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 with its strategically important geographical location connecting Europe and Asia has been home to various ancient civilizations throughout history. This rich past has resulted in a fascinating mythology full of intriguing gods and mythical creatures. In this article, we will uncover the major deities and beings from Turkish mythology and shed light on the pantheon of ancient Turkish gods.
The Pre-Islamic Turkish Pantheon
The nomadic Turkic peoples who migrated across Central Asia and settled in Anatolia brought with them the ancient Tengrist belief system. This shamanic religion revolved around the sky god Tengri and incorporated elements of animism.
After interacting with settled civilizations like the Persians and Mesopotamians, the Turkic pantheon grew to include other important deities. By the 6th century CE, the Göktürks possessed a complex cosmology that continued to evolve until the Turkic peoples adopted Islam.
Below are some of the main gods and goddesses of the pre-Islamic Turkish pantheon:
Major Gods
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Tengri – The supreme sky god and creator deity in Turkic mythology His name literally means “sky” or “heaven” in Old Turkic As the omnipotent Father Sky, Tengri controlled the celestial sphere and weather. He was the central figure in the ancient Turkic religion of Tengrism.
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Kayra – The primordial creator god who gave birth to the universe. Regarded as a supreme deity in Turkic mythology, Kayra was seen as both father and mother, embodying a neutral, monistic force. Kayra rarely appeared in anthropomorphic form.
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Erlik – God of death and the underworld. He dwelled in a subterranean realm along with the spirits of the dead.
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Ulgen – Benevolent god of the sun, stars, and shamans. As a creator deity, he was contrasted with Erlik, the lord of the underworld.
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Umay – Goddess of fertility and protector of women and children. She brought prosperity and watched over mothers and infants.
Other Notable Deities
- Yel Ana and Yel Ata – Twin deities representing the winds and air
- Ak Ana – Goddess of creation and water
- Ay Ata – God of the moon
- Koyash – God of the sun
- Etügen – Chthonic earth goddess who protected crops and livestock
- Kuara – God of thunder and lightning associated with storms
- Izıh – Patron god of hunters and animals
The ancient Turks also venerated ancestral spirits, local mountain gods called Yer-Sub, and various animistic forces within nature. Shamanic practices, divination, and ancestor worship were integral parts of their religious life.
Creatures from Turkish Mythology
A vibrant menagerie of fantastical creatures populate the mythic landscape of the Turkic world. They include benevolent spirits, monstrous beasts, shapeshifters, and demons. Here are some of the major mythical beings:
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Simurgh – A gigantic, bird-like creature with oracular knowledge and the ability to shapeshift. This beneficent, magical being also appears in Iranian mythology.
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Grey Wolf – The Turks’ sacred ancestral totem animal. It became a potent symbol of Turkic national identity.
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Erbüke – A huge, boa-like monster with healing powers and the ability to shapeshift. It was said to be king of the serpents.
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Şüräle – Malevolent forest spirits who tickled people to death with their long fingernails. They induced nightmares.
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Uylak – Witches with shapeshifting powers who could possess people’s bodies. Their gaze could paralyze victims.
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Yelbeghen – Monstrous witch with twelve heads who hunted the sun god Koyash. Her name means “wind fool.”
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Tepegöz – A savage cyclops giant with one eye who spread terror. He appears in the legendary story of Bamsi Beyrek.
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Zilant – Dragon-like creature with wings and a serpentine body. It has become a symbol of Kazan in Russia.
So the realm of Turkish mythology contains a dynamic pantheon of gods, goddesses, spirits and demons. These beliefs developed amongst the Turkic peoples as they migrated across the Eurasian steppes and interacted with settled civilizations. Although eclipsed by Islam, the rich lore of figures like Tengri and Simurgh still continue to fascinate.
Chalchiuhtotolin: The Aztec Night Turkey God
Far from the Central Asian steppes, turkeys became an important part of Aztec religious life and mythology in Mexico. The Aztecs incorporated the local reverence for the turkey and associated it with one of their major deities, Tezcatlipoca.
Tezcatlipoca was the god of night, magic, and destiny. He had several animal avatars or “nahual,” one of which was the turkey. In his turkey aspect, Tezcatlipoca was known as Chalchiuhtotolin, meaning “Jade Turkey” or “Jeweled Turkey.”
Chalchiuhtotolin represented Tezcatlipoca’s links to pestilence and disease. As a trickster, he inflicted boils, rashers and plague on people as divine punishment. This turkey nahual also connected Tezcatlipoca to oblivion, annihilation and the ephemeral nature of existence.
The Codex Telleriano-Remensis shows Chalchiuhtotolin as a turkey adorned with jade mosaic decorations. In the iconic image, he brandishes five arrows representing his power to inflict plagues and famines on human populations. His beautiful but deadly appearance evokes Tezcatlipoca’s dual nature as both creator and destroyer.
So while the turkey was a benign creature linked to sustenance in Aztec society, in the form of Chalchiuhtotolin it transformed into a fearsome agent of divine retribution. The Aztecs incorporated the turkey into their mythic beliefs and rituals, showing how mythology can be molded by cultural context.
The gods and mythological beings of ancient Turkish and Aztec cultures reveal how these societies related to the realm of the supernatural. Deities governing the sky, underworld and natural phenomena displayed cultural values like patriarchy, ancestor veneration, and the importance of fertility.
Dread creatures such as the Luring Forest Spirits and Plague Turkey embodied collective fears and anxieties. Mythology ultimately develops as an expression of a people’s worldview and cosmology.
So next Thanksgiving when you sit down to eat turkey, remember that it was once connected to great powers and beliefs! The turkey’s long journey across continents and cultures is an epic tale interwoven with the human religious imagination.
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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FAQ
What god is associated with turkeys?
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, …
Does Turkey have a mythology?
Turko-Mongol mythology is essentially polytheistic but became more monotheistic during the imperial period among the ruling class, and was centered around the worship of Tengri, the omnipresent Sky God. Deities are personified creative and ruling powers.
Who is Tengri’s god?
Tengri is the god responsible for creating the earth and the entire universe.
How many Turkish gods are there?
Sky God – Tengri. The ancient Türks believed that 17 Deities – Tengri, Yer-Sub, Umai, Erlik, Earth, Water, Fire, Sun, Moon, Star, Air, Clouds, Wind, Storm, Thunder and Lightning, Rain and Rainbow, ruled our Universe. Mongols believed that 99 Deities-Tengris, ruled our Universe.
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 are the three gods of the Turks?
Erlik or Erlik Khan – God of the dead and of the underworld. Ulgan (or Ulgen) – God of benevolence, planets, stars, and shamans. Son of Kaira. He is a Turkic creator-deity. Mergen – God of wisdom. Son of Kaira. He is a Turkic deity of abundance and knowledge. Kyzaghan – War god of the European Huns. The first Turks did not have a war god.
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.
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.