Why is the White Sea called white, the Black Sea black, the Red Sea red, and the Yellow Sea yellow? Why was the White Sea called the White Sea? History White formation under the sea what is the name

In search of an answer to the question of why the sea is so called, one can stumble upon a lot of assumptions and hypotheses. Let's look at the most compelling of them. We will also try to answer the question of why the sea is called the sea and nothing else.

Why is the accumulation of salt water in a vast depression in land relief called a sea? Some sources claim that the word "sea" comes from the Proto-Slavic form *morje. The word itself originates from Israeli mythology and biblical stories, where it denoted not only part of the world's oceans, but also various other bodies of water. It is noteworthy that this word had another interpretation. The ancient Jews sometimes referred to them as all the world's evil.

And now let's try to figure out why some seas have such unusual names and whether they are directly related to the color palette.

Why is the Black Sea called black?

There are several answers to this question. According to one theory, this sea got its name thanks to the Turks, who for a long time were unable to cross it in order to conquer the peoples who inhabited the coastal strip. It was then that they gave him the nickname "Kara-den-giz", which means "inhospitable", "unkind". Well, the black color, obviously, they associated with bad hospitality.

Sailors who sail on it say that it appears black at the time of the storm. But in fairness, it is worth saying that this sea storms with a force of more than 6 points from the strength of only 20 days a year, and the rest of the time it seems more azure than black.

There is a version that it got its name due to the silt thrown ashore, but it is also more gray than black.

A more plausible version seems to be that the Black Sea got its name due to the fact that any object lowered to its bottom and removed from there after some time will be black, which it will acquire due to the accumulation of hydrogen sulfide at great depths. And who called the Black Sea black for the first time, history is silent.

Why is the Red Sea called red?

There are two main answers to this question. According to one, it appears red at the time of flowering of a special kind of algae. According to another version, for the first time it was named so by travelers who saw how coastal rocks reflected in its waters, painted red by sunset or sunrise.

It is noteworthy that this sea is not called red in the language of the peoples living on its shores. In this area, it is more called reed or reed because of the rapid growth of these plants in the vicinity of the Suez Canal.

Why is the Dead Sea called dead?

Death from swimming in the waters of the Dead Sea definitely does not threaten you, rather, on the contrary. The high concentration of useful salts in this sea has a pronounced healing and even rejuvenating effect on the human body.

But many other organisms cannot live in these waters, for which such a concentration of salts, which does not even allow the human body to sink to the bottom of this sea, is simply fatal. The density of the water of this sea is many times greater than the density of fresh water. It has also been observed that the oxygen content in the air in the Dead Sea region is more than 15%, and people sunbathing on its shores do not experience the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Why is the White Sea called white?

But the answer to the question of who first called the White Sea white, we know quite reliably. This name is found on the map of Peter Plaicius, which was compiled at the end of the 16th century. The more common and most confirmed version of why the White Sea is called white is the version that the water in it really has a whitish tint that does not change depending on weather conditions. It is believed that the sea acquires this shade due to the reflection of the white northern sky in it.

The sacred and beautiful, cold and calm White Sea, which stands out with its characteristic outlines on the map of Russia, has given rise to more than one legend.

Not only stories about monsters and miracles, taken from Scandinavian mythology and Orthodox chronicles of the northern lands, are interesting. The origin of the name itself is mysterious: scientists still have doubts about why the White Sea is called that.

The White Sea is located in the basin of the Arctic Ocean. It is deeply "integrated" into the mainland, and therefore lies almost entirely south of the Arctic Circle.

This is partly why the White Sea is considered the warmest of the entire Arctic basin. Relatively small in size, in terms of area it can only compete with Azov (on the territory of Russia).

Origin of the name of the White Sea

The most popular version blames the name of the sea on ice, which completely hides the water under itself for most of the year.

Under the thick white crust and snow-covered hills, it is difficult to recognize the raging elements. From an airplane, the sea looks like a winding ribbon from a neat apron of a first grader.

There are two more elegant versions of the origin of the White Sea toponym:

1. The Northern White Sea was considered sacred, so it was assigned a color that has a light, divine meaning. Initially, the meaning of its name was closely associated with the Heavenly Sphere.

2. The sea was called white for its fantastic ability to keep this shade of water at any time of the year.

Even in summer, the grayish sky is reflected in it, not allowing the expanses to take on a characteristic blue tone.

The rest of the days there is a thick fog over the surface. And even a rain drizzle, smoothly turning into snow, does not change the majestic picture.

These beautiful and cold theories could be stopped if not for a few old legends and scientific facts.

What was the name of the White Sea?

The ice-covered reservoir changed its name several times - from Severny and Studeny to Solovetsky (islands with that name are still in its water area).

Some peoples called it Calm, others called it not even the sea, but the White Bay.

But the most interesting names were given to it by Scandinavian mythology: the Bay of Serpents and the Bay of Monsters (“Gand-vik”, or “Kanda”).

Presumably, their fantasy was influenced by the harsh nature of the Arctic Ocean and the serpentine shape of the sea: from a height, it resembles a winding ribbon or a curved reptile.

Other "white" seas

White color is a popular solution not only in interior design, but also when choosing a variety of geographical names.

On the map, you can find not only “white” spots, but also rivers, seas, and peaks of the same shade.

Interestingly, Lithuanians and Latvians call the Baltic Sea white in their languages. Since ancient times, the word Balt meant snow color.

Therefore, every self-respecting Baltic citizen has no doubt that Baltijas is White.

There is another sea that has taken on an innocent shade - the Aegean. Only the Greeks call it Aegean.

But the Bulgarians (and other Slavs from the southern shores) still, like centuries ago, are not inferior to them, assuring that the true name of the sea is White. And from here another theory takes its trail, why the Russian White Sea is so called.

Toponymy from the Mediterranean

There is a version that during the Middle Ages, pilgrims from Russia often visited the monasteries of Serbia and Bulgaria. There they could get acquainted with the true White Sea and bring the historical name to their northern latitudes.

Confirmation of this is often found in chronicles, so the version has the right to life. True, historians cannot reliably name the starting point of the toponym, because in some sources the Aegean Sea is called White, and in others - the Mediterranean.

Why, you ask, was it necessary to borrow other people's names for their native places?

Scientists have an answer: in the Middle Ages, most of the Russian north had pagan names. The sea kept its Scandinavian roots and was called the Gulf of Kanda.

During the period of active pilgrimage, the monks from the Solovetsky Islands undertook to “change the picture” towards the Orthodox, truly Slavic side.

But where do you get ideas from? Of course, from the source of wisdom - from the Christian lands on the Mediterranean.

So on Solovki appeared (you won’t believe it!) Its own Mount Golgotha, as well as Mount Sinai and Mount Eleon not far from the Pomeranian villages.

And then on the map dated 1592, the toponym White Sea was for the first time indicated.

Which of us in childhood did not ask the question: why were the seas called White, Yellow and Red? After all, even kids know that water has a color from azure to deep blue, so the strange names of the seas do not go out of their heads for a long time. But over time, curiosity dries up, and the information once received is forgotten. Today we decided to remind why the White Sea was called the White Sea. And also talk about the origin of the names of some other seas on our planet.

Location of the White Sea on a geographical map

This reservoir is one of the smallest, washing the territory of our country. It is located in the north of the European part of the Russian Federation. Interestingly, on the one hand, the sea cuts very deeply into the land, but on the other, it belongs to the Arctic Ocean basin. The fact that most of the reservoir goes beyond the Arctic Circle and is cut into the land affects the fact that the White Sea is rightfully called the warmest of all the northern waters of our country.

Brief description of the White Sea

Hydrologists consider this reservoir to be very interesting, because the bottom topography here is heterogeneous, which makes the water area unique and one of a kind. There are a lot of islands in the White Sea, the most famous are the Solovetsky Islands.

Scientists divide the water area into several parts:

• pool (it is the deepest);
• throat (narrow part connecting to the Barents Sea);
• funnel;
• lips - Mezenskaya, Dvinskaya and Onega;

Interestingly, the climate within the White Sea combines several features:

• marine;
• continental;
• oceanic;
• mainland.

All of the above facts make the flora and fauna of this area unique. But they do not give an opportunity to answer the question of why the White Sea was called the White Sea. Therefore, we will continue the search for truthful information in the subsequent sections of the article.

The first annalistic references to the White Sea

If you are interested in why the White Sea was called the White Sea, history and chronicle sources will help you find information that sheds light on this topic. Scientists claim that for the first time the northern reservoir was mentioned in the eleventh century. Novgorod merchants very quickly assessed the possibilities of developing trade through the White Sea, moreover, these lands turned out to be rich in fur-bearing animals, and the waters - in fish. All together began to attract people here, so the coastal areas began to develop rapidly.

In the fourteenth century, the first large settlement, Kholmogory, was formed, which served as an international port. Merchants equipped numerous merchant ships from here to Denmark for two centuries. But foreigners first came to the White Sea only in the sixteenth century.

From that moment on, trade between England and Russia began to develop along this waterway, and later trade relations were established with other foreign powers.

But over time, the White Sea (which, however, was not yet White) lost its significance as a northern waterway. The construction of St. Petersburg significantly reduced the attractiveness of this region for merchants. Most merchant ships began to sail through the Baltic.

Probably, you ask, where is the answer to the question of why the White Sea was called the White Sea? We will provide facts and information on this topic. Don't be in a hurry.

White Sea: why is it so named and when

Scientists know that until the seventeenth century, the reservoir changed several names. At one time he was called Studeny, and this is not surprising. After all, more than six months of the year the sea is completely covered with ice, and life around it freezes. This was one of the main reasons that served as the transfer of the northern trade route to the waters of the Baltic. After all, half a year is a very big break in trading, during which a lot of profitable offers and opportunities are lost.

Sometimes the sea was called Solovetsky in honor of the largest islands in its basin. Historians are aware of references to this sea as the North Sea. This is due to its location and characteristics, because the reservoir is located in the most severe place in our country.

In some chronicles it is noted that the sea was called Calm. And this was also a very accurate description of it - it is difficult to expect storms and storms when the water is ice-bound for more than six months. But still, why was the White Sea called the White Sea? And when did it happen? On this score, scientists have only one version.

Around the end of the sixteenth century, the northern sea acquired two well-established names. The Scandinavians called it - Gandvik (Bay of Monsters), and the Slavs - White. On old maps, both designations are found. But still, after a hundred years, only the Slavic name remained in use - the White Sea. Under it, the reservoir got on all the geographical maps of that time and retained its name to this day.

Why was the White Sea called the White Sea?

Unfortunately, there is no unity in the scientific world about the origin of the name of the White Sea. This fact is not reflected anywhere in chronicle sources, but each of the following versions is quite viable on its own, and all of them together:

• The name was given by the ice. Since the sea is in ice shackles for more than half a year, it looks like a solid white stripe. It is not surprising that our ancestors characterized the sea by the color it has for most of the year.
• Sky reflection. Many hydrologists claim that even in summer the color of the White Sea water has a milky hue. The same color and the northern sky, reflected in the reservoir. Therefore, they began to call it in honor of the shade, which is so characteristic of these places.
• Despite the fact that this version cannot be confirmed, it seems plausible to many. For people, each color carries certain information. For example, red symbolizes beauty, but white is the divine principle. It was in the north, according to many scientists, that the ancestral home of all Slavs was located - the country of Hyperborea. Its inhabitants were endowed with numerous talents, abilities and knowledge. This allowed the Hyperboreans to become the most powerful people on the planet. But as a result of natural disasters, their country died, but the sea, in memory of their ancestors, began to be called White.

It is not known which of the versions is the most truthful, but everyone can choose from them the one that is more in line with his worldview. What do we know about other seas? How did their names come about?

Red, Black and Yellow Seas: the origin of the names

No less interesting are the stories of other famous seas of the planet. For example, the Black Sea got its name due to hydrogen sulfide, which is rich in its depths. Even in ancient times, sailors noticed that almost any object that was in the water for a long time was covered with a dense black coating.

There are several hypotheses about the origin of the name of the Red Sea:

• The waters of the sea are rich in microscopic algae, which at certain intervals acquire a brown color. During this period, sea water resembles blood in color.
• Some scholars argue that the name of the sea was given by the rocks that surround it. They have a brown color and a bright red tint at the break.
• Another hypothesis about the name of the sea is associated with the biblical Moses. Indeed, according to history, leading the Jews out of Egypt, he managed to push the waters of the Red Sea and expose its bottom, along which all the Jews crossed to the other side. But the Egyptian soldiers were buried under the water when, at the command of Moses, it closed over their heads. At that moment, the waters of the sea were stained with the blood of the dead. Since then, the name of the reservoir has stuck with it.

The Yellow Sea has very clayey shores, therefore, periodically, being washed away by the tides, they color the water in a yellow tint. Ancient people noticed this and gave the sea an appropriate name.

On our land, there are many places with unusual names, which sometimes reveal an interesting history of the local lands and waters.

Valeria Mikhailova about the Russian North

There is an easy way to learn more about life, and about God, about yourself: to see the mountains, the southern starry sky or the northern sea. And it's the northern one. Without churchkhela, without groups in striped bathing suits - calm, cold and harsh.

I saw him for the first time, this is the sea, on a campaign, and it was White. By evening, it became clear why this is so: in cloudy weather, closer to sunset or at dawn, the sky and the sea become the same color, the horizon line “sinks” into the sea, and it is absolutely impossible to distinguish where the water ends and the sky begins! Everything is white, smooth, cooled milk.

But it's not about dairy products. It's about the feeling of infinity: you look at this vast, calm expanse ... Silence rings in your ears, and everything spins and spins in your head an unusual question: “How? Such power, such breadth - and all this for us?! Little people! In a city where almost everything is man-made, you don't feel that everything is created .

White Sea

The inland sea of ​​the Arctic Ocean is located off the northern coast of the European part of the Russian Federation and covers an area of ​​90 thousand square meters. km. The White Sea is connected by waterways with several more seas - the Baltic, Azov, Caspian and Black, as well as with the White Sea-Baltic Canal. In the north, it connects with the Barents Sea, with the Gorlo and Voronka straits. On its coast there are several large ports. The most famous of them are Arkhangelsk, Onega and Belomorsk.

The White Sea got its name because in winter it is covered with a thick layer of ice and resembles a snow-covered white plain stretching over a vast territory. There is also a legend. At a time when the seas were just seas and no names had yet been assigned to them, our ancestors had small ships and went out to sea only in good weather, being afraid to get into a storm. The seas and sea routes were not yet well explored, but the first travelers were already appearing who devoted themselves to studying them.

Many geographical objects contain color definitions in their names (Yellow Sea, Black Sea, Red Sea, etc.). In all cases, these names are fully justified. In this simple way, the White Sea got its name.

But it can be assumed that the sea is named for the whitish color of the water, reflecting the northern sky. However, it is possible that the name "White" could mean "northern" in the system of color designations for the countries of the world.

It is interesting that for the first time the "White Sea" is presented on the map of Peter Plancius in 1592. And two years later, the Flemish cartographer Mercator displays on his map not only the Latin name "Album Mare", but also accompanies it with the Russian "Bella More".

By the way, according to one version, the Baltic Sea is also “white”, because the name is derived from the Latvian “balts” and the Lithuanian “baltas”, which in both cases means “white”.

The coast of the White Sea has been inhabited by Russians for a very long time. Basic information about this can be obtained from The Tale of Bygone Years, which states that the permanent settlements of Russian Pomor fishermen on the banks of the Northern Dvina and the White Sea appeared no later than the 11th century. For the first half of the 12th century, there is direct documentary evidence of some of these settlements. The ancient Novgorodians were among the first to travel to the "White Lands" (as they called the coasts of the White and Baltic Seas, which at that time could be perceived as one sea) and settled there.

Despite the harsh climate, the Russian coast-dwellers very quickly mastered this territory thanks to the rich forests on the shores and islands, which made it easy to rebuild towns and cities, engage in shipbuilding, but most importantly, the White Sea has always been rich in fish and seafood and remains so to this day. .