The tricolor state flag adopted during the period of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic symbolized the triumph of our nation’s self-awareness, statehood thinking, and aspiration for freedom.

On November 9, 1918, by the decision of the Government of the Republic, the State Flag of Azerbaijan was approved — and that date was forever inscribed in our national history.

The flag consists of blue, red, and green colors.

•          The blue color represents our Turkic origin,

•          the red color stands for modernity and progress,

•          the green color symbolizes our connection to Islamic culture.

At the center of the flag are a white crescent and an eight-pointed star, reflecting the national and spiritual values of our people and the symbols of our statehood.

Unfortunately, the life of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic was short-lived. On April 28, 1920, as a result of the Bolshevik invasion, our tricolor flag was lowered, and our independent state was overthrown.

However, the Azerbaijani people never forgot the moral value of this flag — they preserved it in their hearts as a sacred symbol of independence.

Despite seventy years of Soviet rule, the aspiration for freedom never faded in Azerbaijan. The national liberation movement that began in the late 1980s reignited the flame of independence within our people’s hearts.

During this period, National Leader Heydar Aliyev played a historic role in the revival of the nation’s consciousness and statehood thinking.

On November 17, 1990, under Heydar Aliyev’s leadership as Chairman of the Supreme Assembly of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the tricolor flag was adopted as the state flag of Nakhchivan.

In the same decision, Heydar Aliyev proposed removing the words “Soviet Socialist” from the name of the Azerbaijan SSR — a major political step toward the establishment of an independent Azerbaijani state.

Subsequently, the tricolor was officially recognized as the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Thus, after seventy years, our people were reunited with their national symbol.

With the restoration of state independence in 1991, our tricolor flag began to wave proudly across the entire country.

The Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan defines the flag as one of the state’s principal symbols, with its colors, emblems, and meaning enshrined in Article 23.

Today, our tricolor flag is the embodiment of Azerbaijan’s sovereignty, international recognition, and national dignity.

It proudly waves not only in Baku but also over our embassies in world capitals, at the headquarters of international organizations, and in front of the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

The worthy successor of Heydar Aliyev’s political course, President Ilham Aliyev, treats our state symbols — including the tricolor flag — with great respect and care.

On November 17, 2009, at his initiative, the Decree on the Establishment of the State Flag Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan was signed.

According to this decree, November 9 is celebrated every year as State Flag Day.

By a decision of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) dated December 4, 2009, this date was officially granted the status of a public holiday.

Furthermore, in 2010, on the initiative of President Ilham Aliyev, the State Flag Square was established in Baku, featuring one of the world’s tallest flagpoles.

At the opening ceremony, President Ilham Aliyev expressed deep and meaningful words:

“The Azerbaijani flag is a source of pride for every Azerbaijani. This flag embodies our identity, our strength, our freedom, and our future.”

The fact that today our tricolor flag waves over the liberated lands of Azerbaijan was made possible by the sacrifice of thousands of heroic sons and daughters of the Motherland.

The path from the January 20 tragedy of 1990, through the First Karabakh War, to the 44-day Patriotic War, reflects the high price paid for the transformation of this flag into a true symbol of freedom.

Under the leadership of the Victorious Commander-in-Chief, President Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani Army defeated the enemy in the Patriotic War.

This historic victory ended thirty years of longing — our tricolor flag now waves proudly in Shusha, Aghdam, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, Gubadli, Zangilan, Lachin, Kalbajar, and finally, in Khankendi.

On October 15, 2023, President Ilham Aliyev raised the Azerbaijani flag in Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavend, Aghdara, and Asgaran.

That day became one of the most glorious pages in our history — our tricolor flag once again soared over the skies of Karabakh.

The state flag of Azerbaijan is not just a piece of cloth.

It carries within it the spirit, pride, history, and future of a nation.

It reminds us of our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for freedom and calls upon us to unity, progress, and a bright independent future.

The flag is a symbol of national solidarity.

Each time it is raised at state ceremonies, schools, sports arenas, or international events, it awakens in every Azerbaijani a deep sense of pride — the purest expression of love for the Motherland.

State Flag Day is not merely an official holiday — it is a day of moral pride and national remembrance.

Every color and every symbol of our tricolor flag speaks of our past, our present, and our future.

The Azerbaijani people have given thousands of lives for the honor of this sacred flag — and they will never forget its value.

As National Leader Heydar Aliyev said:

“The Azerbaijani flag is the symbol of the Azerbaijani state and its independence. To hold it high, to protect it, and to ensure it always flies above is the sacred duty of every Azerbaijani.”

Today, wherever our tricolor flag waves — in Shusha, Khankendi, Nakhchivan, Baku, or in any corner of the world — the voice, spirit, and greatness of Azerbaijan can be felt.

Bayram Khudayarov

Researcher at the Physics Institute of the Ministry of Science and Education,

Founder and admin  of the Facebook group "Followers of the Heydar Aliyev school", Active member of the New Azerbaijan Party