Symbolism and iconography of the upper regions of the Being in Turkic culture

Abstract

In the paper the upper regions of the Being of Turkish culture reviewed both on the basis of artistic image and dijit codification. The first part of the paper dedicated to iconography of the sacred birds of Tukish world, and the second part to the holy figure 9. All the birds were heraldic symbols, emblems of states or dynasties or are bieng existed. They are “birds of peak”, and seat with triumph on the top of the World mountain or World tree. Attributes of some of them, such as Turul and Simurg are devine firesword. On the iconography of the most birds has at least one element, fanshaped tail that allows to identify a part of the image with peacock. In Turkish tradition 9 is the figure of Tengri. In Mongolian shamanism residues of godliness preserve this tradition in the formof 9 or 99 Tengris. Sacred figure of 9 was reflected as well as in Turkish heraldic. For instance, in the Ottoman Empire, the nine-lined white “tuq-buncuq” is a symbol of high rank of Turkish sultan. The symbol of sacred bird and also figure 9 related to
the marks as peak, altar, flame, and the Sun.