„The Land of Fire“ sounds spectacular – and it is! But why does Azerbaijan bear this fiery nickname?
There are many different myths, legends and other assumptions as to why the country is called that.
Today, the flame, which is „alov“ in Azerbaijani, is the symbol of the country. In the capital, there are three Flame Towers, architecturally designed to resemble flames. At night, they are illuminated in shades of red, orange, and yellow.
In the center of the national emblem blazes a large red flame, formed from the Persian word for „Allah“.
And about 30 minutes outside of Baku lies Yanar Dağ: the burning mountain. According to some sources, this natural gas flame has been burning for 4,000 years.
In the south of the country, the Yanar Bulaq fountain bubbles forth. This is no ordinary fountain: If you light a lighter over it, a flame appears directly above the flowing water. The water, however, remains cool and drinkable.
The name “Azerbaijan” may originally have come from a man named Atropates, who ruled in the region of present-day northern Iran in the 4th century BC. His name comes from an ancient Iranian language and roughly translates to “protected by the sacred fire”.
Over many centuries, the name of the country has changed: first to
Āturpātākān, then to Ādharbādhagān, later to Āzarbāydjānal and finally to
the present word Azerbaijan.
In modern Persian, the name can be translated as „Treasure of Fire“ or „Land of Fire“.
Then there is a third reason: Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest religions. It was founded about 3000 years ago in Persia (present-day Iran). Fire is central to it. It symbolizes purity, truth, and light.
Thus, the area in present-day Azerbaijan became an important Zoroastrian center due to the many natural gas flames. Several temples were built, and as early as the 10th century, there were various Zoroastrian communities near Baku. Even today, you can visit the famous Atheshgah Fire Temple in Baku.
You see: whether through myths, Zoroastrianism or Atropates, Azerbaijan
rightly bears the name „the land of fire“.