The Mediterranean Sea is called Akdeniz in Turkish, which literally translates to "White Sea". It may refer to the sea's colour or climate. Similarly, the Black Sea is called Kara Deniz while the Red Sea is Kizildeniz. The Caspian Sea is called Gökdeniz.
However, it is believed that the colours indicate, and in ancient Turkish are associated with, the geographical locations of the seas.
The associations in question are: black (kara) for the north (kuzey in modern Turkish); red (kızıl) for the south (güney); blue (gök) for the east (doğu); and white (ak) for the west (batı).
PNT-00961 > Jodocus Hondius (1563-1612), Peregrinatio Pauli [The travels of Paul], Print, 19x15 cm, ca. 1630
PNT-00819 > Baptista Homann (1664-1724), Imperium Turcicum in Europa, Asia et Africa, Print, 39x57 cm, ca. 1737
© Costas and Rita Severis Foundation
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