According to many researchers, Turkish mythology has evolved from a monotheistic basis to a polytheistic one, just like in Tengrism. In addition, Zoroastrianism, Mani religion and Buddhism, which historical Turkish peoples came into contact with, also bear traces of the mythology of the Turks. Here are 9 animals that have an important place in the mythologies of Turkish peoples and are identified with different things:

The eagle, which is one of the national symbols of the Turks, is very common in shamanistic practices. The animal, believed to carry the highest spirits of the rubies, was envisioned at the top of the World Tree as the epitome of the Sky God or to express the shamanic spirit.

From time to time, the animal was on the shaman's dress, representing an ancestor or one of the helping spirits. It was an important derivation symbol. Especially in the Gokturk and Uyghur periods, the eagle and other birds of prey were the symbol of rulers or lords, the symbol of protective spirit and justice. It signified the sun and also power and might.

The symbolic meanings of the eagle regarding sovereignty, power and strength continued after Islam, and were even used as a coat of arms from time to time. The raptor or birds in question, expressing these meanings, have been widely used both in small arts and as reliefs on architectural works.

8. Eagle-Headed Griffon. Griffons express concepts such as the sky, the dawn, knowledge, wisdom, and strength. Eagle-headed griffins are common in Turkish art. BC II. It is stated that the birds of prey are the symbol of the Sky God on the shoulder bones of the sheep belonging to the Shang period in the millennium BC.

While the wolf was a totem in proto-Turkish communities, it seems to have become a part of the ancestor cult during the Hun period. In various parts of the Turkish world, god-wolf depictions can be found on rocks or tombstones, or in shaman clothing or materials.

The concept of animal-ancestor, which developed over time in relation to the wolf, became a state, monarchy, etc. It has also become the symbol of the elements, and has gained various meanings related to the elements of the sky and the earth. The fact that the white wolf gained value as a tribute or tax during the Turkish-Chinese struggles indicates its importance among the Turks. The wolf also appears as a guiding element in the Oguz Kagan Epic.

It is understood that the wolf is the symbol of light and related elements depending on the eye element in Turkish cosmology. The wolf element also has to do with the transfiguration theme; For example, the emergence of the sky wolf with a light in the Oguz Kagan Epic indicates this.

Garuda, which has an important place in Indian mythology, also took place in Turkish mythology. Garuda; It has an eagle's beak, talons, and head. Its body, arms and legs are in human form. His mother is Vinata and his father is Kasyapa. It hatched in a nest on the branches of the Tree of Life. There are many legends about Garuda. In these legends, Garuda either contends with the nagas, the sacred serpents, or fights against the gods by opposing them. Unsuccessful in a battle with the gods, he becomes the mount of the god Vishnu.

5. Bear.Although it has an important place in Turkish mythology, it has never been as important as an eagle, horse or wolf. In the researches, it is understood that the forest cult seen in the Turks and the communities around them forms the basis of the bear cult and symbolism in some Turkish communities. The bear is the symbol of the forest god or forest spirit.

Some Turkish communities, such as the Bashkirs, believed that they were descended from the bear they regarded as their ancestor. The Yakuts, on the other hand, swore on the bear skull. Bear clothes were popular among shamans. During the shaman's journey to the sky, the bear was sometimes used as a helping spirit.

Although the dragon is considered to belong to Chinese mythology and art all over the world, it has a great place in Turkish mythology and art. This fairy tale animal has found a wide application area depending on the elements of sky and earth-water.

Earth dragon and sky dragon are mentioned in Turkish cosmology. The ground dragon, which was underground or in deep water, would come out from under the ground at the spring turn, form scales and horns, rise to the sky and mix with the clouds. Thus, by making it rain, it contributed to the creation of abundance and prosperity.

This mythical creature, which was accepted as a symbol of prosperity, power and strength in the Turks, especially in the early periods, weakened when it came to contact with the cultures of Asia Minor and became the symbol of the defeated evil.

Although lion figures in Turkish art are mostly seen together with Buddhism, the presence of lion-gryphon depictions on artifacts found in Pazirik kurgans in the Altai indicates that this animal has been recognized in the Turks since earlier times.

In animal fight scenes, the lion is in the victorious position in accordance with the sky element and corresponds to the positive side of the concept pairs such as good-bad, light-dark. Therefore, as it is true for many animals, the lion is also war,