Major Turkic Myths and Epics
Turkic mythology and epic tradition are not based on a single text. They consist of layered oral narratives, origin myths, creation myths, heroic epics, and state-founding legends preserved among different Turkic peoples.
Pre-Islamic Turkic epics and myths
1-The Creation Myth
A cosmological myth, especially known among the Altai Turks, explaining the creation of the world, the sky, the earth, water, human beings, and cosmic order. Figures such as Ülgen, Erlik, Kayra Han, Ak Ana, and earth-water spirits appear in these narratives.
2-The Epic of Alp Er Tunga
One of the oldest Turkic heroic traditions, often associated with the Saka/Scythian world. Alp Er Tunga appears as a great warrior-ruler figure and is sometimes connected with Afrasiyab in Iranian tradition.
3-The Epic of Shu
A legend associated with an early Turkic/Saka ruler named Shu. It is connected with Alexander the Great’s eastern campaign and deals with migration, withdrawal, reorganization, and survival.
4-The Epic of Oghuz Khagan
One of the central Turkic epics. It tells of Oghuz Khagan’s extraordinary birth, conquests, world-ordering mission, division of tribes, and state-building ideology. It is deeply connected with concepts such as töre, kut, sky belief, military order, and universal sovereignty.
5-The Bozkurt / Grey Wolf Legend
A foundational origin myth in which the Turks survive near-destruction and are regenerated through the figure of the grey wolf. The wolf functions as guide, protector, ancestor, and symbol of rebirth.
6-The Ergenekon Epic
A major rebirth and state-restoration myth. After defeat, the Turks retreat into Ergenekon, multiply there, and eventually melt an iron mountain to return to the world. It carries strong themes of survival, metallurgy, collective rebirth, and renewed sovereignty.
7-The Türeyiş Epic
Associated especially with the Uyghur tradition. It explains sacred origins through motifs such as light, tree, divine descent, and supernatural birth. It is connected with rulership and legitimacy.
8-The Migration / Göç Epic
Also associated with the Uyghur world. It tells of the loss of sacred power, the movement of the people, and the abandonment of the homeland. Themes include sacred land, state fortune, and the loss of kut.
Islamic-period Turkic epics
1-The Book of Dede Korkut
One of the most important Oghuz Turkic epic cycles. It includes stories such as Boğaç Khan, Bamsı Beyrek, Deli Dumrul, and Kan Turalı. It reflects Oghuz social order, family structure, warrior ethics, women’s roles, oath, honor, töre, and frontier life.
2-The Epic of Manas
The great epic of the Kyrgyz Turks and one of the longest epic traditions in the world. It follows Manas, Semetey, and Seytek, dealing with unity, warfare, rulership, enemies, tribal order, and collective identity.
3-The Epic of Battal Gazi
A Turkic-Islamic heroic epic associated with frontier warfare against Byzantium. It reflects the gazi tradition and the heroic Islamic-Turkic warrior type.
4-The Epic of Danishmend Gazi
Connected with the Turkification and Islamization of Anatolia. It tells of Danishmend Gazi’s battles, conquests, miracles, and frontier struggle.
5-The Epic of Köroğlu
A widespread Turkic folk epic found across many Turkic regions. It centers on resistance to oppression, justice, heroism, the horse, the saz, poetry, and warrior honor.
Important figures and symbols in Turkic mythology include:
Gök Tengri
Ülgen
Erlik
Umay Ana
Kayra Han
Ak Ana
the Grey Wolf
sacred tree
sacred mountain
earth-water spirits
iron and blacksmithing
kut
the numbers nine, seven, and forty
horse, bow, sky, sun, moon, and star symbolism