The Legendary Phoenix Bird in the Logo of the Karabakh Revival Fund

The logo of the Karabakh Revival Fund, established by the Presidential Decree of Ilham Aliyev on January 4, 2021, will feature the image of the legendary Phoenix bird.

It should be noted that the Karabakh Revival Fund, which bases its activities on the principles of transparency, accountability, and close cooperation with the public, had recently announced a competition for the design of its new logo. The main criteria for the logo design were simplicity and inspiration, while also embodying the ideas of development, revival, modernity and prosperity.

During the competition period, the Fund received close to nearly 50 applications via email. After evaluation based on the announced criteria, the logo presented by the "Maxmedia" creative agency was selected as the winner of the competition. The chosen logo in the competition features a legendary Phoenix bird in its emblem part, symbolizing eternal renewal, immortality and resurrection - a creature from ancient mythology believed to possess the ability to be reborn from its ashes.

Stages of creating the logo: 

Possessing extraordinary qualities and deriving its name from the color red, this mythical creature is known by various names in the mythology of ancient peoples, such as Anka, Simurgh, Phoenix, and others.

According to legend, the Phoenix bird offers its feathers to the people it loves, especially innocent individuals in need of help. When someone faces  hardship, the Phoenix instructs them to burn these feathers and call for assistance.

Moreover, the Phoenix is a bird that symbolizes life and teaches people the art of living by bringing the Tree of Life down from heaven to earth.

It is not by chance that it is said this bird sits on the "tree of knowledge". According to legend, as the Phoenix passes through fire and flames when ascending the Tree of Life, its wings perpetually burn. However, this bird is reborn from its  ashes, living eternally.

In Turkish mythology, this legendary bird is known as Gonrul and Togrul.

According to some sources, this bird is depicted on the flags of the famous ruler Attila of the Huns and some Oghuz tribes. According to legend, the Oghuz Khan found his first life partner under a tree with this bird on top of it.

The Gonrul bird in Turkish mythology is reminiscent of the Simurgh and Phoenix with similar narratives. However, it has two distinct characteristics.

Firstly, Gonrul is such a magnificent bird that it can fly up to the very edge of the sky.

Secondly, it has a twin counterpart, which is the Togrul bird.

According to one legend, the Togrul bird symbolizes the Mongols, while the Gonrul bird symbolizes the Turks.

Even today, in many parts of Hungary, where there is a historical connection to the Huns, Hungarians use sculptures of this bird, called Turul, as a national symbol in their coats of arms.

The color of the Gonrul bird is also crimson-red, symbolizing a type of fire. Even the name "qonur" refers to the color of the bird.

According to ancient myths, both the Phoenix and the Gonrul and Togrul birds are symbols of benevolence, new life and resurrection. Therefore, it is not at all coincidental that this bird finds its reflection in the logo of the Karabakh Revival Fund.

Before the occupation, Karabakh was a flourishing land where happy people lived. However, during the Armenian occupation, it was subjected to unprecedented destruction. Cities and villages were turned into ruins, greenery was destroyed and it turned into ashes.

Nevertheless, we were  sure that our desire to return to Karabakh and turn it back into a flourishing land would one day become a reality.

Today, our Karabakh, which has been turned into wilderness, its architecture destroyed and its nature devastated, is reborn from its ashes like the Phoenix bird, rising once again.

We can confidently say that in a very short time, we will restore our native Karabakh to its former beauty, develop it, revive it and restore its former glory and splendor. To achieve this, we  must be ready and contribute our  efforts.

In this regard, the Phoenix bird symbolizes not only the revival of our Karabakh but also the unity and solidarity of our people.