This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
In Turkish mythology, the tree is regarded as a sacred entity directly connected to the creation of the universe, the order of heaven-earth-underworld, and the origin of humanity. In cultural memory, the tree serves as a channel conveying divine power to the world, a marker defining the center of the universe, and a symbol representing the continuity of life. In Turkish culture, sacred objects are not viewed as objects of worship themselves but as means of attaining connection with the divine. Within this framework, the sacred tree also embodies a cosmic bridge that unites the universe and makes life possible.
The Tree of Life, in Turkish thought, is a sacred element that functions as the central axis both in the center of cosmogony (creation) and in the shaman’s ritual ascent to the heavens, connecting the sky through its branches, the earth through its trunk, and the underworld through its roots. Thus, the tree becomes both a model explaining the structure of the universe and a symbol representing the cyclical nature of human life.
The Tree of Life is defined through the concept of the “cosmic tree”. The cosmic tree is an axis located at the center of the universe that unites the three-layered cosmos (heaven–earth–underworld) and integrates all existence. For this reason, sacred trees, along with mountains and sacred sites, are categorized under the concept of “central symbolism”.
According to Turkish mythology, the deity housed the nine human lineages directly under the shadow of this cosmic tree; its nine branches symbolically represented the nine human lineages. This understanding reveals how central the tree is as a mythological element in the very essence of creation narratives.
The fundamental characteristics of the cosmic tree are described in sources as follows:
Within the framework of shamanistic belief, the Tree of Life also serves as a kind of cosmic ladder during the shaman’s journey to the heavens; the tree motifs depicted on the shaman’s drum further reaffirm the sacred nature of this structure.
In Turkish creation narratives, the Tree of Life plays a central role in the emergence of the universe and human lineages. Accounts describe how the deity housed the first human communities under the shadow of a nine-branched sacred tree, with each of the nine branches symbolically representing one of the nine human lineages. This perspective demonstrates that the Tree of Life is a structure that defines the origins of humanity.
In creation myths, the tree is often the first manifestation of divine power and the source from which life sprouts. The nine-branched tree motif has become a fundamental symbol in Turkish mythology, explaining both the creation of primordial beings and the proliferation of lineages. The layered structure of the tree establishes a direct relationship with the tripartite order of the universe, expressing that creation occurred within a cosmic unity.
The tree is described as an axis present at the very first moment of creation, carrying the creative light of the deity. Thus, the Tree of Life becomes the element through which order emerges from the cosmic void of chaos. For this reason, the scene of creation is most often shaped around a sacred tree; the beginning of life and the multiplication of existence occur under its shadow.
In Turkish origin legends, the Tree of Life is also directly linked to the emergence of lineages. Narratives of heroes born from the tree, children miraculously appearing within sacred tree hollows, and lineages sprouting from its branches all demonstrate that the continuity of creation is sustained through this sacred tree. Therefore, the Tree of Life is the symbolic source of both the original creation and the enduring lineage of humanity.
In Turkish art, the Tree of Life motif appears as a central symbol that has maintained its presence continuously from pre-Islamic to post-Islamic periods. Early examples include tree and branching depictions found in the Pazırık and Noin-Ula archaeological discoveries. These findings demonstrate that the Tree of Life was already employed as an artistic theme from early periods.
From the perspective of art history, the Tree of Life gained significance as a cosmic symbol reflecting cosmological conceptions during the pre-Islamic period, and as a reinterpreted motif in ornamentation and architectural decoration after the advent of Islam. Research indicates that the post-Islamic period has been more thoroughly examined. During this era, the Tree of Life motif consistently appears in Seljuk and Ottoman art. It is noted to have been used extensively in architectural decoration, stone carving, tombstones, carpets, and other crafts.
During the Seljuk period, the motif was predominantly designed in the form of a stylized, vertically ascending axis; its branches spread symmetrically to both sides. This form reflects the vertical structure of the cosmic tree and themes of rebirth and the cycle of life. In the Ottoman period, the motif became a significant decorative element, particularly in architectural ornamentation, tiles, and tombstones, and was incorporated within plant-based decorative patterns.
Both Turkish and Chinese mythologies interpret the concept of the sacred tree as an axis explaining the structure of the universe, though the meaning, function, and symbolic weight carried by these sacred trees may differ. In China, Jian Mu Shu is a tree that connects earth and sky and is referred to in some sources directly as the tree of life. This sacred tree, serving as a cosmic axis, functions in Chinese mythology as a connecting line between the layered layers of the universe.
In Turkish mythology, the concept of the sacred tree is concretized particularly through the birch tree. The birch tree is described as “the tree of Ülgen,” “the tree that grants kut,” and as a symbol of fertility associated with women. The birch tree is regarded as a means of reaching the divine and plays a direct role in myths concerning the origin of human lineages or clans. It is described as a tree that “carries the kut of women” and possesses sacred qualities.
The fundamental difference between the two cultures lies in the meaning assigned to the function of the sacred tree. In China, sacred trees are generally associated with the ideas of immortality, long life, and direct connection with celestial powers; the tree serves as an ascending axis enabling communication with the sky gods. In Turkish mythology, however, the sacred tree is not an object of worship but a vehicle for reaching the divine, a cosmic center through which divine power descends to earth. The Turks do not worship the sacred tree; they view it as a means of reaching God. In Chinese culture, the tree is more closely associated with the ideal of immortality.
In Turkish culture, the tree cult is one of the oldest and most widespread belief elements forming the foundation of the Tree of Life belief. Although its exact origins are unknown, it is generally accepted that the tree cult emerged in the mountainous Ötüken region among pre-Islamic Turkish communities. The Ötüken forests (Ötüken Yış) were regarded as sacred during both the Göktürk and Uyghur periods, and various rituals were performed around these forests.
The tree cult is part of nature worship, and in this context, the tree represents a sacred symbol and the embodiment of a mythical center. In Turkish culture, the sanctity of the tree stems from its various characteristics and symbolic meanings.
The tree cult was not merely a cosmogonic element; it also became deeply embedded in Turkish social life. The seasonal renewal cycle of trees was linked to the cycle of human life; thus, the tree came to be seen as a symbol of immortality, rebirth, and continuity. The tradition of planting trees beside graves was based on the belief that the deceased would be reborn like a tree.
The sanctity of the tree is not related to its material existence but to the power it represents, the symbols it carries, and the cosmic function it fulfills. The tree was never regarded as God; rather, it was viewed as an intermediary for reaching God, seeking divine assistance, and protection from evil.
Although various tree species were regarded as sacred among Turkish communities, the birch tree is recognized as the most concrete and widespread representation of the Tree of Life. The Turks specifically chose the birch as their Tree of Life. This choice is linked not only to the birch’s natural characteristics—its sturdy trunk, long lifespan, and ability to grow across wide geographical areas—but also to its mythological functions. In Turkish culture, the tree cult is a multilayered symbol serving as the cornerstone of the Tree of Life concept, the backbone of creation cosmology, and the center of social rituals.
The Woodcutting Prayer of the Tahtacı Turkmens (TRT Avaz)
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Mythological Origins of the Tree of Life
The Tree of Life in Turkish Creation Narratives
The Tree of Life in Turkish Art
The Concept of the Sacred Tree in Turkish and Chinese Mythologies
The Relationship Between the Tree Cult and the Tree of Life in Turkish Culture