The Mythological Origins of Novruz Charshambas in Azerbaijan / Azerbaycan`da Nevruz Çarşambalarının Mitolojik Kökenleri

Abstract

Nevruz, which has an important cultural value in the Turkish world and is registered as a common heritage of 12 countries, including Azerbaijan, in UNESCO’s Representation List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is one of the festivals celebrated enthusiastically among Azerbaijani Turks, as in the entire Turkish world. This ancient Turkish tradition, which originates from primitive periods and represents the arrival of spring and the awakening of nature, continues to be kept alive by Central Asia and especially Azerbaijan Turks by preserving mythological aspects, despite all kinds of pressures and difficulties. The mythological aspects of Nevruz appear in charshamba ceremonies, which has an important place in Nevruz celebrations. Elements such as fire, water, air and earth, which are found in many cultures and are the main dynamics of renewal and creation myths and also considered sacred in the old Turkish belief system, form the basis of the ceremonial ceremonies. In this study, the mythological origins of the Nevruz charshambas were discussed which had been associated with these four elements.

Keywords

• nevruz
• turkish mythology
• charshambas
• fire
• water
• wind
• earth