Extract from the Constitution of The Republic of Azerbaijan:
Article 23. The symbols of the Republic of Azerbaijan
I. The national symbols of the Republic of Azerbaijan are the national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the national emblem of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
II. The National flag of the Azerbaijan Republic consists of three equal stripes. The upper stripe is blue, the middle stripe is red and the lower stripe is green and in the middle of the red one on both sides of the flag there are a white-colored crescent and eight-point star. The width across length of the flag is 1:2.
III. The image of the national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the national emblem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the music and the text of the National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan are defined by the Constitution.
THE NATIONAL FLAG of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The national flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan is the symbol of sovereignty of Azerbaijan.
The three-color national flag of Azerbaijan was accepted in the meeting of government of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan on November 9, 1918, and raised in the building of the Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (at present the building of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic). Until April 27, 1920- the collapse of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic that national flag was considered as national; however, as a result of Soviet invasion of Azerbaijan, the tricolor flag of the Republic was lowered outside the parliament building on May 3, 1920.
That flag, remembrance of Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, was restored and declared the national flag of the Autonomous Republic on November 17,1990 at a session held by the initiatives and guidance of Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev. At the same time, the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic petitioned to the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSR for recognition of the three-color flag the national flag of Azerbaijan. The Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan Republic considered the petition of the Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and approved the three-color flag the national flag of the Azerbaijan Republic on February 5, 1991. Afterwards, National Leader was noting regarding it: “I think that approved decisions of Supreme Majlis of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic highly influenced on the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the head of Azerbaijan was obliged to approve those decisions. That flag raised in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on November 17, 1990, and in the Republic of Azerbaijan on February 5, 1991.
In accordance with the decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev on the establishment of the State Flag Day dated November 17, 2009, the State Flag Day is celebrated annually on November 9 in Azerbaijan.
In the inauguration of the State Flag Square dated September 1, 2010 in Baku, pointing out the special importance of national flag, the Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev accentuated: “Our flag is our pride source. Our flag is our soul, our heart. Today, National flag is waving in every part of Azerbaijan. After restoration of territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, our National Flag will be raised on the lands liberated from occupation. Our flag will wave in the Nagorno-Karabach, Khankendi, Shusha. We have to bring those days closer and closer every moment and we are bringing. All hail for the National Flag of Azerbaijan Republic!”
On April, 2016, Glorious Azerbaijan armed forces raised the National Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Lale Tepe as a result of their successful counter-attack military operation. After that, our flag raised on the Cocuq Mercanli which is liberated from occupation and became safe for people to live. By the relevant orders of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Cocuq Mercanli restored within a short time, and started to implement “Great Return” project on returning refugees to their lands.
Appreciating the significant contribution of Azerbaijani armed forces in the victory of April fights in 2016, President of Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev mentioned: “April fights should be included in the military textbooks. In terms of professionalism, and patriotism, April fights once again proved that nation of Azerbaijan is an heroic nation… April fights are our glorious military victory; it is a victory that shows the strength our country, nation and army. As a result of April fights, today, the National flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan is waving on the lands, Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and Aghdere which liberated from occupation. These fights show that Azerbaijan nation will never accept invasion, and will restore their territorial integrity. We will return to occupied lands. This is our main duty. As today our flag is waving on the lands that liberated last year, Azerbaijan flag will be raised on all occupied lands.
The blue strip in the National flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan designates the Turkish origin of the Azerbaijan Republic, the red color-its intention to create a modern state and develop the democracy, the green strip-its relation to the Islam civilization.
During preparation of the National flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan with industrial method, printing the image of colors, its blue color should be in accordance with Pantone 306C color of color catalog of “Panton”, its red color- Pantone Red032C, and the green color- Pantone 362C.
THE NATIONAL EMBLEM of the Republic of Azerbaijan
The National emblem of the Republic of Azerbaijan symbolizes the independence of Azerbaijan.
It is an updated version of the draft of the National emblem first prepared at the time of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic.
The government of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan declared a competition on the national emblem of Azerbaijan on January 30, 1920 and made a decision to present the emblem model on May of the same year. However, due to the collapse of the Azerbaijan democratic Republic On April 28, 1920, the emblem was not approved.
On November 17, 1990, Supreme Medjlis of Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic discussed issue connected with the National Emblem, and petitioned to the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan SSR for declaration of a new competition on the National emblem. The competition was declared by the decision of the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan on February 5, 1991, and by the Constitutional Law of the Supreme Council of the Azerbaijan Republic, approved on January 19, 1993, one of the projects, developed in 1919-1920 with certain alterations was confirmed the national emblem of the Azerbaijan Republic.
The National emblem of the Republic of Azerbaijan consists of the image of an oriental shield and a semicircle formed by the branches of an oak-tree and ears resting on it. The shield contains the image of a fire in the center of an eight-point star against a background of the colors of the National flag of Azerbaijan. In the colored image of the National emblem of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the star is white, the fire is red, the branches of an oak-tree are green, and ears are yellow. The edges of the shield and stars are surrounded by a golden color, as well as acorns and oak panel buttons are golden.
THE NATIONAL ANTHEM of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Composer: Uzeyir Hadjibeyov
Text: Ahmed Djavad
Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan!
The heroic patriotic glorious land!
To die for you we are glad and we are ready!
If there is need to shed blood
We are too ready!
With three color banner live happily!
Sacrifices too many done,
Every soldier to front has gone!
When your chest was field of battle!
Come back as a heroic son!
Let me see you flourish,
Let your enemies perish!
I love you, my dear land
Be mightier we do wish!
To safeguard your sacred land,
To hold high your honored flag,
All the youngsters are too glad!
Glorious land, glorious land!
Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan!
The Council of Ministers of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic carried out a decision on the development of the national anthem of the Republic on January 30, 1920 and for this purpose the Ministry of National Education declared a competition. Yet the collapse of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic on April 28, 1920 prevented this process.
The Parliament approved a law "On the national anthem of the Azerbaijan republic" on May 27, 1992. The law approves the "March of Azerbaijan", created by outstanding composer Uzeyir Hadjibeyov and poet Ahmed Djavad in 1919, the national anthem of the Azerbaijan Republic.
The National anthem of the Azerbaijan Republic” was approved pursuant to Law of National Assembly of the March 2, 1993. In 2000 and 2004, several changes were made to the National anthem. According to this Law, the National anthem is played in the below mentioned situations:
- At the opening and closing of the sessions of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- When President of the Republic of Azerbaijan attends in the meetings of the National Assembly of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- During the opening and closing of ceremonial meetings and events dedicated to state holidays;
- At the beginning and end of the national television and radio broadcasts of the Republic of Azerbaijan every day;
- On the occasion of important historical events in the life of Azerbaijani people and state;
- During inauguration of the monuments and boards in honor of the prominent political, state, military figures, national heroes, scientists, literary and art figures of Azerbaijan;
- While the National flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan is raised in the ceremonies and other solemn events held by the state and public bodies, institutions, enterprises and organizations;
- After playing the National anthem of the respective country while the heads of state and government of foreign countries who visits the Republic of Azerbaijan for the official meeting are welcomed and settled;
- Other situations in which the National anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan plays may also be envisaged in the legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
- In all cases, the National anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan is performed in full.
- Touching upon the merits of the National anthem, the National leader Heydar Aliyev noted: “We must love our national anthem and our flag as much as ourselves. Because it is a symbol of loyalty, love to our motherland, our nation and our state!”