The Van Lake Monster refers to a mythical creature that has been part of local folklore for centuries, often referred to as the "lake monster" by the people around Lake Van in eastern Turkey. The lake, with a surface area of 3,582 km², is the largest soda lake in Turkey, reaching depths of up to 440 meters. The belief in this monster, which has become both a physical and cultural part of the region, has a long history.
Geographical and Socio-Cultural Position of Lake Van
Lake Van, surrounded by mountains and volcanic formations, is a remarkable area in terms of both biological diversity and its mythological significance. The flora and fauna around the lake are quite limited, and the soda composition of the lake restricts the life in the area. However, the lake is considered sacred among the local people, who have reinforced this sacredness with rumors of a monster living in its depths. The Van Lake Monster is central to this legend, becoming a creature that both frightens and intrigues the local population.
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The Mythological Origins and Evolution of the Monster
The tales of the Van Lake Monster have been passed down through written sources, especially from the Ottoman period, to the present day. In Evliya Çelebi's Seyahatname, a creature described as the "Van Dragon" inhabits the depths of Lake Van, and it is one of the central elements of the region's myths. There are various accounts of this monster in Çelebi's writings. According to these stories, two dragons that once lived at the foot of Mount Süphan now reside in the depths of Lake Van. One of the dragons was petrified by Abdurrahman Ghazi as it set out to travel to Erzurum, and the other was killed on the shores of the lake. However, there is no concrete evidence to verify the truth of these accounts.
Today, the Van Lake Monster is not just a local legend but also a part of popular culture. A report published in Saadet Gazetesi in 1889 describes an event where a creature from the lake allegedly grabbed a person and pulled them into the water while a group of people were performing ablution. A similar story from 1965 mentions the death of a young person allegedly killed by a monster after disappearing in the lake. In 2020 and 2021, various reports claimed sightings of the Van Lake Monster. Its physical characteristics are generally described as a creature that moves rapidly on the surface of the water, with a zigzag-shaped back, about 7-8 meters long.
Cultural and Iconographic Similarities of Water Monster Beliefs
Water monster figures, like the Van Lake Monster, are found not only in Turkish culture but also in various mythologies around the world. Monsters and creatures associated with water are common in Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Chinese, and Greek mythologies. For example, in Mesopotamian mythology, the sea monster Labbu, a terrifying creature of enormous size, is described as a dangerous entity living in the depths of the water. In Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra is depicted as a seven-headed dragon representing water and the sea. These figures share parallels with the Van Lake Monster, as both create danger and mystery related to deep waters.
The Van Lake Monster and Tourism
The place of the Van Lake Monster in popular culture has contributed to the region’s tourism, with tours centered around the monster becoming an opportunity for the local economy. Around the lake, tours aimed at seeing the monster while narrating the legend offer visitors a chance to explore both local myths and the natural beauty of the area. However, since there is no definitive proof of the truth of these stories, the existence of the Van Lake Monster remains more of a legend and a tourist attraction.
