What is the Sky God Traditional Turkish Religion?
The Turkish traditional belief is based on the belief in the sky god, which has been handed down for thousands of years and still exists today. This belief is a basic religious understanding that Turkish communities believe in a god who created the heavens and the earth. Turkish culture has kept this religion alive for generations through its own customs and traditions without the need for written sources. Today it is still possible to observe these cultural activities and customs.
This content, which we have prepared based on all of them, contains detailed information about the basic elements of the Gök Tengri faith, its meanings and worship. When you’re ready, let’s take a closer look at the traditional religion of the Turks, Gök Tengri.
What is Gamble Tengri?
Gök Tengri is the only god believed in Turkic tribes, who exists in the sky and creates the universe. Although it is also called by different names by different tribes like Tengeri, Tangara, Tanara, Teri, Tenir, Kuday, Çalap, the common belief is that it is in the sky and alone. The god of the Turks is seen as the creator of the entire universe, not just theirs. The Sky God does not interfere with people’s daily lives and does not resemble people. He is not helpless, he watches people from the sky. Therefore, it cannot be compared to human forms and cannot be used in depictions of communication with them.
Characteristics of Gök Tengri’s faith
The basic elements of the Turkish faith include a deep respect and holiness with regard to nature and the universe. Natural elements such as earth-water (natural forces), homeland, mountains, forests, lakes and rivers are considered sacred. These elements are Gök Tengri’s gift to people and at the same time his confidence. Fire also has a sacred place in Turkish belief. It is believed that the purifying effect of fire and smoke protects against evil. Likewise, the cult of ancestors is an important element of Turkish belief. In societies based on a patriarchal family structure, it is believed that the leader has a sacred identity and that the leader gets his power and authority from God. Ancestral heritage must be preserved and respected.
Earth-water
For Turks, groundwater, natural forces, homeland, mountains, forests, lakes and rivers are sacred. Since it is considered sacred, it has been taken under protection and carefully preserved. Landforms and waters are Gök Tengri’s gift and trust to people. Besides being able to benefit from them, it is also a duty to protect them and take good care of them.
Fire is also sacred in the ancient Turks. but this situation differs from Zergüzeşt. They do not worship fire, they consider it sacred. They believed in the purifying effect of fire and believed that the smoke protected them from evil. Since the fire was sacred, they did not put it out with water and waited for it to go out on its own.
Cult of ancestors
There is a belief that the person who is the leader in the society, seen in Turkish societies based on the patriarchal family structure, has a sacred identity. A leader gets his power and authority from God. Culture is the legacy of its ancestors and it is necessary to protect this heritage. The tombs, tombs, tombs, tombs of saints and saints of elders and important persons are visited. At the same time, the graves of his parents, grandparents and previous ancestors were also sacred and considered worth visiting. It must be visited on special occasions. Today, visits to cemeteries on holidays and eve are examples of this.
Creation of the universe
The creation of the universe was realized by Gök Tengi. But Gök Tengri has given such an order that earth-water and people live in harmony. In other words, God no longer interferes with this order. He created the universe, but left it alone. This order was tried to be maintained with the sacred symbols, which showed that the order was perfect, that it works by itself, that is, it does not need a god. But the creator is god. This belief is stable.
End of the universe
Turks don’t have much information about the end of the world. Looking at the inscriptions and ruins, there is no clear information or predictions about the apocalypse. The concept of the apocalypse, which did not exist before the monotheistic religions, found its place in the later periods of interaction. With this merger, the concept of the apocalypse has become increasingly important in Turks. Altays used the terms “Kalgançı Çak” for Judgment Day and “Uluğ Kün” in other Turkic tribes.
Worships of the Gök Tengri Faith
Seasonal transitions are of great importance in the worship of Turks. Religious holidays held during these periods allow the community to come together and worship with a common spirit. Worships are usually held outdoors and are meant to be intertwined with the beauty of nature.
The tradition of tying rags to trees, which are considered sacred, occupies an important place in the worship of the Turks. This ritual is performed to fulfill wishes or to give thanks. People express their wishes by hanging rags on trees or touching trees. This action reinforces the belief in the sanctity of nature and the existence of Gök Tengri.
The tradition of sacrifice is an important part of the worship of the Turks. Sacrifice meat is distributed in the community and reinforces the feeling of sharing, unity and togetherness. The tradition of alms-giving, known as bloodless sacrifices, is also common. People perform their worship by sharing their material or spiritual merits with those in need. It is an important expression of generosity, benevolence and social justice.
Praying in individual meetings is an important practice. Individuals sincerely pray to Gök Tengri and express their wishes, gratitude or needs. Prayers try to convey their wishes by going to trees or holy places decorated with rags to have their prayers answered.
What is Gamble Tengri?
Gök Tengri is the only god accepted in Turkish belief as the creator of the universe.
According to Turkish belief, what names are used to address Gök Tengri?
Gök Tengri is called by different names such as Tengeri, Tangara, Tanara, Teri, Tenir, Kuday, Çalap.
Why are the elements of nature considered sacred in the Turkish faith?
Nature elements are considered gifts from Gök Tengri and are important for keeping the universe in balance.
What is the cult of ancestors in Gök Tengri belief?
The cult of ancestors is a belief system in Turkish societies about the belief that the leader has a sacred identity and the protection and respect of the ancestors’ heritage.
How are the prayers of the Turks performed?
Turks usually do their worship in groups. Religious festivals are held at the transition of the seasons and tying rags to trees, sacrificial traditions and prayers are part of these worship services.