Özet:

To continue their existence on Earth and to satisfy their basic needs such as eating, drinking and having a shelter, humanity has looked for many solutions and in the ages when there was no modern technology or in rural places that has no contact with the technological advances, humans have practiced various religious and magical rituals and had various faiths. The aim of this study is to examine the beliefs and practices that have been focused on soil, fertility and hands that have been developed to bring fertility of the Earth to humans' prey, relatives and soil. The life energy of the hand as a vital organ and its relationship with fertility and abundance is the starting point in analysing these beliefs and practices. The symbol of the hands, which has been encountered both on the walls of caves and temples are elements used to bring fertility and abundance since the prehistoric ages. This study emphasizes the fact that the symbol for the hands, which have always been related to the female, are found in many beliefs and practices with the image of the sacred female, related to the earth. Another important aspect of this study is the beliefs and practices, related to farming which is believed to be the focus of the hands’ being sacred to their bringing fertility. These beliefs and practices, encountered in long periods of time, starting from placing the seed and ending in the harvest period, which is celebrated, are analyzed in this study.

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