Özet:

In this study, the meaning of the egg in various beliefs and rituals in Turkish folk culture and the functions it has undertaken in this context have been determined.1 In this study, which consists of the composition, classification and interpretation of the data obtained through observation, interview and document analysis, the aspects of the egg in Turkish and world myths and its signs in today’s Turkish peoples' traditional practices have also been scrutinized. Among these, such cultural dimensions as folk medicine, holy place visits, fertility ceremonies, special days and folk beliefs are remarkable. Thanks to its physical structure and content features the egg has preserved its place in many narratives and daily life-from the divine to the ordinary people- since mythical times. Both the appearance and the content of the egg are inspired and exploited to the maximum extent in Turkish folk culture, in folk medicine practices, in rituals during sacred site visits, in fertility ceremonies, on spring festivals such as Nowruz and Hidirellez, in folk beliefs such as magic, evil eye and fortune telling. The relationship of the egg with “fertility” and “renewal” is highlighted in all rituals that are practiced to achieve certain goals and it is set out towards sacred stories whose roots go back to mythical times. Therefore, all the rituals in which the egg is involved can be regarded as a kind of representation of primitive myths in modern times.

Anahtar Kelimeler: