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Tulpar
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Turkic mythology
Belief system
Chief gods and goddesses
Epics and heroes
Major concepts
Horse on the flag of Argayashsky District, an area with a predominant Bashkir population.

Tulpar is a legendary winged or celestial horse in Turkic mythology, akin to the Greek Pegasus. The origins of Tulpar are intertwined with the hunting traditions of Central Asian peoples, who used horses and falconry birds. Over time, these two animals merged in the human imagination, creating the winged horse known as Tulpar.[citation needed]

Heraldry and depictions

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Tulpar is embedded in the cultural heritage of Turkic-speaking nations, including Turks, Uzbeks, Bashkirs,[1][2] Kazakhs[3] and Kyrgyz.

The emblem of Kazakhstan includes two golden tulpars, a yurt's top, and sun rays on a blue background symbolizing the sky where tulpars gallop.

Winged horses, depicted in the art of ancient nomads, on metal jewelry of the Altai Sakas, on the Kargaly diadem, on the headdress of the Golden Man from the Issyk Mound, and on Scythian dishes. A notable artifact, a ceremonial gilt bronze finial depicting a standing horse, exemplifies Saka culture.

Emblem of Kazakhstan, featuring two golden tulpars

Mythological and cosmological interpretations

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In various cultures of Eurasia, the image of the heavenly horse links the earthly realm to the celestial and serving as a guide to the sphere of immortality. In the Chinese tradition (Han period), the "heavenly horse" (tianma, 天马) was believed to have "come from the West" and to have "emerged from springs", that is, from the mythic source of the world's waters. The mention of the horse appearing from a spring (泉水) symbolically points to the world ocean (Vedic samudra) encircling the center of the cosmos. In Indo-Iranian (Vedic and Avestan) cosmology, a similar concept appears: the world ocean surrounding the axis of the world –a mountain or tree at the universe's center. In Chinese legend, this center is the sacred Mount Kunlun (the counterpart of the Vedic Meru), to which the heavenly horse carries the chosen hero or emperor. The ascent to the summit of the world mountain is associated with obtaining the gift of immortality: in the Daoist–Han version, these are the peaches of immortality growing in the paradise of the goddess Xiwangmu on Kunlun, whereas in the Vedic tradition it is the gods' drink soma (amrita) drawn from the cosmic waters. The plots align in structure: the hero (or ruler) undertakes a journey from the margins of the cosmos (from the waters of chaos) to its center (the world mountain) to obtain the elixir of immortality –and the decisive role in this is played by the heavenly horse as vehicle and guide. Only thanks to the wondrous steed can one traverse the distance between earth and sky and reach the realm of the gods. In Han poetry, such a horse is praised as a being of divine nature, "opening distant gates" and "raising the body to Kunlun," that is, transporting its rider to the abode of the immortals. It is described with epithets like "bold and extraordinary spirit," "powerful and rare essence," underscoring that it is not merely an animal but a celestial messenger and mediator between worlds.

In Buddhist legends of Central Asia (the Khotan-Saka Jatakas), a heavenly horse is described carrying a king around the axis of the world: Mount Sumeru, situated at the center of the universe. It was believed that such horses dwelling on the summit of the world mountain (the land of the gods) served as intermediaries between the planes of existence. In the Hindu-Vedic tradition, the horse's role as a cosmic connector is reflected in the royal rite of Ashvamedha: the ritual horse is symbolically "tethered" to the world tree, united with the queen, and ultimately sacrificed, its body equated with the structure of the cosmos –thus sacred power and grace (farr, khvarenah) pass to the ruler. Among the Saka-Scythians, similar notions were expressed through the cult of the horse in chieftains' burials and coronation races, where the horse in effect occupied the center of the cosmos, affirming the king's authority. The common idea was that the axis mundi is materialized through the figure of the horse, and through it the earthly ruler receives the heavenly mandate. Thus, in both the East and West of Eurasia, the heavenly horse became a symbol of the path to immortality and of divine approval of power. Echoes of these ancient motifs are found much later as well: for example, Turkic folklore preserves legends of winged horses—Tulpar, faithful companions of batyrs—while in the Islamic tradition the wondrous horse Buraq is known as a vehicle of prophets. All of these embody a single archetype: a horse capable of crossing the boundaries of worlds, bringing the hero heavenly knowledge, strength, or salvation.[4]

Saka ceremonial gilt bronze finial depicting a heavenly horse

See also

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Bibliography

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References

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Tulpar

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Tulpar is a legendary winged horse in , celebrated for its extraordinary speed that exceeds the wind, invisible wings, and its role as a celestial companion to brave heroes and shamans. Often depicted in white or black, this mythical creature symbolizes , , and a profound spiritual connection to the heavens, originating from ancient Turkic folklore where it aids in epic quests. In Turkic epics such as the Köroğlu cycle, the Tulpar serves as a swift steed embodying the nomadic warrior spirit. This figure underscores the central role of in Turkic culture, elevated to divine status as intermediaries between the earthly and celestial realms, reflecting themes of freedom and heroism across Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Tatar traditions. Beyond mythology, the Tulpar holds enduring symbolic importance in contemporary Central Asian identity, prominently featured as two golden winged horses flanking the shanyrak in the of , where they represent courage, freedom, and the enduring nomadic heritage of the Kazakh people. This emblem, adopted in and refined in , integrates the Tulpar to evoke national unity and aspiration, connecting ancient legends to modern sovereignty.

Etymology and Terminology

Name Origins

The term "Tulpar" originates from the spoken across and , where it denotes a legendary horse celebrated for its unparalleled speed and, in various traditions, celestial or winged qualities. This name is distinctive to , setting it apart as a symbol unique to the of these peoples, often depicted as a steed—either white or black—that assists heroes in their quests. The of "Tulpar" is not definitively established but is believed to derive from Turkic terms describing a swift or powerful steed, reflecting the emphasis on speed and in nomadic . Historical attestations of "Tulpar" trace back to medieval Turkic oral epics, including the Kyrgyz Manas and the Kazakh Alpamys, with roots in oral traditions likely dating to the 8th–10th centuries CE, though written records emerged later in the . In these epics, Tulpar appears as the exemplary mount for epic protagonists, highlighting its role as a swift companion essential for nomadic pursuits like warfare and travel across vast steppes. The term evolved from a descriptive label for an elite, agile in the practical contexts of Turkic nomadic —tied to totemistic reverence for equine strength—to a fully mythical embodying prowess and tribal identity. This shift is illustrated in where Tulpar transitions into a sacred , influencing ethnonyms and symbols, as seen in Uzbek epics referring to superior as "tulpar" to evoke grace and power. Over time, it became a celestial helper in legends, reflecting deeper Altaic cultural layers while paralleling the broader Eurasian winged horse motif, such as the Greek Pegasus.

Linguistic Variations

The term "Tulpar" for the mythical shows relative consistency across , with subtle phonetic and orthographic variations reflecting regional linguistic evolution. In Kazakh, it is written as Тұлпар and pronounced approximately as [tʊɬˈpɑr], emphasizing a long in the first . Similarly, Kyrgyz uses тулпар (Tulpar), Uzbek employs "tulpar" in epic literature to denote a swift, exceptional horse, and Tatar renders it as тулпар (Tulpar). Mongolian contexts, influenced by prolonged Turkic-Mongolic contact, also adopt "Tulpar" with minor phonetic adjustments, such as softer articulation due to Mongolic prosody. These forms highlight the term's shared Altaic heritage while accommodating language-specific systems. A notable deviation occurs in Bashkir, where the term is Толпар (Tolpar), featuring a vowel shift from /u/ to /o/ and integration into epic narratives as толпар, symbolizing a heroic steed. This variation underscores Bashkir's Kipchak branch position within Turkic languages, where rounded vowels are more prevalent. Additionally, falconry traditions in Central Asian cultures contributed to the imagery, with terms like those for birds of prey (e.g., evoking swift hunters) influencing the hybrid horse-bird motif underlying the Tulpar legend. Dialectal differences in and evolved significantly between pre-modern oral traditions and Soviet-era . In pre-Soviet times, nomadic oral epics transmitted the term through regional dialects, allowing fluid variations like the Bashkir Tolpar or extended forms in Altaic , preserving phonetic diversity tied to tribal identities. The Soviet period (–1940s) imposed on Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Bashkir, standardizing spellings to facilitate literacy and ideological unity, such as uniform Cyrillic representations of "tulpar" across republics. This reform reduced orthographic divergence but retained spoken variations, like the Kazakh long /u/ versus Bashkir /o/, as local phonologies resisted full assimilation. Post-Soviet Latinization efforts in some languages, such as Uzbek's switch, have further nuanced written forms without erasing these historical layers.

Description and Characteristics

Physical Appearance

In Turkic folklore, particularly within Kazakh traditions, the Tulpar is portrayed as a majestic equine creature endowed with wings, enabling it to traverse vast distances both on land and in the sky. This hybrid form combines the sturdy build of a horse with avian elements, emphasizing grace and power suited for heroic journeys, as seen in epic tales where its strides span hundreds of fathoms in a single bound. The wings represent a core physical trait, often described as ethereal and capable of being concealed in ritual vessels filled with or to maintain their , as recounted in narratives like the "Matchmaking of Edile and Zhayik." While specific colors vary across accounts, the Tulpar's coat is frequently envisioned as or , evoking purity and divine favor in the creature's overall . Depictions exhibit subtle variations tied to regional folklore; in Kazakh oral literature, the Tulpar often appears initially as an unassuming, plain horse that transforms into its resplendent winged form upon bonding with a worthy batyr (hero), revealing an elegant, elongated posture and flowing mane that accentuates its speed.

Mythical Abilities

In Turkic folklore, particularly in Kazakh epics such as Qambar Batïr, the Tulpar possesses the supernatural ability to fly, often depicted as soaring with the swiftness of a bird to bridge earthly and celestial realms. This flight enables the creature to transport worthy riders—typically batyrs (heroes)—on transcendent journeys. The Tulpar's aerial prowess underscores its role as a divine intermediary, connecting the physical world to higher cosmic planes. Beyond flight, the Tulpar exhibits extraordinary speed, galloping faster than the wind, which amplifies its utility in epic battles and pursuits. In narratives like Kobylandy Batïr, its mane flutters dramatically during these high-velocity runs, while sweat from intense exertion highlights its physical strain under heroic demands, though no direct healing properties are attributed to these elements in preserved oral traditions. Some accounts describe the Tulpar transforming from a plain to its true winged form. A key limitation in Tulpar lore is its untamable nature for ordinary mortals; only individuals embodying heroic valor can approach, mount, and command it, ensuring it serves as a mount exclusively for the elect in batyr epics. This selectivity reinforces the Tulpar's status as a sacred of divine favor and moral worthiness.

Mythological Origins

Turkic Roots

Tulpar's in Turkic folklore trace back to the shamanistic traditions of the Göktürk Khaganate (6th–8th centuries CE), where horses held sacred status as celestial intermediaries in Tengrist rituals, often sacrificed to invoke the sky god . In this pre-Islamic context, the mythical horse embodied a fusion of equine —central to nomadic steppe life—and avian symbolism, with occasionally manifesting as a white goose, a for shamans undertaking ecstatic journeys to the upper world. Among the early , who succeeded the Göktürks and initially adhered to similar beliefs before adopting in the 8th century, such spirit animals facilitated epic recitations and ancestral veneration, positioning Tulpar as a bridge between earthly heroes and divine realms. These elements predated the 10th-century among , preserving Tengrist motifs in oral lore. Central to Tulpar's legendary role are its appearances in heroic epics as a swift, winged steed aiding protagonists in perilous quests. In the Kyrgyz Manas epic, Tulpar accompanies the hero Manas and his warriors, symbolizing unyielding speed and loyalty during battles and migrations across the steppes. Similarly, in Kazakh tales such as the Alpamys , the titular hero rides a tulpar that provides aid, including outpacing enemies and assisting in escapes from captivity, often against demonic foes like the sorceress Karshygha. These narratives, rooted in shamanic epic cycles, depict Tulpar not merely as a mount but as a sentient ally that enhances the 's prowess in confronting chaos and restoring order. This indigenous Turkic framework underscores Tulpar's function as a shamanic emblem, guiding souls or heroes toward Tengri's domain in rituals that blended horse sacrifices with invocations of bird-like intermediaries, long before external religious syncretisms altered the tradition.

Influences from Central Asian Traditions

The concept of Tulpar, the winged horse in , exhibits clear syncretic elements derived from -Saka artistic and cultural traditions dating to the 5th–3rd centuries BCE, particularly through motifs uncovered in in the of . These elite nomadic tombs, associated with the branch of peoples, contain numerous artifacts depicting winged horses, such as gold plaques from Kul Oba showing a rearing in a framed composition (5.3 x 5.4 cm) and enamel-inlaid necklaces from Bolshaya Bliznitsa featuring alternating protomes and floral elements (34.0 cm long). Bracelets from Karagodeuashkh in the region portray hippocampi—winged horses with coiling tails—crafted in spiraled gold (diameter 7.0 cm each). These representations, blending indigenous zoomorphic styles with Hellenistic influences, underscore the horse's central role in funerary and cosmological beliefs, where winged variants evoked transcendence and otherworldly prowess. As Turkic nomads emerged in the same regions centuries later, these motifs likely transmitted through cultural continuity among Eurasian pastoralists, shaping the Tulpar's attributes of velocity and celestial origin. Integrations from Mongolian and Siberian traditions further enriched the Tulpar imagery, drawing on Buryat and Tuvan where swift or ethereal horses connect to cosmogonic narratives involving the world ocean and sacred Altai landscapes. Mount Belukha, the highest peak in the Altai (4,506 m), stands as a pivotal sacred site in these traditions, revered as the "Navel of the Earth" and abode of divine entities, including horse-like shamans or sky beings that facilitate journeys across mythical waters. This integration reflects broader Altaic , where Tulpar-like figures symbolize spiritual elevation and harmony with natural forces, adapting local elements into Turkic narratives of nomadic heroism. Through exchanges, Tulpar absorbed subtler parallels from motifs, evolving within 13th-century Mongol epics that bridged these influences. "celestial horses" (tianma) from Ferghana—renowned for their endurance and mythical "blood-sweating" quality—symbolized imperial power and otherworldly vitality, imported during Emperor Wu's campaigns (circa 104 BCE) to bolster against steppe foes. These exchanges, documented in Han records, influenced Mongol chronicles like , where epic horses exhibit hybrid traits of speed and celestial ascent, contributing to the Tulpar's refined portrayal in post-Mongol Turkic lore.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Representations in Art and Literature

Tulpar figures appear in ancient Central Asian art as early as the 5th century BCE, often depicted as mythical winged horses symbolizing speed and divine favor in and cultures. The most prominent example is the headdress from the burial, associated with ," a warrior whose pointed cap is adorned with over 4,000 gold plaques, including intricate representations of twin horses with horns and wings, interpreted as proto-Tulpar motifs alongside snow leopards, mountain goats, and birds. Similarly, gold artifacts from the 4th century BCE, such as dishes and jewelry from kurgans in the Altai region and Pontic steppe, feature dynamic scenes of winged horses in the characteristic ," blending realistic equine forms with fantastical elements to evoke nomadic ideals of mobility and heroism. In medieval Turkic literature, Tulpar emerges as a symbolic emblem of valor and supernatural prowess, particularly in epic narratives rooted in Oghuz traditions. The 11th-century , a collection of twelve heroic tales, references sea-born horses akin to "su tulpar" (water Tulpar), portraying them as swift, otherworldly steeds that aid warriors in battles and quests, underscoring themes of loyalty and triumph over adversity. These depictions parallel broader motifs in Chagatai poetry. Folk art traditions in Kazakh and Kyrgyz communities from the 18th to 19th centuries preserved Tulpar imagery through everyday crafts, emphasizing its role in and . Embroidered textiles and felt carpets (tuskiiz) often incorporated stylized winged patterns in vibrant geometric designs, symbolizing protection and nomadic freedom, as seen in surviving examples from southern where dynamic flight scenes blend with ram's horn and tree-of-life motifs. These artistic expressions, passed down through oral and manual traditions, highlight Tulpar's enduring visual narrative in pre-modern Central Asian .

Role in National Symbols and Heraldry

The emblem of the Republic of , adopted on June 4, 1992, prominently features two rearing winged horses known as tulpars on a sky-blue background, flanked by a rising sun with 32 rays and a soaring eagle. This design, created by artists Jandarbek Melibekov and Shota Walikhanov, symbolizes the nation's , , and aspirations for a bright future following the , with the tulpars representing speed, bravery, and the enduring spirit of the Kazakh people. The blue field evokes the vast steppes and clear skies of the homeland, while the overall composition draws from ancient nomadic motifs to affirm 's in its post- identity. Post-Soviet revival has elevated the tulpar as a potent emblem of nomadic heritage in , appearing in public s and cultural festivals to foster national unity and historical continuity. For instance, the 2011 to the steppe Kulager in , a weighing six tons and standing 8.5 meters tall, honors the mythical horse's association with epic heroes and the Kazakh equestrian legacy. These uses highlight the tulpar's transition from to a living of post-independence resilience across Turkic communities.

Parallels with Pegasus

Tulpar and share striking similarities as mythical winged horses central to their respective cultural narratives, both embodying ideals of transcendence, heroism, and divine favor. In , emerges from the severed neck of the Gorgon , sired by the god , and serves as a mount for heroes like while symbolizing poetic inspiration through his creation of the spring on , sacred to the Muses. Likewise, in , Tulpar appears as a swift, winged steed gifted to epic heroes such as Alpamys by celestial beings or sky spirits, representing unparalleled speed and aid in quests for glory and immortality. These shared attributes—divine parentage or endowment, flight enabling otherworldly journeys, and association with heroic endeavors—highlight the winged horse as a universal of aspiration and elevation across Eurasian traditions. Despite these parallels, significant differences underscore the distinct mythological contexts of each creature. Pegasus is deeply intertwined with Hellenic themes of and natural elements, particularly ; his hoof strikes produce sacred springs, linking him to oracular sites and the Muse of , while his eventual ascension to Olympus as a constellation reinforces themes of eternal vigilance under . In contrast, Tulpar embodies the nomadic steppe ethos of Turkic , facilitating shamanic flights across vast landscapes and pursuits of eternal life in epics like the Manas, where it aids warriors in battles against chaos without ties to aqueous or prophetic motifs. This divergence reflects Pegasus's role in a Mediterranean cosmology of divine order versus Tulpar's function in a Central Asian emphasizing endurance and spiritual traversal of the infinite plains. The resemblances between Tulpar and are often attributed to the winged horse within a broader , suggesting convergent mythological evolution rather than direct transmission, as proposed in comparative studies of global motifs. Scholars posit Indo-European roots influencing both, potentially mediated by ancient interactions between steppe nomads like the —who depicted winged horses in art blending local and Greek styles around the 7th century BCE—and Mediterranean cultures, though no evidence indicates borrowing specific to Tulpar or Pegasus. This 's persistence across Turkic and Greek traditions illustrates how shared human experiences of flight and heroism manifest in parallel mythic forms.

Connections to Buraq and Other Creatures

In later Turkic literary works influenced by the Islamicization of beginning in the , the mythical Tulpar intersects with the Islamic figure of , the winged steed that transported the Prophet Muhammad during the journey, in certain narratives such as 20th-century Kazakh poetry. In these contexts, Tulpar is often depicted as analogous to , embodying swiftness and the ability to traverse earthly and spiritual realms, with shared attributes such as iridescent or multi-colored wings symbolizing divine speed and transcendence. Beyond this synergy, Tulpar exhibits parallels with the Mongolian "" (Hiimori), a shamanistic symbol of the human that facilitates journeys and carries prayers or spirits with wind-like velocity. Both creatures underscore the 's role in Central Asian spiritual practices, where Tulpar, like Hiimori, represents ethereal mobility and guidance in pre-Islamic and shamanic traditions. In Vedic texts, Tulpar shares conceptual affinities with divine figures such as , the multi-headed celestial steed emerging from the churning of the ocean, which, though not a direct hybrid with , evokes similar motifs of cosmic travel and hybrid equine-bird symbolism in Indo-Central Asian exchanges. Despite these overlaps, Tulpar's portrayal evolved distinctly in secular Turkic as a purely equine emblem of heroism and freedom, accessible in epic tales and lore, in contrast to Buraq's strictly religious role confined to prophetic narratives within Islamic .

References

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