Baku:Azerbaijan commemorates National Flag Day, marking 108 years since the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic adopted the iconic blue, red, and green tricolour. The history of state symbols in Azerbaijan dates back much earlier, with medieval banners signifying the authority of rulers and reflecting dynastic, religious, and political traditions.
According to Turan News Agency, three pivotal dates in the modern history of Azerbaijan’s flag are 1918, 1990, and 2009. In 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic established the tricolour as a national symbol, representing Turkic identity, modernisation, and Islamic cultural tradition. In 1990, the flag returned as a symbol of historical memory and political separation from the Soviet past. In 2009, National Flag Day was officially established, emphasizing continuity between the first independent republic and modern Azerbaijan.
The medieval period saw various banners representing different dynasties, such as the Shirvanshahs, Sajids, Shaddadids, and Ildegizids, with
symbols changing over time. The Qara Qoyunlu, Aq Qoyunlu, Safavid state, Baku Khanate, and Shaki Khanate each had distinctive banners, reflecting their rule. These banners primarily symbolized rulers and dynasties, rather than a unified national identity.
In contemporary Azerbaijan, the national flag has acquired new significance following the Second Karabakh War and the restoration of control over Karabakh in September 2023. The flag’s raising in Shusha, Khankendi, and other areas has become a symbol of restored territorial integrity and sovereignty. President Ilham Aliyev’s raising of the national flag in Khankendi on October 15, 2023, is particularly noteworthy in the official narrative of Azerbaijan’s recent history.
The Azerbaijani tricolour, while rooted in historical significance, continues to evolve. It unites various historical experiences, symbolizing national self-determination, departure from the Soviet system, and recent military victories. The flag also embodies modern citizenship, representin
g a state where citizens engage in shaping the public future, with a focus on rule of law, public trust, and equality. As Azerbaijan progresses, the tricolour’s significance will depend on the development of its institutions and public values.