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 and vibrant mythological tradition stretching back thousands of years While Islam is the dominant religion in modern Turkey, many ancient pagan deities continue to be revered in folklore and cultural practices In this article, we will explore the main gods and goddesses of ancient Turkish mythology and their influence on the region.
Tengri – The Sky Father
The chief deity in ancient Turkic religion was Tengri the god of the sky. Sometimes represented as a falcon or eagle Tengri was seen as the infinite, eternal blue sky, the supreme power presiding over all. As the Turks were nomadic herders inhabiting the vast Central Asian steppes, the sky loomed large in their cosmology.
Tengri was worshipped by the early Turkic tribes and medieval kingdoms as the supreme ruler of the universe. He controlled meteorological phenomena and dispensed blessings of prosperity and victory. His presence was central in royal rituals, oaths and shamanic journeys. Echoes of Tengri worship remain in idioms like “Tanrı bilir” (God knows).
Kavra – The Creator God
While Tengri personified the sky itself, the creator god of the Turkic pantheon was Kavra, also called Kaira or Kayra. Kavra had no fixed gender, containing both male and female essence. This androgynous deity existed before all things and fashioned the universe and its natural laws.
Sometimes Kavra is described as the parent of other Turkic gods like Tengri, Ulgen, Umai and Erlik. Other accounts present Kavra as more abstract, an unseen divine spirit permeating all creation. As a primordial creator god, Kavra received reverence but little direct worship.
Ulgen – The God of Benevolence
Another important deity was Ulgen the god of benevolence, believed to be Kavra’s son. Ulgen was seen as ruling the visible material world, bestowing earthly favors like health, wealth and success. He was sometimes blended with Tengri as the manifestation of the sky god’s benevolence towards humanity.
Ulgen was often hailed in prayers, spells and blessings. He was revered as the patron of honest living, moral virtue and human prosperity. Ulgen was depicted as an old man with a long white beard, dressed in white robes. His messenger was the raven.
Umai – The Mother Goddess
Umai, also called Umay, was the goddess associated with fertility, childbirth and women’s life-giving power. One of Kavra’s daughters, she protected mothers and infants, oversaw pregnancies, and helped crops grow. She was symbolized by ripe fruits and breasts full with milk.
As her name suggests, Umai governed all aspects of motherhood. Unsurprisingly, she was one of the most universally popular deities, with women especially honoring her. Birthing rituals, children’s toys and girls’ jewelry often invoked Umai’s blessings. Her presence endures in folk charms for fecundity.
Erlik – Lord of the Underworld
In contrast to the benevolent gods of the sky and earth, Erlik was the deity ruling the underworld and death. According to legend, Erlik was once part of the celestial pantheon but was banished to the underworld after challenging Tengri and losing.
As master of the subterranean realm, Erlik received the souls of the dead. While his domain was gloomy and joyless, he was not specifically evil. Erlik was seen as passing judgment on souls and meting out punishments, but also granting rest to the virtuous. His realm offered order in the afterlife.
Other Notable Deities
Many other Turkic gods populated the rich mythic universe, like Yel Ana and Yel Ata, the goddess and god of winds. Kayra the sun god brought light and abundance. Ay Ata governed the cycles of the moon. Koyash was the deity of summer while Kizagan ruled winter. Forests and rivers had their own spirits like Archura and Alaz. Deities overseeing specific human activities like hunting, war and music also existed.
Echoes in Folklore and National Pride
While organized worship of the old Turkic deities faded under Islam, their presence lingers in idioms, superstitions, rituals and folk tales. For instance, grey wolves are still seen as sacred messengers of Tengri. Umai’s protection shields birthing women. The old gods are also invoked as symbols of Turkic heritage and national pride. Figures like the sky father Tengri and the mother goddess Umai represent Turkic culture’s ancient roots.
The ancient Turkic pantheon, with deities like Tengri, Kavra, Erlik and Umai, forms a rich religious heritage. Though mostly dormant today, these gods endure as artistic symbols and touchstones of identity. Their myths and legends remain part of Turkey’s cultural DNA.
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.
Basty and Al Basty
Not a very pleasant mythical creature, Basty is the spirit of nightmares. It sits on peoples’ chests, giving them bad dreams.
This creature is a little different to Al Basty, a succubus-like figure who personifies guilt. In some communities, she’s also known as the ‘red mother’. A connection spied between mothers and guilt, perhaps?
This unusual creature is a malicious swamp demon. She’s blood-thirsty and violent, and lives near the kinds of bodies of water you’d tell your children not to stray near without a guardian.
Archura is a shapeshifting woodland spirit. He protects the forests and the animals, and usually appears as a peasant man. But he can change his size from that of a blade of grass to a tall tree. His hair and beard are living grass, and he has no shadow.
As wonderful as the Archura sounds, they are seldom friends of man. They’re defensive of their forests, and mischievous beings. So while they’re not evil, they’re not great neighbours either.
A devilish and fascinating Turkish myth is the Karakoncolos. This hairy, malevolent goblin appears at the coldest time of year.
They stand on murky corners, and set riddles or ask random questions of passers-by. These people have to answer any question using the Turkish word for ‘black’, otherwise they are struck dead. No doubt there was some reasoning behind this once, but that’s lost now.
The Karakoncolos would also imitate the voices of loved ones, luring people out into the cold and snow.
The king of snakes, Erbüke is a wise and kindly man with the lower body of a serpent. His (and sometimes her) name is a combination of the words for human and dragon. According to legend, he ruled what was once a kingdom of intelligent and peaceful snakes.
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