Uluslararası Türk Lehçe Araştırmaları Dergisi (Jun 2024)
Ulkar star in the imagination of the turkic nations
Abstract
Among the examples of heavenly bodies in the imagination of the Turkic nations, the Ulkar star and the examples related to its etiology occupy a special place. The Ulkar star in various theoretical sources and oral examples, is often referred to as a "cluster of stars" in Turkish folklore. While examining these examples, we feel that it is necessary to touch upon the naming of the Ulkar star first. In many research works and dictionaries, certain explanations have been given to this name. In some verbal examples, the star of Ulkar is called Ulkar, just as we express it. In the folklore of different Turkic nations, this star is expressed by different names. In the works of Turkmen scientists of the 11th-14th centuries, the star cluster Pleiades (Ulkar) is often mentioned. In Salar Baba's work, she is called Sureya, and in Gazi Burhaneddin's work, she is called Parvin. According to oral tradition widely spread among the Turkic nations, in ancient times Ulkar was the spirit that controlled the weather. Whenever the Ulkar begins to appear, the deadly cold and storms begin. In the examples, in most cases, there is talk about the material creation of the star. In another example, the origin of the name Ulkar is mentioned, and it is associated with a certain action. In the plots of examples with this theme, the motif of "going to sky" occupies a central place. The fact that the Ulkar was taken to the sky by another creature is also found in the imaginations of the Turkic nations. From all this, it can be concluded that in the worldview of the Turkic nations, the Ulkar star, which is associated with cold weather, was any creature on earth before transformation. Then that creature rose to the sky for various reasons and became the star of Ulkar
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