TR Cultural Tengrism and Ancient Turkic mythology/symbols

[Mis_TR_Like]

Tengrism is the original religion of the Turks. In Tengrism there is only one god, Tengri. Tengri is the eternal blue sky. However there are also other deities. The values which Turks live by today, are remnants from Tengrism. There are some practices, such as tying colourful ribbons on trees and symbols such as the crescent and star which have survived until this day in modern day Turkey.

There is no book or prophets. Instead of priests or Imams, there are shamans (kam). It should be noted that Shamanism and Tengrism are not the same thing, but shamans are part of Tengrism. There are two types of shamans, white shamans and dark shamans. White shamans communicated with good spirits and deities and were known to be healers. Meanwhile dark/black shamans communicated with evil spirits. This doesn't mean they were evil, as in Tengrism there needs to be a balance between both sides. Before war, black shamans would give strength to troops.

One of the most important things in Tengrism is respecting your ancestors. Ancestors spirits must be respected and one could seek guidance from them. In Tengrism there is 3 souls, two which reincarnate and one which resides in nature. For this reason, trees, mountains and bodies of water must be treated well. Ancient souls may wander off to great natural wonders such as high mountain peaks, which were seen as connecting points between earth and the universe. For Turks the ultimate place for our souls is Khan Tengri, a 7010 meter peak on the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-China border.

Four times a year, the Ancient Turks celebrated the seasons. The solstices and equinoxes each had their own holiday. The one which is most popular today is Nardugan, the winter solstice. Decorating trees was a part of the celebrations, in fact the people in Siberia still practice it the traditional way. A lot of modern day Christmas symbols and practices were ripped straight out out of Tengrism.

There is so much to write about it but I'll cut it short.

 

[Nilgiri]

I'll be watching this thread for updates.

This kind of topic is one I find super fascinating to read about.

@Joe Shearer

 

[Ryder]

How about war??

War seems to played a role among Tengrist Turks that explains the militarism that is so embedded in our culture. Even we when became Muslims the militarism never went away.

A lot of hippies have their heads explode when they realise Tengrism is not pacifistic.

 

[Nilgiri]

How about war??

War seems to played a role among Tengrist Turks that explains the militarism that is so embedded in our culture. Even we when became Muslims the militarism never went away.

A lot of hippies have their heads explode when they realise Tengrism is not pacifistic.

I always wondered about Turkics and Mongols given their environment and the psyche that likely was needed to tough it out and survive.

Tungusics and such had (Siberian) forests to hide in and defend well there....but you can't do that in open steppe, you have nowhere to hide and not much you can grow intensely (To form concentrated civilisation etc)....you have to raise and keep large animal herds....living off them keeps you always cognisant of the thin line between life and death...and how they are bound together.

You are always out in open, vulnerable to nature, wild animals and worst of all: other humans.

Thus you have to simply carry as much within you, all that you need to survive....be ready to move and keep moving forward....and the only eternal constants are the vastness of the landscape, the features that mark it (mountains) and the sky and its features that mark the vastness of time and its cycle.

This probably long term definitely cultivates the ingredients of expansion/warfare when you get to the iron age...or the iron age finally arrives to you....as you can put sword and steel to the mobile warfare you long already knew like the back of your hand.

 

[Mis_TR_Like]

I'll be watching this thread for updates.

This kind of topic is one I find super fascinating to read about.

@Joe Shearer

Thanks, I will add more to it in the coming days.

I personally find minor religions fascinating. I always think to myself that there may be a relatively unknown religion out there which has tucked away long lost answers to some of the universe's biggest mysteries. India has a lot of minor religions as well as some bizarre Hindu-sub groups (don't know the exact term to use). I would love to learn about some of the more obscure religions in India. One of my Hindu friends talks to me about the different deities and frankly, I find it so fascinating. It reminds me of The Elder Scrolls, Morrowind in particular.

 

[Ryder]

I always wondered about Turkics and Mongols given their environment and the psyche that likely was needed to tough it out and survive.

Tungusics and such had (Siberian) forests to hide in and defend well there....but you can't do that in open steppe, you have nowhere to hide and not much you can grow intensely (To form concentrated civilisation etc)....you have to raise and keep large animal herds....living off them keeps you always cognisant of the thin line between life and death...and how they are bound together.

You are always out in open, vulnerable to nature, wild animals and worst of all: other humans.

Thus you have to simply carry as much within you, all that you need to survive....be ready to move and keep moving forward....and the only eternal constants are the vastness of the landscape, the features that mark it (mountains) and the sky and its features that mark the vastness of time and its cycle.

This probably long term definitely cultivates the ingredients of expansion/warfare when you get to the iron age...or the iron age finally arrives to you....as you can put sword and steel to the mobile warfare you long already knew like the back of your hand.

Horses and Camels my friend.

The Bactrian Camel was like a support vehicle that helped with our logistics.

Bactrian Camels were big also much tougher than Arabian ones.

The Turks and Mongols fought to survive. Its either conquer or be conquered not to mention they fought among themselves just to rule everybody.

 

[Saithan]

Omdirigering

Have this book. Bought it long time ago. I remember a passenger on a bus borrowed it to incorporate some questions for an exam. Got it back of course.

 

[Asena_great]

some time i fantasized all the turk converting to Tengrism

 

[Deliorman]

Not really connected to Tengrism but pretty interesting anyway. The Orkhon alphabet was pretty similar to the Viking runes:

I have heard that Tengrism has many similarities with the Germanic Pagan religion which is not so strange considering that Germanic people used to be neighbors of the ancient Turks in the Eurasian steppes.

 

[tta]

Tengrism is the original religion of the Turks. In Tengrism there is only one god, Tengri. Tengri is the eternal blue sky. However there are also other deities. The values which Turks live by today, are remnants from Tengrism. There are some practices, such as tying colourful ribbons on trees and symbols such as the crescent and star which have survived until this day in modern day Turkey.

There is no book or prophets. Instead of priests or Imams, there are shamans (kam). It should be noted that Shamanism and Tengrism are not the same thing, but shamans are part of Tengrism. There are two types of shamans, white shamans and dark shamans. White shamans communicated with good spirits and deities and were known to be healers. Meanwhile dark/black shamans communicated with evil spirits. This doesn't mean they were evil, as in Tengrism there needs to be a balance between both sides. Before war, black shamans would give strength to troops.

One of the most important things in Tengrism is respecting your ancestors. Ancestors spirits must be respected and one could seek guidance from them. In Tengrism there is 3 souls, two which reincarnate and one which resides in nature. For this reason, trees, mountains and bodies of water must be treated well. Ancient souls may wander off to great natural wonders such as high mountain peaks, which were seen as connecting points between earth and the universe. For Turks the ultimate place for our souls is Khan Tengri, a 7010 meter peak on the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan-China border.

Four times a year, the Ancient Turks celebrated the seasons. The solstices and equinoxes each had their own holiday. The one which is most popular today is Nardugan, the winter solstice. Decorating trees was a part of the celebrations, in fact the people in Siberia still practice it the traditional way. A lot of modern day Christmas symbols and practices were ripped straight out out of Tengrism.

There is so much to write about it but I'll cut it short.

Thank you for this enlightening thread. I will try to add some useful stuff if I can but mostly I will follow this and learn. Very excited. Thanks again.

 

[Mis_TR_Like]

 

[Nilgiri]

Can you give short summary in english? I find this very fascinating subject.

 

[Mis_TR_Like]

Can you give short summary in english? I find this very fascinating subject.

This woman is 107 years old and she's one of the most respected historians in Turkey. She is basically explaining how the Huns spread the tradition of decorating pine trees to Europe, as well as other smaller things. She is pretty much saying that some things that we know as being European actually originated in Central Asia.

People in the most isolated regions of Siberia still decorate pine trees for winter solstice to this day.

 

[Ryder]

You know what gets on my nerves is how some people claim they are Tengrists while they dont believe in Turkic mythology.

Turkic mythology forms a core in Tengrist beliefs.

Seriously if people are serious in believing the old ways you gotta believe in everything.

@MisterLike whats your opinion on these fake fools.

 

[Mis_TR_Like]

You know what gets on my nerves is how some people claim they are Tengrists while they dont believe in Turkic mythology.

Turkic mythology forms a core in Tengrist beliefs.

Seriously if people are serious in believing the old ways you gotta believe in everything.

@MisterLike whats your opinion on these fake fools.

Well that's the thing, because there is no book a lot of different beliefs have popped up. Though the basics are the same everywhere, certain things will be different between isolated Tengrist communities.

This is why I'd like the Turkic Council to make an organization which governs ancient Turkic beliefs... it should combine the mythology from the entire Turkic World and fuse it with Tengrism.

The important thing here is creating an identity, a culture, unique to us. The mythological aspects can be used for making new children's stories and movies.

This will further unify the Turkic nations.

 

[Tonyukuk]

 

[Ryder]

Mongolia today follows Buddhism.

Actually what the Mongols leave Tengrism for Buddhism?

Any idea?

 

[Tonyukuk]

Mongolia today follows Buddhism.

Actually what the Mongols leave Tengrism for Buddhism?

Any idea?

I believe the Tibetans spread Buddhism to Mongols.

The thing with Tengrism is that it is a way of life. It is a very pure religion. It does not require you to build temples and it doesn't force anything upon you. It just asks you to follow the basic rules of nature. There are no priests, monks, or imams. There is no preaching, no forced conversion and there certainly weren't any missionaries. Shamans went on psychedelic trips to gather answers for the survival of their tribe or for advice on war campaigns etc.

The lack of an agenda is what led to other religions taking over Tengrism. However I think in the 21st century, Tengrism has a chance at bouncing back. Turks especially, are leaving Islam rapidly. Most are turning to Deism, and Tengrism is gaining popularity among the youth. Though due to limited resources about Tengrism, most are only symbolically following it. Turks in Turkey still retain some Tengrist traditions; really, we just need to expose it to more people, and it could de-Arabize the culture here, while also forming a solid, unique, Turkic identity.

We need Tengrism to rise, as it will form the bedrock of our culture. We have been stuck between Arab and Western culture for decades. If you look at the 1930s, Atatürk began introducing old Turkic culture to the Turkish population. Back then, it was only newly rediscovered. Now we know much more about it. We should make it a top priority. Culture is important, and Tengrism and ancient Turkic mythology & beliefs can help us form a coherent identity which is unique to us.

 

[Ryder]

I believe the Tibetans spread Buddhism to Mongols.

The thing with Tengrism is that it is a way of life. It is a very pure religion. It does not require you to build temples and it doesn't force anything upon you. It just asks you to follow the basic rules of nature. There are no priests, monks, or imams. There is no preaching, no forced conversion and there certainly weren't any missionaries. Shamans went on psychedelic trips to gather answers for the survival of their tribe or for advice on war campaigns etc.

The lack of an agenda is what led to other religions taking over Tengrism. However I think in the 21st century, Tengrism has a chance at bouncing back. Turks especially, are leaving Islam rapidly. Most are turning to Deism, and Tengrism is gaining popularity among the youth. Though due to limited resources about Tengrism, most are only symbolically following it. Turks in Turkey still retain some Tengrist traditions; really, we just need to expose it to more people, and it could de-Arabize the culture here, while also forming a solid, unique, Turkic identity.

We need Tengrism to rise, as it will form the bedrock of our culture. We have been stuck between Arab and Western culture for decades. If you look at the 1930s, Atatürk began introducing old Turkic culture to the Turkish population. Back then, it was only newly rediscovered. Now we know much more about it. We should make it a top priority. Culture is important, and Tengrism and ancient Turkic mythology & beliefs can help us form a coherent identity which is unique to us.

Explains why Islam and Christianity are so widespread.

Not only did they spread their religion with missionary work or trade they used conquests and wars to spread their religion.

A religion where everybody was accepted was perfectly in line for a lot of the low class or the slaves. Hence why so many especially among the low and the slaves accepted Islam and Christianity.

Judaism once preached about spreading their religion but various factors led to it becoming race based thats why Jews no longer preach and have been for centuries not preaching their religion because it became a race based religion.

Islam and Christianity took up the mantle both also competed with each other for converts while also fighting various other religions.

 

[Tonyukuk]

Cihat Yayci's official TÜRK DEGS account shared this. It's nice to see Tengrism gaining traction among high profile people in Turkey.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1473186921438449672