the Central Bank of Azerbaijan. This flag also has a predominant use in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan, an Azeri territory located between Armenia and Turkey.

In more recent years, the flag of Azerbaijan has occupied a more important place in the country. This is why the construction of spaces such as the National Flag Square in Baku. This square measures 60 hectares. The flag that is in it measures 70 x 35 m, and its flagpole, 162 m.

References

1. Ahmed, M. (2018). The story of Azerbaijan. The 100th Anniversary of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic. Grin. Recovered from grin.com.
2. News.az. (2010, September 2). Azerbaijani flag flies on world's tallest flagpole. News.az. Recovered from news.az.
3. Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. (sf). State symbols. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Recovered from en.president.az.
4. Smith, W. (2011). Flag of Azerbaijan. Encyclopædia Britannica. Recovered from britannica.com.
5. The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan. (nineteen ninety five). President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Recovered from en.president.az.