The Turks had a massive impact on much of Europe. Because of their nomadic tribal lifestyle, the ancient Turks came into contact with a great many different cultures and beliefs.
Because they’re not originally from Europe, Turkish gods and mythological creatures are very distinct from the myths around them. Still, they’ve influenced and been influenced by the cultures around them.
We’ve put together all the most well-documented and fascinating ancient Turkic mythology, gods, and legends. Read on to learn more about this unique culture and the beliefs that helped shape it.
While modern Turkey’s neighbours, Greece, had complicated god-myths filled with drama and small details, Turkish gods are relatively simple and straightforward. As they were nomadic, the Turks also seldom built statues and temples to their gods, so many deities and stories have been lost to time and conquests.
The nomadic Turkish tribes adapted and changed myths according to their own beliefs and social structures, so it’s uncommon to find a single fixed god-myth. With that in mind, let’s delve into the ancient Turkish people’s most important gods!
Tengri, the great sky god, is the most important Turkish deity. While most of the Turkish peoples’ history is polytheistic, there have been whole centuries where Tengriism has stood as a monotheistic religion.
Tengri, Kök Tengri, or Gok Tengri, is the first primordial deity, and the creator god. We don’t know what he looks like, only that he is all-powerful and fair. In later ideas of the god, no doubt influenced by more modern ideologies, he is also considered the force of good, to Erlik’s evil.
The name is also synonymous with the sky, and can be used to refer to any gods nowadays.
Erlik, also called Yerlik and Erlik Han, is the god of evil and the underworld in the Turkic pantheon. He presides over death, and has been punished by Tengri or Ulgen (depending on where you are) for interfering with the creation of mankind.
Much like the Christian devil, Erlik convinced the first humans to eat the forbidden fruit, and was sent to reside over hell for it. He has nine daughters and nine sons, and sits on a silver throne.
Legends differ a lot with Kayra Han, but the god, neither male nor female, is undoubtedly one of the most important deities in Tengriism. In some myths, Kayra is the father of Tengri while in others he is his son.
Kayra Han resides on the 17th floor of the sky – the topmost story, or branch when it’s depicted as a tree. He is the ruler over the air, water and land, and flies over the earth as a pure white goose, observing his creation.
Ulgen is a deity often conflated with both Kayra Han and Gok Tengri. He is the protector of humanity, and can be seen as a kind of archangel figure. Ulgen gifted fire to humans, and protects us from his evil brother Erlik.
Ulgen lives in a golden palace and is depicted as strong and long-haired, with a white sun on either side of him. He can also throw lightning and presides over the weather. He is the patron god of shamans, and provides them with their knowledge. He symbolizes goodness and abundance.
The son of Ulgen (or Kayra), Mergen is the god of wisdom, reason and abundance. He is quick-witted and wise, as well as an excellent archer. Because of his wisdom, he is considered to be the god that banished evil from the world (although the question then stands, how did the evil get back in?)
The god of war, Kizagan was an important deity amongst the warlike Turkish tribes. He rides a red horse or camel, and is depicted as a strong young man in armour.
The only goddess on this list is the good-hearted Umay. She is the Turkish goddess of fertility and virginity, protecting women, children and mothers.
Umay is also the favourite wife of Gok Tengri, and together with him provides the life force and victories of the Turkish people. She is symbolised by the colour yellow, and is often associated with the sun, radiating divine power.
There are legends from all over Turkey which explain how things are created and begun, or epitomise human values and traits. These are just three of the most widespread and celebrated legends in Turkey.
Turkey has a rich cultural heritage that goes back thousands of years. Before the advent of Islam, the ancient Turks worshipped a pantheon of gods that reflected their nomadic lifestyle and reverence for the natural world. Though mostly dormant today, these deities continue to inspire art, literature and national pride. So who were the major gods of ancient Turkey?
Tengri – The Supreme Sky God
The most important deity for the early Turks was Tengri, the god of the endless blue sky. As the Turks were wandering herders inhabiting the vast Central Asian steppes, the celestial expanse of the sky loomed large in their mythology. Tengri was seen as the supreme power presiding over the universe, the infinite and eternal azure firmament.
Sometimes represented as a falcon or eagle, Tengri controlled meteorological phenomena like rain and storms. He dispensed blessings of prosperity and victory. Tengri’s presence was central in royal rituals, oaths and shamanic journeys. Echoes of his worship remain in modern idioms like “Tanrı bilir” (God knows).
Kavra – The Primordial Creator
While Tengri embodied the sky itself, the principal creator god of the Turks was the androgynous deity Kavra, also called Kayra or Kaira. Preceding all things, Kavra crafted the cosmos and established its natural laws.
Some myths present Kavra as the parent of other Turkish gods including Tengri, Umai and Erlik. But Kavra was generally an abstract concept, the unseen divine spirit suffusing the fabric of existence. As the cosmic progenitor, Kavra was revered but received little direct worship.
Ulgen – God of Benevolence and Abundance
Another key figure in the Turkic pantheon was Ulgen, the god of benevolence. As the son of Kavra in some accounts, Ulgen governed the material world, bestowing earthly blessings like fertility, success and good fortune. His gifts sustained the human realm.
Represented as an old man with a white beard dressed in white robes, Ulgen was associated with honesty, virtue and human prosperity. His protection was often invoked in prayers, rituals and charms. The raven served as his messenger.
Umai – The Mother Goddess
Umai, also called Umay, was the central mother goddess of the ancient Turks. As Kavra’s daughter in some myths, she personified women’s life-giving power and protected pregnancy, childbirth and motherhood.
Umai safeguarded mothers and infants, oversaw fertility, and ripened crops in the fields. Her symbols included fruit and breasts laden with milk. Unsurprisingly, she was one of the most universally beloved deities, especially revered by women.
Erlik – Lord of the Underworld
In contrast to the benevolent gods of sky and earth, Erlik was the deity presiding over the underworld and death. According to legend, Erlik was once part of the celestial pantheon but was condemned to rule the subterranean realm after challenging Tengri and losing
As master of the abode of the dead, Erlik received the souls of the deceased. His domain was gloomy and joyless, but he was not intrinsically evil. Rather, Erlik passed judgement on souls and dispensed punishments or rest accordingly. His realm imposed order on the afterlife.
Other Notable Deities
Various other gods and spirits inhabited the rich mythic landscape of the ancient Turks. These included Ay Ata god of the moon and Koyash, goddess of the sun. Yel Ana and Yel Ata governed the winds. Alaz oversaw rivers while Archura protected forests. Deities representing concepts like fire, night, and music also existed.
Echoes in Modern Culture
With the spread of Islam, the ancient Turkic deities faded from organized worship. However, their presence endures in idioms, folklore, superstitions and rural rituals. The old gods are also invoked as touchstones of national identity and pride in Turkish cultural heritage. Figures like Tengri and Umai represent the deep roots of Turkic civilization. Though mostly dormant, Turkey’s ancestral gods still inspire art, imagination and a sense of mystical identity today.
Turkish mythological creatures and monsters
Turkish monsters and creatures are varied and dark, often interacting with humans and causing tragedy and loss. You’ll also see some interesting similarities to mythical figures from Portugal’s past.
Bichura is a house spirit, traditionally believed to live in every house, and shapeshift between the form of a cat or dog and a human. When in human form, it wears red dresses. But you’re not likely to see it! Bichuras warn their household’s members of danger by pulling on hair or making a noise – but if you spot it, this forewarns of death.
If the creature grows discontent, it plays tricks on its household, and you have to figure out what’s gone wrong and fix it for things to return to normal.
The legend of Sarıkız
One of the most famous legends surrounding Turkey’s Mount Ida is the legend of the pure-hearted Sarıkız. This legend is celebrated every year with a pilgr to the peak of Sarıkız Hill and celebrations in the surrounding foothills.
As the legend goes, Sarıkız was a beautiful blonde-haired maiden who lived with her father, Cılbak Baba. She was so beautiful that men would fall instantly in love with her and beg her hand in marriage. But she wasn’t interested in being married, so she turned them all down.
One day, her father left on a long pilgr and entrusted her to his neighbour. While he was away, many more suitors came for his daughter, and all were rejected. The men became resentful, and started rumours about Sarıkız’s chastity.
When her father returned, he was told that his daughter had become a prostitute, and that he must kill her or be excommunicated from the village. With a heavy heart, he took her up to the mountains with a small flock of geese, and left her there.
Guilt ate away at him for years for having left his daughter to die. But one day, Cılbak Baba heard rumours of a blonde-haired woman helping travellers navigate the treacherous mountains. He went out in search of her, and eventually found his daughter in the mountains. Sarıkız was happy to see her father despite what he’d done to her.
She gave him water to wash with, but he told her it was salty, and realised that she had miraculously reached over to the ocean and filled it up there. She quickly apologised and rotated the bowl of water to the mountains, and it became clear and sweet. Cılbak Baba understood suddenly that his daughter had become a saint. But on realising this, a dark cloud appeared and she died, her secret discovered. Devastated and dazed, he roamed the mountains before dying on the neighbouring hill.
It’s a sad story, but one the locals are drawn to. Both hills are named after the pair that died on them, and form an important part of local custom and culture.
The legend of Ergenekon is told a number of ways in different parts of Turkey. This is perhaps the most popular version of the founding myth.
Long ago, the Gokturks were defeated in battle and had to flee their lands. They fled into the mountains, and sought refuge in the fruitful and beautiful Ergenekon valley, surrounded by mountains. There they flourished, growing in numbers and strength. Eventually, they found they were trapped within the mountains, and remained there for four centuries.
After this time, the valley had grown overpopulated and they knew they had to leave. A Gokturk blacksmith freed them by melting the iron in the rocks – according to some stories, setting fire to 70 separate spots. This opened a gate in the mountains so that they could leave, but after so many generations, they could no longer remember their way through the mountain passes.
A grey wolf appeared to the men and led them out of the mountains, symbolising the support of the gods. The Gokturks went on to win many battles, and regain their importance as a local power. They split up into many tribes, but always remembered their communal origins.
The story of Leyla and Mecnun is a tragic, ancient and widespread one. According to the legend, Leyla and Qays were school friends who fell in love with each other. Leyla’s parents did not approve of the match, and forbade their daughter from marrying Quays despite seeing their true love.
The young man withdrew into the wilderness, wretched with loss. He would recite poetry of his love for Leyla to the animals and plants, and walk through the deserts. Eventually, he was given the name Mecnun, which means ‘possessed with madness’. His parents, concerned for him but resigned to their son’s decision, would leave food for him at the edge of the wilderness. There he roamed for years, driven mad by love.
Eventually, Leyla was married to another man. But she could not love him, and the marriage only served to deepen her sadness at the loss of her love. Soon she died of a broken heart.
When news of her death reached Mecnun, he travelled to where she was buried, moving determinedly for the first time in years. When he found her he wept, surrendering to his unimaginable grief. He took his life, and died at the graveside of his love.
Ancient Bible Found In Turkey Reveals A Terrifying Secret About Jesus✨
FAQ
What god is associated with turkeys?
Chalchihuihtotolin is a symbol of powerful sorcery. Tezcatlipoca can tempt humans into self-destruction, but when he takes the form of a turkey he can also cleanse them of contamination, absolve them of guilt, and overcome their fate.
Does Turkey have a mythology?
Discover the wonders of Turkish mythology through these 44 fairy tales. Turkish mythology is comprised of myths and traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation by the Turkish people. Soon, you will be immersing yourself into their culture and traditions told in an almost poetic way.
What god did Genghis Khan worship?
Genghis Khan himself only ever worshipped the ‘Eternal Blue Sky‘ who was his God; the Golden Light of the Sun; and the vast array of spirits in the nature …Aug 2, 2021
Who is the Aztec god of plague?
Chalchiuhtotolin, “Precious Night Turkey” was a god of plague who ruled thirteen days of the Aztec calendar from 1 Water to 13 Crocodile (the thirteen preceding days were in fact ruled by Xolotl, hapless god of misfortune, who was instrumental in the creation of humankind).
What is Turkish mythology?
The pantheon of Turkish mythology includes a variety of gods and goddesses, each embodying different aspects of nature and human experience. Key figures include: Tengri: The sky god and the primary deity, representing the eternal blue sky. Tengri is a central figure, embodying the supreme power and the creator of the universe.
What is the pantheon of Turkic mythology?
Overall, the pantheon of Turkic mythology is vast and diverse, with many deities representing different aspects of nature and life. The mythology of the Turkic people is a fascinating journey into ancient legends, and the pantheon of gods and goddesses is a testament to their rich cultural heritage.
Who is the god of war in Turkey?
The god of war, Kizagan was an important deity amongst the warlike Turkish tribes. He rides a red horse or camel, and is depicted as a strong young man in armour. The only goddess on this list is the good-hearted Umay. She is the Turkish goddess of fertility and virginity, protecting women, children and mothers.
Who is the most famous warrior in Turkic mythology?
One of the most famous warrior figures in Turkic mythology is Attila the Hun. Attila is known for his military campaigns and his role in establishing the Hunnic Empire. He is also known for his ferocity in battle and his reputation as a ruthless conqueror. Another important warrior figure in Turkic mythology is Kultegin.
Why did the Turks not have a god?
As they were nomadic, the Turks also seldom built statues and temples to their gods, so many deities and stories have been lost to time and conquests. The nomadic Turkish tribes adapted and changed myths according to their own beliefs and social structures, so it’s uncommon to find a single fixed god-myth.
Who created the world in Turkic mythology?
Another creation myth in Turkic mythology involves the goddess Umay, who is said to have created the world from the tears she shed when her husband died. Umay is a goddess of fertility and motherhood, and she is often associated with the earth and the natural world. According to Turkic mythology, the world was formed from the body of a giant snake.