Erlik
Turkic mythology·Mythology·Turkic peoples (Central Asia, Siberia)·God of death
Erlik, also known as Erlik Khan, is the god of death and the underworld in Turkic mythology. He is associated with bringing death, plague, and evil spirits to torment humanity and claim souls for his realm. Erlik is notable for his role as the antagonist to the benevolent deity Ülgen and for his involvement in the creation of humanity and sin.
Key Facts
- ›Erlik is the god of death and the underworld in Turkic mythology, sometimes referred to as Tamag.
- ›He resides in the depths of the earth, specifically in the 9th layer of the underworld.
- ›Erlik is the brother of Ülgen, both created by Kayra Khan.
- ›He is credited with the creation of spirits (İye) and is considered a teacher of sin.
- ›Erlik's nine sons, the Karaoğlanlar, and nine daughters, the Karakızlar, assist him in his malevolent endeavors.
- ›He is sometimes represented by a totemic bear and is described as having a pig-like face with human features.
Erlig, Erlik Khan, Erleg, Yerleg
Death, Underworld, Plague, Evil Spirits, Sin, Sickness, Misfortune
Brings Death, Plague, and Evil Spirits, Torments Humans, Takes Souls Into His Realm, Created Spirits, Teacher of Sin, Can Claim Souls of the Wicked, Causes Sickness and Misfortune
Orkhon Writings
üLgen, Kayra, Maidere/Maydere, KaraoğLanlar, KarakıZlar
Evil, Darkness, Sin, Death, Underworld, Punishment
- Sacrifices Are Made To Erlik To Get Rid of Diseases Or For the Sake of People Entering the Underworld.
- Some People Sacrifice To Erlik To Gain A Higher Rank In His Underworld.
- Shamans Who Venerate Erlik Are Called Black Shamans and Their Practice Is Often Frowned Upon.
- When Sickness Appears, People Become Scared of Erlik and Make Many Animal Sacrifices To Him.
- Heaven Sends A Spirit To Carry Souls To Heaven, Opposing Erlik's Kormos.
- In Mongolian, He Is Referred To As Erleg Or Yerleg.
- In Hungarian Mythology, He Is Equivalent To öRdöG.
Totemic Bear
About Erlik
Erlik, also known by variations such as Erlig and Erlik Khan, is a prominent figure in Turkic mythology, embodying the forces of death and the underworld. He is the antagonist to the benevolent deity Ülgen and is believed to reside in the deepest layers of the earth, often described as the ninth level of the underworld.
Role and Mythology
Erlik's primary role is that of the god of death, the underworld, and evil. He is credited with bringing death, plague, and various evil spirits into the world to torment humanity and claim the souls of the wicked. Legends suggest Erlik was involved in the creation of humanity and is considered a teacher of sin. He desires to be equal to his brother Ülgen, leading to his banishment to the underworld, where he established his own domain. His actions are often driven by a desire to oppose the upper world and the realm of light.
Appearance and Offspring
Descriptions of Erlik's appearance vary, but he is often depicted as a monstrous figure with the face and teeth of a pig combined with a human body. Other accounts describe him as an old man with a well-built physique, dark features, and a formidable presence. Erlik is said to have nine sons, known as the Karaoğlanlar, who rule over various malevolent concepts such as darkness, chaos, and disaster, and nine daughters, the Karakızlar, who are depicted as temptresses.
Religious Practices and Beliefs
In some traditional Siberian and Central Asian religions, such as among the Buryats, Erlik was worshiped, particularly through sacrifices. These offerings were made to ward off diseases, to appease him for the souls of the dead, or even in hopes of gaining a higher status in his underworld. Shamans who venerated Erlik were known as Black Shamans (kara kam) and their practices were often viewed with suspicion due to their dealings with demonic spirits. Beliefs surrounding Erlik sometimes suggest a dualistic cosmology, with him representing evil in opposition to the good represented by Ülgen, both operating under the supreme deity Tengri.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Erlik?
Erlik is the god of death and the underworld in Turkic mythology. He is known as the bringer of death, plague, and evil spirits, and he claims the souls of the wicked for his realm.
What is Erlik's role in Turkic mythology?
Erlik is the antagonist figure to the benevolent deity Ülgen, representing evil and darkness. He is involved in the creation of humanity and is seen as the teacher of sin and the ruler of the underworld.
Where does Erlik live?
Erlik resides in the underworld, often described as being in the depths of the earth, specifically at the 9th layer. According to Khakas tradition, he lives in a copper palace.
What are Erlik's children known for?
Erlik has nine sons, the Karaoğlanlar, who rule over various aspects of evil, chaos, and misfortune. He also has nine daughters, the Karakızlar, who are known to tempt shamans.
How is Erlik depicted?
Erlik is sometimes described as a monster with the face and teeth of a pig combined with a human body. He is also depicted as an old man with black eyes and a well-built physique.
Are there any specific beliefs about Erlik's creation?
One legend states that Kayra Khan cast the first human away from the heavenly realm as punishment, naming him Erlik, after the human desired to hide soil to create his own world. Another legend suggests God endowed Erlik with a hammer and anvil but removed his power when he used them to create evil.
Related Demons
Kara İye
The İye are tutelary spirits in Turkic mythology, embodying the essence of specific places, people, or natural phenomena. While often referred to as "masters" or "possessors," they are not necessarily objects of worship but revered as sacred essences. Their disposition is directly influenced by human actions, acting as a spiritual proprietor rather than a malevolent entity, though some traditions have led to their demonization as Kara İye.
Achlys
Achlys is a figure from ancient Greek literature, primarily known as the personification of sorrow or a deathly mist. While first appearing in Homer as a mist that clouds the eyes of the dying, she is later depicted in Hesiod's "Shield of Heracles" as a fearsome, gaunt entity. Her Roman equivalent, Caligo, is associated with the primordial origins of the cosmos.
Amalanhig
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