Nardoğan-Büyükçille Celebration

Nardugan (Nardoğan-Büyükçille) is more than an ancient festival. It’s a bridge between the past and present. By reviving this tradition, communities preserve their heritage, celebrate cultural diversity, and reconnect with the rhythms of nature. Its themes of renewal, gratitude, and light resonate universally, making Nardugan a meaningful celebration for people of all backgrounds.

Mavi Boncuk | 

Nardoğan-Büyükçille Celebration

According to the beliefs of the Turks before they embraced monotheistic religions, a "white pine tree" stood at the very center of the earth, considered the navel of the earth. The top of this tree extends to the palace of the god Ülgen[1], who resides in the sky, and they call it the "tree of life." This tree motif can be found in all our carpets, rugs, and embroidery.

Ülgen, the protector of humanity, sits in his palace, bearded and dressed in a robe, and rules over night, day, and the sun. The sun is very important to the Turks. According to their beliefs, on December 22nd, when the nights begin to shorten and the days begin to lengthen, night battles day. After a long battle, day triumphs, defeating night.

This is perceived by the Turks as the rebirth of the sun; a "new birth." The holiday is called "Nardugan." "Nar" means "sun," "tugan/dugan" means "born," and "Çam Bayramı" (Pine Festival).

From that day on, astronomically, the nights begin to shorten, and the days begin to lengthen. The Turks celebrate this victory and rebirth of the sun with great festivities under the white pine tree (Akçaçam). They pray to Ülgen, saying, "He gave the sun back." They place gifts under the tree, saying, "May their prayers go to God, and we had a good year." They tie ribbons around its branches, asking God for wishes for the year. According to belief, these wishes are invariably granted.

For this holiday, houses are cleaned, and beautiful clothes are worn; songs are sung and games played around the tree. Elderly people, grandfathers, and grandmothers are visited; families gather to eat and drink together. (The food includes fresh and dried fruits, a special dish, and a type of candy.) It is believed that celebrating the holiday with family and friends will increase longevity and bring good luck. On this day, those who are evil become good, and those who are stingy become generous. It is believed that Erlik, the brother of Ülgen, the sky god and the dweller of the underground logs, also delivers gifts on this day, wearing a fur robe, a red hood, boots, and a sack in his hand. This Santa Claus costume is an old Turkish costume. Isn't a deer sacred to the Turks living in Siberia? The Turks also call this holiday the Pine Festival.

According to the legend, the "pine tree" grows only in Central Asia. For example, they don't know this tree in Palestine. Therefore, this event was passed down from the Turks to the Christians; it is said that Christians adopted this ceremony from the Huns after their arrival in Europe. It has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus! The birth is the rebirth of the sun.* We learn that this tradition survived in various forms among the Asian Turks. Meanwhile, we also learned that in some regions of Anatolia, pine trees were brought to weddings and people danced around them. We see that traditions, without the need for written text, have survived for thousands of years, undergoing some changes from generation to generation.

According to encyclopedias, Jesus was perceived as the light and sun of the universe, and this event was adopted from pagan peoples and attributed to Jesus. During the reign of Emperor Constantine (324-337), at the council convened in Nicaea, this "pagan festival", commemorating the birth of the sun on December 22nd, was moved to December 24th, marking the birth of Jesus, and this became known as "Christmas." (The Western Church [i.e. Catholics] celebrate this on December 25th.) Pine decoration was first seen in Germany in 1605 and from there it passed to France and other Christian countries.

There are many mythological trees that connect the sky and the earth. These trees, also called the tree of life, the world tree or the cosmic tree, often have similar meanings. The Romanian historian of religion Mircea Eliade argued that all the symbols that provide communication between the earth and the sky are variants of the cosmic tree.

The tree of life, which dates back to prehistoric times, is a global motif. It clarifies concepts such as life, creation, death or immortality. That’s why the tree of life is one of the most important symbols in Turkic mythology.

The tree of life, known as Ulukayın[2], Paykaygın, Bayterek and Aal Luuk Mas in Turkic communities, is usually depicted in the form of beech with nine branches, and sometimes in the form of pine or poplar with seven or eight branches. Therefore, beech trees are considered sacred in almost all Turkic communities.

A giant eagle known as Bürküt, Merküt and Öksökö is believed to live on top of the tree of life.

Research show that the tree cult in the Turks evolved from nature worship and forest worship, which were a part of animism in earlier times.

Ulukayın, which was planted by the creator god Kayra Han in Turkic mythology, is usually depicted with nine branches, as mentioned above. According to the myths, the nine races or nine Turkic tribes on earth were created through the branches of the tree of life. These communities mixed with each other over time and formed today’s societies.

However, Turkic communities in Northeast Siberia explained the creation differently. According to the Epic of Er Sogotoh, the first human was born from Kübey Hatun, who lives in the tree of life.

Kübey Hatun is a mythological being who lives in the tree of life in Turkic mythology. Some researchers have also described her as a kind of birth goddess. She is usually depicted as a woman who is a tree from the waist down. She is the mother of the first human, Er Sogotoh.

Er Sogotoh, whose father is God, is the ancestor of all people on earth according to epics. He later learned that his mother was Kübey Hatun.

[1] According to them, maple trees lie at the very heart of the earth, and they believe that their Almighty God, Ülgen, watches over the people from where they extend. The Turks consider the rebirth of the sun a new beginning, a new hope, and new goals. In gratitude to the Almighty Ülgen for bestowing this new hope upon humanity, they shared their joy and happiness beneath those trees. At the base of the tree, they placed their favorite gifts for Ülgen as gifts.

These trees were thought to provide a connection between humans and God. Thus, these trees were considered sacred and considered the most important point where people shared their happiness and joy with God. Traces of this traditional belief of the ancient Turks are evident in the handicrafts and cultural heritage of all Central Asian Turks, as well as other Turkic tribes.

Over time, all Turks have decorated the Akça Pine Tree, the symbol of immortality and the tree from which all humans descended according to Turkish mythology. They have played various traditional games under it, sung songs accompanied by the kopuz, and organized celebrations.

This tradition is also known to have its origins in the Central Asian Turks. It is believed that the tradition passed from the Turks to the Sumerians, who migrated to Mesopotamia for various reasons, and then, via Anatolia, to Ancient Rome, where it has survived to this day, forming the basis of the modern New Year's Day on January 1st.

It is also synonymous with the Turkish festivals of Paktıgan and Koçagan. Tatars call this holiday "Koyash Tuğa", that is, "Sun Rising Day", Bashkirs, Udmurts "Nardugan" or "Mardugan", Mishar Tatars "Rashtua", Chuvashs "Nartavan" or "Nartukan", Zirizyas "Nardava", Mokshas. They call it

«Nardvan».

[2] Ulukayın is the Tree of Life in Turkic mythology, folk belief and shamanism. It is the tree of life that connects the earth and the sky.

Its meaning and importance It was erected by Kayra. It was created with the world. It is in the very center of the Earth, underground and sky. Its branches hold up the sky. Its roots pierce all layers of the Earth and extend into the subterranean ocean. The Öksökö bird spins around and flies, sometimes landing on its top. The nine tribes (nine tribes of the Turks or the nine great human races on Earth) are derived from the nine branches of this tree. Umay Ana is the owner of the Tree of Life and uses this tree while descending to the Earth. Kübey Hanım lives in this tree. Its roots go underground and its branches reach the sky. From its roots flows the water of life (Bengüsu). Each branch is described as having seventy leaves of gold. Its leaves are the size of a horse's skin. It has a very important place in Turkish mythology. It pierces the skies and rises to unknown heights. One of Ulukayın's branches extends to the Sun and the other to the Moon. Ülgen sits on its hill. It is sometimes considered a pine tree. There is the Moon on one side of the tree and the Sun on the other. Sometimes it is accepted that Demirdağ stood on it. Eight shadows are referred to as nine roots. People's souls fly between the branches of this tree. These spirits are like little birds. The tree that Osman I, the founder of the Ottomans, saw in his dream and that would grow and cover the whole world, resembles Ulukayın. Making a wish by tying cloth (ragut) to the tree also seems to be related to Ulukayın. Its resin, called ilge, gives great power to those who eat it. With the influence of Manichaeism, the Tree of Death, which is the opposite of the Tree of Life, also entered Turkish culture, but it did not become widespread. It is sometimes referred to as two trees from the same root, which is also appropriate with its two peaks, Mount World.

Çalama means tying a rag to an object or entity that is considered sacred in Turkish folk belief. It is the application of tying cloth and rag to trees. The action taken is called Çalama. Ulukayın is related to his faith. The word leavening is expressed with the verb to steal in Turkish. In this context, it can be perceived as the fermentation of a thought, a wish to a holy place. The tying of ribbons to sacrificial rams is also related to this understanding. Islam strictly forbids such approaches. It is also used with the verb to steal (to tie rags). One of the meanings of the word stealing is to cut the fabric. It may also be related to the concept of Yal/Al.

Turuğ is the tree for Shamans in folklore. When Qurmusta Tengri created the first shaman, he planted an eight-branched tree in front of his house. That's why every shaman plants a tree that represents him. This tree is called "Turuğ". Turug literally means durable, standing in place, immortal. The words Tör / Törü / Türe / Törö / Turo / Turu contain the meanings of order, order, as well as marriage and birth in folk belief.

Serge, holy pole in Turkic folk culture and mythology. Also called Sergey or Sergen. A pole for tying horses. It is believed that this pillar has its guardian spirit (iye). Apart from the general exhibitions, there are special Horse Exhibitions erected in the courtyard. Only the bride's horse can be tied to the Kiyi Serge / Bride Sergeni. In addition, there are special exhibitions erected on great holidays. There are also three or nine exhibitions in order to receive the spiritual support of the spirits of the earth and water. There is also a serge erected for cows, and a horse is not tied to it. Serges are decorated with trees and ornaments made of manes. A wooden horse head symbol is placed on the head of the sergeant. In some tales, the underground is equated with the Golden Pillar that connects the Earth and the sky. It represents wealth, prestige and power. Heroes connect his horse to the ground part, Erlik to the underground part, and Ülgen to the sky part. The word is connected with the word Pole. It comes from the verb to lay.

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The tree of life is found in Central Asian Turkish mythology. Its elements symbolize the “rebirth, growth and development of the Turkic peoples.” It is also to be found in shamanism, in which the tree provides a ladder for the shamans to use, ascending and descending between the spirit world and the underworld. The wood of the sacred tree is what is said to be what was used to form the shaman’s drum, an integral part of the materials used in performances of rituals and sacred rites. The beech tree seems to have been the tree that was worshipped right up to recent times. Sacrifices would even be made to it, according to Abdülkadir İnan in his book on shamanism.

In the 17th century, Ottoman travel writer Evliya Çelebi talks about the various beliefs of the peoples living in the northern Caucasus region. He notes that once a year the people would gather and light candles around the tree and perform a rite. This tree grew from a piece of the Tuba tree and had been sent to Alexander from God by means of the angel Gabriel. In particular Çelebi identified the Nogay tribe as perpetuating this custom, even though they had become Muslims.

Such a shamanistic practice as tree worship makes the legendary dream of Osman Gazi, the founder of the Ottoman dynasty even more interesting. Osman had a dream in which he saw the famous Ahi Şeyh Edebali so he went to the şeyh and explained how he had seen him in his dream. “’A moon appeared in your breast. It rose, rose and then descended into my breast. From my navel there sprang a tree. It grew and branched out so much, that the shadow of its branches covered the whole world. What does my dream mean?’

“After a brief silence, Edebali interpreted:

“’Congratulations, Osman! God Almighty bestowed sovereignty upon you and your generation. My daughter will be your wife, and the whole world will be under the protection of your children.’”

One suspects that Ahi Şeyh Edebali knew about the world tree or tree of life.

The tree of life – an enduring symbol

Certainly the tree of life continued as a motif because of its deep religious significance. In “Turkish Flat Weaves,” the authors point to Yörük and Turkmen nomads who use the tree to represent the axis of the world in their kilim designs. The kilims from the Thracian area, sometimes known as Şarköy kilims, have this motif as their center decoration. The authors also note that the tree of life is often found in prayer kilims, as well as in border meanders.

From Ireland across northern Europe throughout Central Asia and North America, the mythology of the world tree or tree of life spread.

As so often happens, some of the oldest accounts of the sacred tree come down to us from Babylonia and have been dated to 3,000 – 4,000 BC. The Babylonian tree was at the center of the universe at the mouth of the Euphrates River. The roots of the tree extended into the waters of the abyss which was guarded by Ea, the god of wisdom, who produced the water necessary for agriculture in the land between the two rivers. The leaves of the tree were where the goddess of the heavens resided and the trunk held the earth goddess and her son.

The tree of life appears several times in the Old Testament of the Bible. It is one of two trees that stand in Paradise; however, the other one, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, achieved greater prominence as time went on.

Persian mythology, prior to Islam, centered around a large, sacred tree which bore all the seeds necessary for trees to grow on earth. Ahriman who was the source of all of the evil in the world sent a frog to invade the tree and destroy it. To guard the tree, the god Ahura Mazda, who represented all that was good, including life, created two fish to continually stare at the frog, always ready to stop it. A different Iranian myth, that of Mashy and Mashyane, tells of two trees who were the ancestors of all living beings.

The ancient Egyptians had a somewhat different way of looking at the tree. Their sacred tree was a sycamore that stood on the threshold of life and death and connected the two, rather than a tree that connected the heavens with the earth and then the underworld. The acacia tree is said to have produced Isis and Osiris, the prominent Egyptian god and goddess; the acacia enclosed life and death. It’s not clear whether the sycamore and the acacia tree have been confused and, if so, how, since they are very different trees.

The ancient Armenians saw the tree of life as a religious symbol and one that most likely was used to protect people in times of conflict. The tree would be drawn on fortress walls and on the armor worn by soldiers, the tree’s branches extended in equal numbers to the left and right of the trunk. Each branch had one leaf and the tree itself was topped with a single leaf. Human figures, possibly servants, stood next to the tree.

Chinese mythology contains legends about the tree of life, sometimes incorporating a phoenix (death and resurrection) and a dragon (immortality). These legends were also interpreted in artistic form, such as carvings and ceramics. Archaeological discoveries made in the last century in Sichuan, China, included three bronze trees (about 1,200 BC) and a ceramic tree with coins and topped by a bird with coins.