Why is the Black Sea called the Black Sea?

The Black Sea, located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, has an intriguing name. Several theories attempt to explain the origin of this name, combining cultural traditions, natural observations and historical interpretations.

One explanation is based on a Turco-Mongolian tradition that assigns colors to the cardinal points: black for north, white for south, red for west and yellow for east. According to this tradition, the sea north of Turkey was referred to as the Black Sea.

Another hypothesis suggests that the Black Sea takes its name from the dark color of its waters. Due to its depth and the presence of decomposing organic matter, its waters can appear black or very dark, especially on cloudy or stormy days.

The ancient Greeks called this sea Pontos Euxeinos, meaning “hospitable sea”. However, before they called it that, they used to call it Pontos Axeinos, meaning inhospitable sea, due to the frequent storms and hostile peoples on its shores. This linguistic evolution reflects a transition in the perception of the sea, from a negative image to a more positive connotation.

Some researchers suggest that the climatic conditions around the Black Sea, particularly the frequent fogs and storms, may have contributed to its name. These phenomena make the sea difficult to navigate, reinforcing the idea of a dark or dangerous sea.

The Black Sea’s name is probably the result of a combination of cultural, linguistic and natural factors. The Turko-Mongolian tradition of associating black with the north, the observation of dark waters and the cultural perceptions of ancient peoples may have contributed to the name. Although the exact origin remains open to interpretation, these explanations help to explain why this sea bears this intriguing name.

You may also be interested in

• Why is the Dead Sea called the Dead Sea?
• Why is the Red Sea called the Red Sea?