A blaze is an intensely burning fire, typically large, bright, and often destructive in nature.[1] The term also describes a brilliant or vivid display of light, color, or activity, such as a blaze of glory or a blaze of publicity.[2] Originating from Old Englishblæse, meaning "torch" or "bright flame," the word derives from Proto-Germanic blasō, related to concepts of shining or whiteness.[3]In broader usage, "blaze" serves as a verb meaning to burn fiercely or emit a strong light, as in "the sun blazed overhead."[4] It can denote a white marking on an animal's face, particularly a horse's forehead, stemming from the same etymological root implying paleness or brightness.[5] Additionally, "to blaze a trail" refers to pioneering a path by marking trees with cuts or notches, a practice originating in forestry and exploration to indicate routes through wilderness. These senses highlight the word's evolution from literal fire imagery to metaphorical expressions of intensity and innovation.[6]
Arts, entertainment, and media
Films
Blaze (1989) is an American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Ron Shelton.[7] The story is based on the 1974 memoir Blaze Starr: My Life as Told to Huey Perry by burlesque performer Blaze Starr and author Huey Perry.[8] It stars Paul Newman as Louisiana Governor Earl Long and Lolita Davidovich as Blaze Starr, depicting their passionate affair in the late 1950s that sparks a political scandal threatening Long's progressive agenda for the state's poor.[9] The film explores themes of love, power, and defiance against societal norms, blending humor with dramatic tension around the governor's re-election campaign.[10]Blaze (2018) is an American biographical drama directed by Ethan Hawke, offering a semi-fictionalized account of the life of outlaw country musician Blaze Foley.[11] The screenplay, co-written by Hawke and Sybil Rosen, draws from Rosen's memoir Living in the Woods with a Tree: Remembering Blaze Foley.[12] It stars Ben Dickey in his acting debut as Foley, alongside Alia Shawkat as his partner Sybil Rosen, Josh Hamilton, and Charlie Sexton, interweaving three timelines: Foley's romance with Rosen, his final night alive in 1989, and reflections on his influence by friend Townes Van Zandt.[13] The film premiered at the South by Southwest Film Festival in Austin, Texas, in March 2018.[14]Blaze (2022) is an Australian drama co-written and directed by visual artist Del Kathryn Barton in her feature directorial debut.[15] The film stars Julia Savage as 12-year-old Blaze, a girl who witnesses a violent sexual assault and turns to her vivid imagination—manifesting as a protective dragon—to cope with the trauma and navigate her path to womanhood.[16] Supporting roles include Simon Baker as her single father, Yael Stone, and Josh Lawson.[17] It premiered in the International Narrative Competition at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York in June 2022.[18]
Television
Blaze and the Monster Machines is an American CGI-animated preschool television series that premiered on Nickelodeon on October 13, 2014.[19] The show centers on Blaze, a bluemonster truck, and his young driver AJ as they embark on adventures in the fictional town of Axle City, solving challenges through races and problem-solving scenarios.[20] Each episode incorporates educational elements focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) concepts, such as friction, trajectories, and simple machines, often presented via interactive segments where viewers can participate.[21]Created by Jeff Borkin, Ellen Martin, and Ashley Griffis, the series is produced by Nickelodeon Animation Studio in collaboration with animation studios including Nerd Corps Entertainment for the first season and WildBrain Studios for subsequent seasons.[21] It features original songs that reinforce STEM lessons, with Blaze and his monster truck friends—such as Starla, Zeg, and Darington—teamworking to overcome obstacles posed by the antagonist Crusher.[20] The toy line, developed by Fisher-Price in partnership with Nickelodeon, complements the show's themes by offering playsets and vehicles that encourage imaginative STEM play.As of November 2025, Blaze and the Monster Machines has aired 180 episodes across nine seasons, with the ninth and final season premiering on February 6, 2025, and concluding on December 1, 2025.[22][23] The series has been praised for its engaging format that blends high-energy action with curriculum-aligned education, making it a staple of Nick Jr. programming for children aged 3 to 6.[19]
Literature
Blaze is a crime novel written by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Originally drafted in 1973 on an Olivetti typewriter, the manuscript was set aside after King's publisher selected 'Salem's Lot for publication instead; it was rediscovered in 2006 among King's papers at the University of Maine's Fogler Library, revised by the author, and released posthumously for the Bachman persona in 2007 by Scribner. The narrative centers on Clayton Blaisdell Jr., a dim-witted and physically imposing petty criminal known as Blaze, who is guided by hallucinations of his recently deceased partner, George Rackley, in plotting the kidnapping of a newborn from affluent parents for ransom. As Blaze cares for the infant, whom he names Joe, he grapples with an unexpected paternal affection amid mounting complications, while interspersed flashbacks depict his brutal upbringing under an abusive father at an orphanage. The novel delves into themes of inexorable fate, human tragedy, and the enduring scars of childhood trauma, evoking sympathy for its flawed antihero through taut suspense and introspective prose.[24]Blaze Starr: My Life as Told to Huey Perry is a 1974 memoir by the renowned burlesque performer Blaze Starr (born Fannie Belle Fleming), co-written with journalist Huey Perry and published by Praeger Publishers. The book chronicles Starr's journey from a impoverished childhood in a two-room log cabin in rural Mingo County, West Virginia—marked by her father's early death and family hardships—to her entry into show business as a teenager, beginning as a carhop and transitioning to stripping at venues like the Maryland Theater in Hagerstown and the New Albertina Burlesque Theater in Baltimore. By 1950, she had achieved stardom at the 51 Club in New Orleans's French Quarter, where she developed a passionate, years-long affair with Louisiana Governor Earl Kemp Long, a relationship that ignited a major political scandal in 1959 when exposed, leading to Long's brief involuntary commitment and amplifying Starr's national fame. The autobiography candidly explores her career highs in burlesque across major cities, encounters with celebrities and politicians, the personal toll of public scrutiny, and reflections on sensuality, ambition, and resilience in the male-dominated entertainment world of mid-20th-century America; it later inspired the 1989 film Blaze.[25]
Toys
Blaze, a rocking-horse-style riding toy, was produced by Mattel from 1961 through the mid-1960s. The toy featured a high-impact plastic body styled as a black-and-white pinto horse, measuring 41 inches tall and 36 inches long, mounted on a tip-proof tubular steel stand with fixed hand posts, footrests, and plastic reins.[26][27]Unlike traditional spring-based rocking horses, Blaze's design eliminated pinch hazards and tipping risks, with rocking motion causing all four legs to gallop realistically for an engaging play experience.[26][27] Many models incorporated a talking mechanism adapted from Mattel's Chatty Cathy doll, featuring a pull-string voice unit that played 11 phrases such as "How about some hay?" to enhance interactivity.[26][27]Mattel marketed Blaze as a safe and realistic alternative for children aspiring to ride real horses, targeting young cowgirls and cowboys through prominent television commercials that emphasized its stability and fun.[26][27] Originally priced around $48, the toy was discontinued after the mid-1960s, likely due to mechanical wear issues like failing voice boxes, but it remains a sought-after collectible, with well-preserved examples valued at several hundred dollars today.[27]Merchandise inspired by the Nickelodeon animated series Blaze and the Monster Machines includes die-cast monster truck vehicles, transforming figures, and playsets produced by Fisher-Price, a Mattel subsidiary, launched in 2015 to complement the show's STEM-focused adventures.[28]
Music
Groups
Blaze is an American house music group formed in Newark, New Jersey, in 1984 by Josh Milan, Kevin Hedge, and Chris Herbert.[29] The trio, with Milan contributing synthesizer work and vocal elements drawn from his church choir background, pioneered a style of deep house infused with gospel influences, which became a hallmark of their sound.[30] They gained prominence in the New York club scene during the late 1980s and 1990s, with tracks like "If You Should Need a Friend" (1990) exemplifying their emotive, soulful approach to electronic dance music.[29] Over their career, Blaze released several studio albums, contributing to the evolution of garage and house genres through collaborations and remixes that emphasized spiritual and uplifting themes.[31]Chris Herbert departed in the early 1990s to pursue R&B projects, leaving Milan and Hedge to continue as the core duo.[30]The Blaze is a French ambient electronic duo formed in 2017 by cousins Guillaume Alric and Jonathan Alric, both serving as producers and directors based in Paris.[32] Their music blends dub-influenced beats with introspective, cinematic soundscapes, often exploring themes of identity and emotion through self-directed music videos that integrate seamlessly with the tracks.[33] Debuting with the album Virile in 2018 on the Bromance label, they introduced singles like the title track "Virile" and "Heaven," which showcased their atmospheric production and visual storytelling. The duo followed with Jungle in 2020, expanding their palette with more experimental elements while maintaining a focus on evocative, minimalist electronica.[32] As of 2025, The Blaze remain active, performing at electronic music festivals and releasing live recordings, such as their 2025 album Folk captured at London's Royal Albert Hall, solidifying their influence in the ambient electronic scene.[34]
Albums
The original motion picture soundtrack for the 1989 film Blaze, directed by Ron Shelton, was released by A&M Records and features a selection of country, blues, and jazz standards that evoke the film's 1950s Louisiana setting.[35] Produced by Rob Fraboni with contributions from jazz saxophonist Bennie Wallace, the album includes performances by notable artists such as B.B. King on "C.C. Rider," Hank Williams on "Hey, Good Lookin'," and Fats Domino on "One Night," blending classic tracks to underscore the biographical drama about politician Earl Long and entertainer Blaze Starr.[36] The soundtrack received praise for its authentic Southern musical texture, helping to capture the era's cultural vibe without original compositions dominating.[37]Basic Blaze, the 1997 debut studio album by American house music duo Blaze (Kevin Hedge and Josh Milan), was issued by King Street Sounds and represents a cornerstone of New York garage house with its soulful vocals and deep grooves. Tracks like "My Beat" and "Klubtrance (Groove 'U' Up Mix)" exemplify the album's fusion of R&B influences and club-ready beats, produced in collaboration with vocalists such as Barbara Tucker, establishing Blaze as pioneers in the genre during the late-1990s underground scene. The release garnered acclaim for revitalizing house music with spiritual and uplifting themes, influencing subsequent electronic productions.Blaze, the self-titled debut album by Japanese hard rock band Blaze, was independently released in 2007 and showcases a blend of 1970s-inspired heavy riffs and melodic hooks characteristic of the Osaka metal scene. Formed in 1998 by guitarist Hisashi Suzuki, the album features tracks like "Rock 'n' Roll Tonight" and "Outlaw," drawing from classic hard rock acts while incorporating the band's high-energy live performance ethos.[38] It marked the group's emergence after years of local gigs, earning recognition among Japanese metal fans for its raw production and nostalgic yet fresh sound.[39]
Songs
"Blaze of Glory" is a rock song written and performed by Jon Bon Jovi as his debut solo single, released in May 1990 as part of the soundtrack for the film Young Guns II.[40] The track blends country-rock elements with an outlaw theme, featuring lyrics about facing death with defiance and featuring guitar work by Jeff Beck.[41] It topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for one week on September 8, 1990, marking Bon Jovi's first and only solo number-one hit. The song received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song at the 63rd Academy Awards in 1991, highlighting its cinematic impact.[42]
Sports and recreation
Mascots
Blaze the Dragon serves as the official mascot for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Blazers athletic teams, representing the university's sports programs since its introduction on January 6, 1996, during a men's basketball game at the UAB Arena.[43] The mascot is depicted as a green and gold fire-breathing dragon, weighing 35 pounds in its costume, which includes a 10-pound head, and was developed as part of UAB's athletic rebranding in 1995 to align with the launch of its NCAA Division I-A football program.[43] Prior mascots included an unnamed pink dragon in 1978, Beauregard T. Rooster from 1979 to 1992, and a Viking figure known as the Blazer or Blaze the Viking in 1993, which was discontinued due to community objections, including reports of it scaring children.[43][44]Blaze appears at UAB's basketball, football, and other athletic events, energizing crowds and participating in halftime shows and promotions.[43] The role is filled by student handlers selected through annual auditions, with four performers each year receiving cheerleading scholarships, stipends, and travel support to maintain the mascot's presence.[43] Beyond athletics, Blaze engages in campus activities and community events, including service initiatives around Birmingham, fostering school spirit and public outreach.[45][46] Sculptural representations, such as a 16-foot smoke-breathing statue installed in 2008 (later replaced with a fiberglass version in 2014) and a 2018 artwork titled "Blaze Means Business," further symbolize the mascot's enduring role in UAB's identity.[43]Blaze the Phoenix was the mascot for the 1996 Summer Paralympics held in Atlanta, Georgia, embodying the games' themes of renewal and perseverance as a colorful phoenix bird with a large wingspan and bright hues.[47] Designed by Atlanta artist Trevor Stone Irvin, the mascot drew from the city's traditional phoenix symbol, representing Atlanta's historical rebirth after the Civil War and evoking resilience for athletes with disabilities.[48][49] It symbolized the determination of participants to overcome challenges and achieve full lives, serving as an icon of disability empowerment during the event that drew over 4,000 athletes from 103 countries.[47][48]The mascot featured prominently in the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, where it helped convey the Paralympics' spirit to global audiences, and appeared on merchandise such as t-shirts, pins, water bottles, and playing cards, which sold widely and enhanced fan engagement.[48] Blaze's design received positive media coverage, often outshining the Olympicmascot Izzy.[48][49] Post-games, Blaze became the emblem for BlazeSports America, a key organization promoting adaptive sports in the United States and recognized as one of the most prominent symbols in disability sports.[47]
Teams
The Coventry Blaze is a professional ice hockey team competing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), the top tier of British ice hockey, and is based in Coventry, England.[50] The franchise traces its origins to the Solihull Barons, founded in 1965, which was renamed the Solihull Blaze in 1996 before relocating to Coventry's SkyDome Arena in 2000 and adopting its current name.[51] The team has secured four major championships, including the British National League title in 2002–03, the EIHL playoff championship in 2003–04, the Elite League title in 2009–10, and the EIHL playoff championship in 2014–15.[52] They play home games at the SkyDome Arena, a 3,000-capacity venue in central Coventry.[50]The Gold Coast Blaze was a professional basketball team that participated in Australia's National Basketball League (NBL) from 2007 to 2012, based in Gold Coast, Queensland.[53] Founded in November 2006 as an expansion franchise, the team played its home games at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, known as "The Furnace."[54] During its tenure, the Blaze reached the playoffs twice, advancing to the semi-finals in both the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons.[55] The franchise folded in July 2012 due to ongoing financial difficulties, with owners citing unsustainable losses exceeding $12 million over five years.[54][56]The Blaze is an English professional women's cricketteam representing the East Midlands region, primarily competing in the Vitality Women's Blast Twenty20 competition and the Metro Bank Women's One Day Cup 50-over tournament as of 2025. Originally established in 2016 as Loughborough Lightning, the team rebranded to The Blaze in November2022 following a move to Trent Bridge as its primary home ground in Nottingham. In 2024, The Blaze achieved their first major title by winning the Charlotte Edwards Cup, defeating the South East Stars by seven wickets in the final at Derby. In 2025, The Blaze won the Abu Dhabi Women's T20 title for the second successive year.[61] The team draws players from counties including Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and Nottinghamshire.The Atlanta Blaze was a professional men's field lacrosse team in Major League Lacrosse (MLL), serving as an expansion franchise based in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2016 to 2019.[62] The team played home games at Fifth Third Stadium and reached the playoffs for the first time in 2018, advancing to the semifinals before losing to the Denver Outlaws.[62] In February 2020, MLL announced it would cease operations of the Blaze ahead of the season, citing strategic realignment; this occurred prior to the league's full merger with the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) in December 2020, which unified professional outdoor lacrosse under the PLL banner.[62][63]
Other sports and games
In the video game Minecraft, the Blaze is a hostile flying mob that inhabits the Nether dimension, specifically spawning in nether fortresses. Introduced as part of the Beta 1.9 Prerelease 4 update released on October 13, 2011, Blazes appear as yellow, cuboid-shaped entities with a blocky core surrounded by rotating rods and black eyes, giving them a magical, non-humanoid appearance designed by Jens Bergensten. These mobs are aggressive, detecting players within 48 blocks and launching small fireballs as their primary attack method, which can alert nearby Blazes to join the assault; they are notably immune to lava and fire damage, making them formidable in the Nether environment.[64][65][65]Blazes serve a crucial functional role in gameplay, dropping blaze rods upon defeat, which players use to craft blaze powder for brewing potions and combining with ender pearls to create eyes of ender—essential items for locating and activating strongholds leading to the End dimension. They spawn from blaze spawners in fortress corridors, often in groups, and can be temporarily subdued with snowballs or water, though their fiery nature renders them resilient in their native biome. Since their debut in late 2011 alongside the full release of Minecraft 1.0, Blazes have become iconic Nether threats, emphasizing exploration risks and resource gathering in the game's survival mode.[65][64]The Utah Blaze was a professionalarena football franchise based in [Salt Lake City](/page/Salt Lake City), Utah, competing in the Arena Football League (AFL) from 2006 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2013 following the league's brief suspension. Playing home games at EnergySolutions Arena (later renamed Vivint Arena), the team achieved an overall regular-season record of 51-67, drawing average crowds of over 10,000 fans per game during its tenure. Notable seasons included 2007 (8-8, playoff appearance) and 2012 (12-6, advancing to the National Conference Championship after defeating the San Antonio Talons in the semifinals), marking the franchise's deepest postseason run. The Blaze suspended operations after the 2013 season (7-11 record) amid the AFL's ongoing financial challenges, though the league persisted until its 2019 collapse; the team is distinct from the earlier Utah Blaze indoor football club in other leagues.[66][67]
Businesses and organizations
Food and retail
Blaze Pizza is an American fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in customizable pizzas, founded in 2011 by Rick and Elise Wetzel in Pasadena, California. The chain emphasizes fresh ingredients and a build-your-own pizza model, where customers select from unlimited toppings before the pizza is assembled and baked. As of 2025, Blaze Pizza operates more than 340 locations across 38 U.S. states and 6 countries, with ongoing expansion through franchising agreements, including multi-unit deals in regions like Southern California. In November 2024, Blaze Pizza signed a multi-unit franchiseagreement for additional locations set to open in 2025.[68][69][70][71]A hallmark of Blaze Pizza's operations is its high-temperature conveyor ovens, which cook pizzas at 800–900°F in approximately 180 seconds, enabling rapid service while achieving a crisp crust and melty cheese. This fast-firing technique, combined with simple assembly-line ordering, positions the brand as a competitor to other quick-service pizza concepts. The company has attracted investment from prominent figures, including NBA star LeBron James, who became an early backer in 2012, alongside venture firms like Brentwood Associates, fueling its national footprint.[72][73]
Media and technology
Blaze Media is an American conservative media company formed in 2018 through the merger of TheBlaze and CRTV LLC.[74] Headquartered in Irving, Texas, the company is led by CEO Tyler Cardon.[75] It produces podcasts, videos, and news content distributed primarily through its streaming service BlazeTV, featuring prominent hosts such as Glenn Beck and Dave Rubin.[76] In 2024, Blaze Media expanded its offerings with the launch of Blaze News Tonight, a prime-time news program aimed at delivering daily analysis and breaking stories.[77]Backblaze is a cloud storage and data backup company founded in 2007 in Berkeley, California, by Gleb Budman and others.[78] Now headquartered in San Mateo, California, it provides B2 Cloud Storage, an S3-compatible object storage solution that supports scalable backups for enterprises and individuals, with personal backup plans offering unlimited storage at a flat rate.[79] The company went public on the Nasdaq in November 2021 under the ticker symbol BLZE.[80] Backblaze is recognized for its low-cost model, pricing B2 storage at approximately one-fifth the rate of Amazon Web Services while maintaining high performance and free egress up to three times the stored data volume.[81]Blaze.ai is an AI-powered content creation platform launched in 2023 by founder and CEO Adam Nathan, designed to automate marketing tasks for small businesses and solo teams.[82] It generates SEO-optimized blog posts, social media content, and email newsletters in a user's brand voice, integrating with tools like WordPress for seamless auto-publishing and metadata population.[83] Popular among marketers, the platform has served over 30,000 entrepreneurs and claims to have saved users more than 300,000 hours while generating $15 million in revenue.[84] Blaze.ai raised approximately $9.5 million in funding across two rounds, including a Series A investment, to support its growth in AI-driven marketing automation.[85]
Places and geography
Settlements
Blaze is an unincorporated community located in Morgan County, in the eastern part of Kentucky, United States.[86] Situated at the head of Yocum Creek, approximately 9.5 miles northwest of the county seat West Liberty, the community lies along Kentucky Route 1002, about 3 miles north of the intersection with Kentucky Route 519.[87] Morgan County itself is part of the Appalachian region, as designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission, encompassing the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains and characterized by rural landscapes and Appalachian cultural heritage.[88]The community's post office was established on November 11, 1896, with Asberry Donohew serving as the first postmaster.[87] Local tradition holds that the name "Blaze" derives from a horse owned by Eby Blankenship.[87] Earlier, the area was known as "Gritter," a reference to the local practice of gritting corn, and later as "Head of Yocum."[87] The post office operated until its closure in September 1987.[87]As of 1978, Blaze was a small rural settlement featuring a few homes and Black's Grocery.[87] Yocum Creek, which runs through the area, is a tributary within the watershed of the North Fork Licking River, contributing to the region's scenic and hydrological features.[89] Nearby Yocum Falls, a 100-foot plunge waterfall on the creek, serves as a notable natural attraction, particularly in winter when ice formations enhance its appeal.[87]
Natural features
Blaze Mountain is a prominent summit in the Madison Range of the Rocky Mountains, located in Madison County, Montana, rising to an elevation of 10,384 feet (3,165 meters).[90] This peak is part of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness within the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, featuring rugged terrain with steep gullies and alpine meadows that support diverse wildlife, including mountain goats.[91] Its north-facing slopes often retain snow into late summer, attracting backcountry skiers and hikers seeking remote natural experiences.[92]In eastern Kentucky, Blaze Falls represents a striking hydrological feature within the Appalachian foothills, consisting of three segmented drops totaling an estimated 80-90 feet (24-27 meters) in height along an unnamed tributary in Morgan County.[93] The falls cascade over layered sandstone ledges, creating a series of ledge-type pours amid forested ravines, though access is limited as the site lies on private property near the small community of Blaze, which borders expansive woodlands.[94] This waterfall exemplifies the region's Appalachiangeology, where seasonal streams carve dramatic erosional features through the Cumberland Plateau's sandstone landscape.[95]
People
Given names
Blaze Alexander (born June 11, 1999) is an American professional baseball infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB).[96] Drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 11th round (339th overall) of the 2018 MLB Draft out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, Alexander has been recognized for his speed and defensive versatility across the infield, including shortstop, second base, and third base.[97] In the minor leagues, he has posted notable stolen base totals, such as 28 in 109 games during the 2022 season with the Triple-A Reno Aces, highlighting his base-running prowess.[98] Alexander made his MLB debut on March 28, 2024, and has appeared in 131 games for the Diamondbacks through the 2025 season, batting .237 with 10 home runs and 49 RBIs.[97]Blaze Jordan (born December 19, 2002) is an American professional baseball first baseman and third baseman in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.[99] Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the third round (89th overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft directly out of DeSoto Central High School in Southaven, Mississippi, Jordan quickly established himself as a top prospect due to his power hitting and plate discipline.[100] As a high school standout, he was named the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year in 2020 after posting a .632 batting average with 19 home runs.[99] Jordan made his professional debut in 2021 and progressed through the minors, reaching Triple-A Memphis by 2025 following a trade to the Cardinals on July 30, 2025, in exchange for pitcher Steven Matz. In 2025, he batted .284 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs across Double-A and Triple-A levels, showcasing his potential as a corner infielder.[100]
Surnames
Blaze is a relatively uncommon surname associated with individuals in various fields, including professional wrestling and education in colonial Ceylon.Bobby Blaze, born Robert Smedley on June 25, 1963, in Ashland, Kentucky, is an American retired professional wrestler who competed under the ring name Bobby Blaze across multiple promotions during the late 1980s through the 2000s.[101] He debuted on September 11, 1988, and gained prominence in Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW), where he was known for his tag team performances, including partnerships that challenged for the SMW Tag Team Championship and matches against teams like Well Dunn.[102] Blaze also appeared in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), competing on undercard events such as WCW Saturday Night in 1997, where he faced opponents like Chris Benoit, and contributed to WCW-related video game motion capture.[103] After active competition in independent circuits during the 1990s and early 2000s, including stints in USWA where he held tag team titles with Robert Gibson, Blaze transitioned to roles outside full-time in-ring wrestling by the 2010s, authoring an autobiography in 2013 that detailed his career experiences.[104][105]Louis Edmund Blaze (September 29, 1861 – August 4, 1951) was a prominent Sri Lankan Burgher educationist of Dutch descent, best known as the founder and first principal of Kingswood College in Kandy, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).[106] Born in Kandy to coffee merchant Louis Ezekiel Blaze and Henrietta Charlotte (née Garnier), he received his education at Trinity College, Kandy, becoming the first alumnus to earn a B.A. from Calcutta University, and briefly served as assistant headmaster at Lahore Boys' High School in 1890.[106] On May 4, 1891, Blaze established Boys' High School (renamed Kingswood College in 1896) with just 11 students, leading it for 32 years until his retirement in 1923 and expanding it into a key institution emphasizing character development and Methodist values in the colonial education system.[106] Post-retirement, he was appointed Justice of the Peace for the Kandy District, contributing to local governance and the colonial legal framework, and was honored with the Order of the British Empire in 1929 for his educational services, later elevated to a higher rank.[106] Blaze also authored works such as A History of Ceylon for Schools (1910s editions) and K.F.E: The Story of Kingswood College, Kandy (1934), which documented Ceylonese history and his school's legacy.[107]
Stage names
Blaze Bayley, born Bayley Alexander Cooke on 29 May 1963 in Birmingham, England, is an English heavy metal singer known for his powerful vocals. He rose to prominence as the frontman of the band Wolfsbane from 1985 to 1995, during which the group released albums such as Downfall: The EPs (1991). Bayley then served as Iron Maiden's lead singer from 1995 to 1999, contributing to albums including The X Factor (1995) and Virtual XI (1998). Following his departure from Iron Maiden, he launched a solo career under the name Blaze Bayley, beginning with Silicon Messiah (2000) and continuing with releases like The Man Who Would Not Die (2008), part of a thematic exploration of resilience and survival.[108][109]Blaze Foley, born Michael David Fuller on 18 December 1949 in Malvern, Arkansas, was an American country-folk singer-songwriter associated with the Outlaw Country movement. Growing up in Texas, he performed in his family's gospel group, the Singing Fullers, before adopting his stage name and developing a raw, poetic style in Austin's music scene during the 1970s and 1980s. His song "If I Could Only Fly," a poignant ballad about longing and escape, gained wider recognition through Merle Haggard's cover on the 1979 album Serving 120 Days in Pentridge. Foley was murdered on 1 February 1989 in Austin, Texas, at age 39, in a shooting stemming from a dispute; his life inspired the 2018 biographical film Blaze, directed by Ethan Hawke.[110][111]Blaze Starr, born Fannie Belle Fleming on 10 April 1932 in Wilsondale, West Virginia, was a prominent American burlesque performer and striptease artist. She began her career in Washington, D.C., before gaining fame in New Orleans at the Sho-Bar club on Bourbon Street in the 1950s, where her act featured elaborate costumes and a signature red hairdo. Starr's high-profile affair with Louisiana Governor Earl Long, which began in 1959 and became a national scandal, led to Long's temporary institutionalization and contributed to his political downfall; the relationship was detailed in her 1974 memoir Blaze Starr: My Life as Told to Huey Perry. After retiring from burlesque in the 1970s, she became a born-again Christian and evangelist, settling in North Carolina until her death on 15 June 2015 at age 83.[112][113][114]Blaze Ya Dead Homie, born Chris Rouleau, is an American rapper and horrorcore artist signed to Psychopathic Records. Emerging from the Detroit underground in the late 1990s, he initially worked as a hype man for Twiztid before releasing his self-titled debut EP in 2000 and full-length album 1 Less G in the Hood in 2001, which established his style of gritty, supernatural-themed narratives. Known for collaborations with Insane Clown Posse, including features on their albums and joint tours, Rouleau's work embodies the label's Juggalo culture with tracks blending gangsta rap and macabre storytelling.[115]Just Blaze, born Justin Gregory Smith on 8 January 1978 in Paterson, New Jersey, is an influential American hip-hoprecord producer recognized for his soul-sampled beats and innovative sampling techniques. He gained prominence in the early 2000s through production on Jay-Z's The Blueprint (2001), including hits like "Hovi Baby" and "U Don't Know," which popularized the "chipmunk soul" sound via pitched-up samples from classic R&B records. Smith founded Fort Knox Productions in 1999 as a production team, contributing to a wide range of artists and shaping the era's hip-hop aesthetic with high-energy, orchestral flips of vintage soul.[116][117]Johnny Blaze is a stage name occasionally used by Method Man, born Clifford Smith Jr. on 2 March 1971 in Hempstead, New York, a core member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Drawing from the Marvel Comics character Ghost Rider, Smith adopted the alias in the mid-1990s during the group's early solo endeavors, first prominently on the 1995 track "Wu-Gambinos" from Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. The name appeared in his early mixtapes and features, reflecting his versatile persona amid Wu-Tang's collaborative output, though he primarily performs as Method Man.[118][119]
Fictional characters
Comics and film
One of the most prominent fictional characters named Blaze in comics is Johnny Blaze, the original Ghost Rider in Marvel Comics. Created in 1972 by writer Gary Friedrich and editor Roy Thomas, with art by Mike Ploog, Johnny Blaze first appeared in Marvel Spotlight #5 as a stunt motorcyclist who makes a Faustian bargain with the demon Mephisto to save his adoptive father, Crash Simpson, from cancer.[120][121] This deal curses Blaze, bonding him eternally with the demon Zarathos, transforming him into the anti-heroic Ghost Rider—a skeletal figure with a flaming skull for a head, wielding a hellfire-infused chain as a weapon, and riding a blazing motorcycle empowered by infernal flames.[122] As the Spirit of Vengeance, Ghost Rider possesses superhuman strength, immortality, and the ability to project hellfire, punishing the guilty by staring into their souls with the Penance Stare, which forces them to experience their sins' torment.[122]The character has been adapted to film, with Nicolas Cage portraying Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider (2007), directed by Mark Steven Johnson, where Blaze battles the demon Blackheart while grappling with his demonic curse.[123] Cage reprised the role in the sequel Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011), directed by Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, depicting Blaze in Eastern Europe as he protects a boy prophesied to defeat the Devil, emphasizing his internal struggle against Zarathos' influence.[124]In DC Comics, Blaze is a demonic entity and one half of the sibling duo Blaze and Satanus, introduced as antagonistic forces in Superman storylines during the early 1990s, with Lady Blaze debuting in Action Comics #655 (1990) and her brother Lord Satanus in Adventures of Superman #493 (1992). Their sibling rivalry and infernal ambitions were first explored in the "Blaze/Satanus War" crossover, including Superman: The Man of Steel #15 (1991).[125][126] They were later revealed as half-demon offspring of the ancient wizard Shazam and a seductive hellhound demoness.[127] As rulers vying for dominance in Hell's underworld, Blaze schemes to consolidate power, often disguising herself as the human nightclub owner Angelica Blaze to corrupt souls on Earth.[127] She manipulates Superman by posing as an angelic ally, tricking him into aiding her against Satanus during their civil war for Hell's throne, which spills into Metropolis and forces the Man of Steel to navigate demonic deceptions in arcs like those in Adventures of Superman.[125][127] Their conflicts highlight themes of infernal politics, with Blaze employing fire-based powers, soul-stealing, and dimensional travel to challenge heroes and demonic rivals alike.[125]
Video games
Blaze is a fire elemental character in the Mortal Kombat fighting game series, first appearing as an enigmatic burning figure in the background of the Pit II stage in Mortal Kombat II (1993).[128] Created by the Edenian protector god Argus and his wife Delia to avert the prophecy of Armageddon—a cataclysmic battle among the realms' warriors—Blaze was tasked with monitoring the kombatants' growing power and ultimately serving as a vessel to grant god-like abilities to a single victor capable of ending the conflict.[129] His design as a towering, armored guardian forged from elemental fire emphasizes his role as an impartial enforcer, with abilities including flame projectiles like fireballs and charged blasts, teleportation for evasion, and melee attacks enhanced by scorching auras that deliver burning damage over time.Blaze becomes a central antagonist in the series' lore during Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance (2002), where he guards a dragon egg in Outworld, and fully manifests as the final boss in *Mortal Kombat: Armageddon* (2006, where players can control him in versus modes following his defeat in the story.[128] In this game, his moveset expands to include grappling throws that ignite opponents and a super-powered transformation that amplifies his fire-based combos, making him one of the most formidable characters in the franchise. He receives subtle references in Mortal Kombat 11 (2019) and its Aftermath expansion (2020), appearing as spectral visions in the Krypt mode and alluded to in dialogues tying back to Armageddon's events, though he is not playable.[129]Blaze the Cat is an anthropomorphic feline character in Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog series, debuting in Sonic Rush (2005) for the Nintendo DS as a co-protagonist alongside Sonic.[130] Hailing from the parallel Sol Dimension, she serves as the princess and guardian of the seven Sol Emeralds, mystical gems that power her world's technology and grant her pyrokinetic abilities, allowing her to generate and manipulate flames for attacks like fire claws, homing dashes wreathed in fire, and explosive bursts during high-speed gameplay.[130] Her narrative arc often explores themes of duty and isolation, as she crosses dimensions to recover her emeralds from threats like Dr. Eggman Nega, forming alliances with Sonic while maintaining a reserved, elegant demeanor.[130]Since her introduction, Blaze has appeared in numerous titles, including Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), where she aids in sealing the destructive entity Iblis; various Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing games; Olympic-themed crossovers like Sonic at the OlympicWinter Games (2009); and Sonic Forces (2017), where she joins the resistance against Eggman's empire.[130] In gameplay, she is typically playable with mechanics mirroring Sonic's agility but augmented by fire elements, such as igniting paths or creating flame shields, emphasizing her as a swift, combo-oriented fighter.[130] Voiced in English by Erica Lindbeck since 2019, following previous portrayals by Erica Schroeder and Laura Bailey, her character has evolved into a fan-favorite for her poised personality and dynamic combat style.[130]
Animation and television
Blaze serves as the central protagonist in the Nickelodeon animated series Blaze and the Monster Machines, which premiered on October 13, 2014, and targets preschool audiences with educational content.[21] The show centers on Blaze, an anthropomorphic orange monster truck equipped with distinctive racing stripes, who teams up with his best friend, the 8-year-old human driver AJ, to navigate challenges in the fictional Axle City.[131] Voiced by Nolan North, Blaze embodies traits of bravery, loyalty, and ingenuity, often employing "Blazing Speed" to accelerate during races and problem-solving scenarios.[132] His design features a robust frame with blue eyes, setting him apart from other vehicles in the series, and he frequently interacts with a crew of fellow monster trucks like Stripes, Zeg, and Watts.A key aspect of Blaze's character is his ability to transform into specialized vehicles, such as submarines, rockets, or drilling machines, to overcome obstacles and complete missions. These transformations, combined with AJ's use of STEM gadgets, drive the narrative and integrate lessons on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) into each episode's adventure.[133] For instance, episodes explore concepts like physics, renewable energy, and problem-solving through racing competitions and rescue operations, emphasizing conceptual understanding over rote memorization.[134] This educational framework has positioned the series as a tool for early childhood learning, with Blaze modeling perseverance and teamwork in high-stakes scenarios.Blaze has appeared in various specials that expand on the core series' themes, including the 2015 prime-time event "Race to the Top of the World," where he and his friends undertake a global race encountering pirates, the Sphinx, and diverse terrains while applying geographical and physical principles.[135] In this special, Blaze's transformation abilities and STEM-focused strategies are highlighted as he competes in the ultimate challenge to reach the world's highest point.[133] The production maintains the series' vibrant animation style, produced by WildBrain and DHX Media, ensuring continuity in Blaze's heroic persona across extended formats.[136] The series concluded after its ninth season, with the finale "Christmas Power!: A Monster Machine Super Special" airing on December 1, 2025.[23]
Miscellaneous uses
Common meanings
In common usage, "blaze" denotes a bright flame or fire, referring to an intense and often sudden burst of burning, such as a rapidly spreading wildfire.[1] The term originates from Old Englishblæse, meaning a torch, firebrand, or bright glowing flame, derived from Proto-Germanic *blas- "shining, white."[3] It appears in idiomatic expressions like "go up in blazes," describing complete destruction by fire.In animal husbandry and zoology, a blaze describes a prominent white marking on the face of certain animals, typically a broad vertical stripe running from the forehead down to the nose or muzzle.[137] This feature is common in horses, where it aids in individual identification, and in cattle breeds, where it influences selection for uniformity or distinctiveness in breeding programs.[138] As a heritable trait governed by specific genes, such as those controlling white spotting patterns, blazes are considered in livestockgenetics to avoid or promote certain phenotypes.[139]
Technology and science
Trail blazing refers to the practice of marking paths through wilderness areas to aid navigation, originating in the late 18th century among American frontier explorers and settlers who used axes to notch or slash tree bark, creating visible "blazes" that exposed the lighter inner wood.[140] This technique allowed scouts and travelers to follow routes in dense forests without advanced mapping tools, facilitating expansion westward during the early American republic.[141] By the 19th century, it became integral to major migrations, such as along the Oregon Trail, where such markings guided wagon trains across uncharted territories.[142]In modern hiking and trail maintenance, trail blazing has evolved to use painted symbols rather than axe cuts to minimize environmental impact, with rectangular blazes typically applied at regular intervals—every 800 to 1,000 feet on obvious sections—to ensure clear wayfinding.[143] Reflective paints or materials are often employed for visibility in low-light conditions, and colors are standardized by trail organizations; for instance, the Appalachian Trail uses white for the main path and blue for side trails or shelters, while other systems like those managed by the U.S. Forest Service employ red, yellow, blue, or orange to denote shared-use routes.[144][145] These conventions promote safety and consistency across extensive networks, such as the over 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail.[146]Blazegraph is an open-source, high-performance graph database designed for handling large-scale RDF data, initially released in 2006 as Bigdata and rebranded in 2015, supporting the Semantic Web standards including SPARQL queries for efficient data retrieval and inference. Development has been inactive since 2020, though it continues to be used in production environments such as the Wikidata Query Service (as of 2025).[147][148] Developed by SYSTAP, LLC, it features a scalable architecture that enables storage and querying of up to 50 billion edges on a single machine, making it suitable for distributed computing in linked data environments through its scale-out storage fabric.[147][149] Key capabilities include native RDF triple storage, RDFS and OWL reasoning, and integration with APIs like Blueprints for graph analytics, allowing seamless processing of semantic datasets without external dependencies.[148][150]Blazegraph has been applied in various linked data projects, powering SPARQL endpoints for initiatives like the Wikidata query service managed by the Wikimedia Foundation and educational datasets such as the Nobel Prize linked data repository, demonstrating its utility in real-world semantic web applications.[151][152] Its emphasis on query optimization and parallel processing has contributed to its adoption in high-impact knowledge graph systems, where it handles complex inferences over interconnected RDF triples efficiently.[148]