The Black Sea primarily gets its name from the Anatolian Turks' ancient system of using colors to denote cardinal directions, where 'black' symbolized the North.
The Anatolian Turkic Naming Convention
The most widely attributed origin for the name 'Black Sea' stems from the Anatolian Turks. Historically, these peoples employed a unique color-coding system to describe geographical directions. In this system:
- Black was associated with the North.
- White was associated with the South.
Given that the Black Sea lies to the north of Anatolia, it was consequently referred to as the "Black Sea" (or Kara Deniz in Turkish, meaning 'Black Sea'). This practice was a common way for them to orient themselves geographically, using a consistent and intuitive method.
To illustrate this directional color symbolism:
| Direction | Color Symbolism |
|---|---|
| North | Black |
| South | White |
| East | Blue or Green |
| West | Red or Yellow |
Historical Documentation of the Name
While the appellation is widely attributed to the Anatolian Turks, its appearance in written records has an interesting historical trail that extends beyond solely Turkish sources:
- The name first appeared in a Hungarian document, indicating its early adoption and circulation among different cultures.
- It subsequently emerged in sources originating further to the North, suggesting its spread across various regions.
- Notable mentions include Icelandic sagas and other Nordic narratives, demonstrating the name's reach into distant European lore and geography.
This historical spread underscores how the name, likely originating from a practical directional system, became a broadly accepted and recognized identifier for this significant body of water.
