Erlik: God of the Underworld in Turkic Mythology

Origin and Creation of Erlik

Associated with darkness and chaos, the god of the underworld, Erlik (Old Turkic: π°€π°Όπ° π°ƒπ°š), also known as Erlik Khan, is one of the most powerful and fearsome beings in Turkic mythology. His father is Kayra, the god of creation, so he and Ülgen are siblings.

Kayra gave both of her sons major roles as the creator of the universe. However, while Ülgen was associated with goodness and light, Erlik was identified with darkness and evil. In a world where Ülgen lived on the 16th floor of the sky and tried to maintain order in the universe, Erlik became the king of the underworld and was tasked with managing the dark forces in the universe. His position between these two opposites also symbolizes the conflict between good and evil in Turkic cosmology.

Erlik has an important role in the creation myth. In the legends of the Turks about the creation of the universe, a great struggle takes place between Ülgen and Erlik. In a universe ruled by optimism, over time Erlik begins to question Ülgen’s authority and begins to rule the universe with his own rules. This is the beginning of the first great conflict between the two gods, and Erlik is exiled to the underworld as the leader of the dark forces. This exile causes him to become the king of the underworld. Ülgen’s defiance of his will is considered the beginning of evil in Turkic mythology.

Erlik’s role in this creation myth ensures that the order of the universe is maintained by two opposing forces. While Ülgen reigns in the sky as the symbol of goodness and order, Erlik reigns underground as the king of chaos and disorder. This opposition maintains balance not only between nature and humans in Turkic mythology, but also in the spiritual world. Although Erlik played an active role in creation, he became a feared figure for humanity due to his relationship with death and darkness.

Erlik’s evil role also determined his fate. Although his relationship with Ülgen was initially shaped by the bond of brotherhood, the power struggle between the two deepened over time. Where Ülgen was interested in organizing the universe and guiding people, Erlik tried to maintain the rule of spirits and darkness with a more chaotic force. This opposition in Turkic mythology is considered a balancing element based on the existence of opposite poles, similar to the yin-yang concept in Chinese philosophy.

Master of Darkness: Erlik’s Role in the Afterlife

Erlik simply serves as the king of the underworld in Turkic mythology. Therefore, similar to the underworld gods in other mythologies, he is associated with death, darkness and evil. In this respect, he has absolute power over the spirits and dark beings imprisoned in the underworld. His duty is to manage the inevitable end of life, death and the post-death process. This connection with death makes him a symbol of man’s deepest fears. In Turkic mythology, death is not seen as an end, but as a transition to another realm, and this realm is under Erlik’s rule.

Erlik’s influence on death and the dead makes him a figure that people both fear and respect. Erlik, who is considered a part of death among the Turks, is the leader of the dark underworld where souls travel after the body dies. Shamans develop rituals trying to understand his power and control over the dead.

The fear of Erlik is linked to the uncertainty of life after death. When people’s souls enter Erlik’s world, they are evaluated according to their good or bad actions and remain underground accordingly.

Erlik’s existence is also a cosmological balance. While people follow Ülgen’s order and goodness in life, they pass to Erlik’s dark world in death. This transition raises great questions about human existence. People find a response in Erlik’s world according to their good or bad actions.

How is Erlik Described?

Erlik is usually described in myths with a beard that reaches down to his knees and jet-black hair. These descriptions reflect Erlik’s deep relationship with darkness and the greatness of his power. His moustache is described as the tusks of a wild boar. His horns resemble the branches of a giant tree.

Erlik’s dark hair, eyebrows and horns carry not only physical but also spiritual meaning. Erlik, the leader of the evil spirits living underground, is the god of darkness and death in every way. He lives in a gloomy palace made of iron. This palace, which smells of rust, is protected by two terrifying monsters named Abra and Yutpa.

Erlik’s descriptions usually contain extremely frightening and grotesque details. It can be said that his description in shaman prayers reflects the fears within people. These fears also reveal their relationship with death and the unknown. Erlik’s appearance is a reminder to people about the inevitability and frightening nature and the cruelty of death. His existence is considered the embodiment of darkness and chaos, which is why he has never been depicted or sculpted.

The Underworld in Turkic Mythology

In Turkic mythology, the underworld is depicted as a place that ordinary people do not know, cannot see, but are afraid of. In this world, Erlik has absolute control over the souls of all the dead. How life after death will be is determined in Erlik’s world.

The underworld is usually associated with concepts such as hell. However, in Turkic mythology, Erlik’s world has a more complex structure. This realm is a place where souls are not only punished, but also evaluated. What kind of fate good or bad souls will face under Erlik’s rule depends on the actions they have taken during their lives. Therefore, Erlik’s world can be thought of not only as a dark and painful place, but also as a realm where justice reigns.

The concepts of punishment and life after death in Turkic mythology take shape in Erlik’s world. Those who live a good life are accepted into Ülgen’s world and find peace, while those who do evil are punished in Erlik’s dark world. In the underworld, souls both pay the price for their past evil deeds and are trapped in eternal darkness.

Another important feature of the underground world is the tragic events experienced by beings that escape to this realm or try to escape from it. According to Siberian Turkic legends, mammoths working in the service of Erlik were imprisoned underground. These mammoths who tried to escape to the surface were punished by being frozen. This legend describes the power of the underground world and the impossibility of escaping from this world.

Erlik in Mythical Tales and Epic Narratives

Erlik is frequently featured in Turkic epics and folk tales. In these stories, especially those shaped under the influence of Shamanism, Erlik is both a feared and respected figure. Shamans try to understand Erlik’s power and appease him. In shaman rituals, prayers and ceremonies directed to Erlik are performed so that the souls of those who died can find peace in his world. For instance, if you were a Turk living in the early Middle Ages and were worried that the soul of someone you had recently lost was suffering, you could perhaps ease the pain of the deceased by asking a shaman to meet with Erlik or by offering sacrifices to Erlik.

Erlik’s interactions with people and other gods also play a major role in epics. In these stories, heroes who challenge Erlik’s power enter his world and try to save their souls after death. However, these struggles usually end in failure. Because Erlik’s world is a place beyond the power of the human soul.

Children of Erlik in Shaman Texts

Erlik’s sons and daughters are referenced in certain shamanic writings and tales. They are known as dark sons (kara oğlanlar) and dark daughters (kara kΔ±zlar).

Dark sons

Erlik has nine sons, also known as the dark sons. Their names are Badış Han, Karaş Han, Kerey Han, KΓΆmΓΌr Han, MatΔ±r Han, Şıngay Han, Temir Han, UΓ§ar Han and Yabaş Han. Each of them has their own specific duty, and when the time comes, they help shamans who try to descend into Erlik’s world.

Dark daughters

Erlik has nine daughters, also known as the dark daughters. There are no written sources regarding their names, but these girls are generally known as malevolent β€œfemme fatale” beings that distract shamans trying to ascend to Ülgen.

Erlik’s Relationship with Other Mythological Characters

There are many striking similarities between Γ–rdΓΆg in Hungarian mythology and Erlik in Turkic mythology. Both figures are associated with darkness, evil, and the underworld. These similarities can be explained by common cosmological themes based on the historical ties of Turkic and Hungarian cultures and the influences of shamanism.

Γ–rdΓΆg is considered the god of darkness and evil in Hungarian mythology. Like Erlik, Γ–rdΓΆg lives in a hell-like underworld and has dominion over evil spirits. Both figures are associated with death and are seen as beings who determine the evil fates of souls. In particular, the role of the king of the underworld is a defining feature for both Γ–rdΓΆg and Erlik. According to Hungarian folklore, Γ–rdΓΆg is constantly active to lead people astray and into evil. Just as Erlik tries to lead shamans and people astray through the seductive dark daughters.

Γ–rdΓΆg is usually depicted as a horned, black-bearded, and ugly being. This depiction is extremely similar to Erlik’s horns, beard and frightening appearance. Both figures directly represent the wild and dangerous aspects of nature. While Γ–rdΓΆg reflects the evil powers of the dark forests and wildlife, Erlik rules over the dark and unknown dangers of the underworld.

In comparisons made with the gods of the underworld in other world mythologies, Erlik is sometimes compared to Hades in Greek mythology. Like Hades, Erlik is the king of the underworld and rules over the souls of the dead. However, Hades is a more passive figure, while Erlik takes on a more active and punishing role. Unlike Hades, Erlik constantly tries to interfere with human life and encourages them to do evil. In this respect, Erlik stands out as a stronger and darker figure.

In Norse mythology, Erlik can be compared to Loki. Loki is the god of evil and chaos in Norse mythology. He is constantly in conflict with other gods. Like Erlik, Loki also represents the dark forces. With these forces, he aims to disrupt the order of the universe. However, Erlik is different from Loki because he is the direct king of the underworld. Erlik not only does evil, but also holds the reign of the afterlife.