THE NAME AND LOGO
Why Nodfyr?
The term Nodfyr comes from Old Germanic and represents a remote and significant tradition of various European cultures, including Celtic, Saxon, Scandinavian, Germanic, Slavic and others. The Nodfyr, also known as the "fire of necessity" (in english is known by Need-fire), was a communal fire, lit by friction, which played a central role in the life of villages and communities in Europe before the arrival of Christianity.
This fire was produced communally, and its creation involved a specific ritual: at certain times, all the inhabitants of the village would put out their domestic fires and wait for the Nodfyr to be lit in order to take the new fire to their homes, fields, pastures and cattle through the protective smoke. The act of lighting the Nodfyr was not only a practical necessity, but also a symbolic gesture of renewal and purification. The various peoples believed in the sacred properties of this fire, and it was used to bless agriculture, hunting, guarantee the health of livestock, and offer protection against pests and adverse weather conditions. With the spread of Christianity in Europe, the practice of Nodfyr was seen as pagan and, from the 8th century onwards, it was completely banned and persecuted. This fire, which can be considered ‘our indigenous fire’ in Europe, gradually disappeared from the continent's cultural practices.
The Prescribed Fire Association of Europe – NODFYR Portugal has adopted the term Nodfyr to honour this ancestral practice and underline the importance of recovering and valuing knowledge about the use of fire in a conscious and communal way. Nodfyr is a word that is easily pronounced in all European languages and carries with it a legacy of connection with the earth and nature, which the association seeks to rekindle.
Through the use of the term Nodfyr, we seek to remember and revalue this European tradition of uniting communities around fire, not only as a tool for environmental and ecological management, but also as a cultural element that strengthens the bonds between people and their environment.
Obtaining the sacred "living" Fire. With reconstruction according to A.P. Lyavdansky, 1928
The Logo
The logo of the Prescribed Fire Association of Europe - Nodfyr Portugal is a symbol full of meaning, reflecting the mission and values of our association. Inspired by tradition and humanity's ancestral relationship with fire, the logo is made up of several elements that come together to tell the story of prescribed fire in Europe.
The Flame in the Shape of a Tree: In the centre of the logo, the stylised flame in the shape of a tree represents the traditional use of fire, rooted in ancient practices that go back to our deepest roots. This fire tree symbolises nature and the historical connection of human beings with fire as an essential tool for managing landscapes and the survival of communities. The tree's deep roots emphasise the legacy and ancestral knowledge that the association seeks to preserve and promote.
The White Colour of the Flame: The flame is represented in white, symbolising the concept of ‘cool fire’ - a type of ‘pastured’ fire that doesn't burn with destructive intensity, but rather in a calm and beneficial way for the soil. This fire is used to renew ecosystems and protect landscapes, in line with the principles of sustainability and respect for nature.
The Blue Shield of Europe: The white flame is superimposed on a blue shield, which represents Europe. The blue shield symbolises European unity and identity, reinforcing NODFYR's vision as a pan-European association that aims to reintroduce prescribed fire practices across the continent, while respecting local and regional traditions.
The Three Rings: Surrounding the flame and shield are three rings, each representing a space in the ancient form of human occupation (known as the Roman trilogy) where fire has played a crucial role throughout history:
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The First Ring - Ager: Represents agricultural fields, areas cultivated and inhabited by human communities, where fire was used to clear land and fertilise the soil.
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The Second Ring - Saltus: Refers to pasture areas, where fire was used to promote pasture renewal and control pests.
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The Third Ring - Sylva: Symbolises forests, where fire was a natural tool for forest management and hunting, promoting biodiversity and reducing the risk of fires.
The Name and Identity of the Association: Between the second and third rings, the logo includes the name of the association in English, ‘Prescribed Fire Association of Europe’, at the top. At the bottom is the word ‘Nodfyr’ followed by the country or region of origin, in this case ‘NODFYR Portugal’. This arrangement emphasises the inclusive and pan-European nature of the association, uniting different regions under a common purpose.
The NODFYR logo is therefore a visual representation of our mission: to promote the traditional and technical use of fire as a sustainable management tool, respecting the cultural and environmental roots of each region and community in Europe.
