Umay
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| Umay | |
| Fertility and Virginity | |
| Abode | Sky |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Moon, Crescent |
| Parents | Gök Tanrı and Yer Tanrı |
| Siblings | Erlik Ülgen Koyash Ay Tanrı |
Umay is the goddess of fertility and virginity in Turkic mythology and Tengriism and as such related to women, mothers and children. Umay resembles earth-mother goddesses found in various other world religions. Literally in the Mongolian language, "eje" or "eej" means "mother." The earth was considered a "mother" symbolically.
In Turkic mythology, Umay is the female goddess whose name means placenta in ancient Turkish. However, it has been discussed whether she is a goddess or a spirit. According to researchers, she must be a spirit as a feature of Turkic mythology.
Umay is a protector of women and children. The oldest evidence is seen in Orkhon monuments. From these it is understood that Umay was accepted as a mother and a guide. Also, Khagans were thought to represent Kök Tengri. Khagan wives, katuns or hatuns, were considered Umays, too. With the help of the Umay, Katuns had babies and these babies were the guarantee of the empire. According to Divanü Lügat’it-Türk, when women worship Umay, they have male babies. Turkic women tie strings attached with small cradles to will a baby from Umay. This belief can be seen with the Tungusic peoples in Southern Siberia and the Altaic Turks. Umay is always depicted together with a child. There are only rare exceptions to this. It is believed that when Umay leaves a child for a long time, the child gets ill and shamans are involved to call Umay back. The smiling of a sleeping baby shows Umay is near it and crying means that Umay has left.
In the view of the Kyrgyz people, Umay does not only protect children, but also Turkic communities around the world. At the same time Umay helps people to supply more food, goods and give them luck.
As Umay is associated with the sun, she is called "Sarı Kız" and yellow is her colour and symbol.
Umay and Eje (Ece) are also used as female names in the Republic of Turkey.
[edit] See also
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