In Turkish culture, the horse is not merely a means of transport; it is an ancient symbol intertwined with identity, freedom, power and destiny. Throughout the historical process stretching from the steppes of Central Asia to Anatolia, the horse has played a decisive role in the lives of the Turkish people; this strong bond is deeply reflected in both oral and written literature. In Turkish stories, the motif of the horse is often the hero's companion, partner in destiny, and even soul mate.
1. Cultural and Mythological Background
In Turkish mythology, the horse is a sacred creature. In Shamanism, the horse acts as a passage between the sky and the earth; it is thought of as a being that carries spirits and guides the way. This understanding remains alive in the narrative tradition that extends from epics to folk tales. The colour, speed, and endurance of the horse often carry symbolic meanings; for example, the white horse evokes purity and sanctity, while the chestnut horse evokes power and warrior spirit.
2. From Epic to Story: Heroism and Loyalty
In the Dede Korkut Stories, the horse is an inseparable part of the alp type. Bamsı Beyrek's horse is not just a mount; it is a being that shares his fate in battle, on journeys, and in separation. The horse's injury or death often carries a meaning equivalent to the breaking of the hero's power. In this respect, the horse is humanised in the stories; it is presented as a character with feelings and intuition.
3. The Horse in Folk Tales: Journey and Destiny
In folk tales, the horse is mostly a symbol of journey and quest. In tales of love, the horse is the means of reaching the beloved and overcoming obstacles, while also representing the progress towards destiny. The hero does not merely change location on horseback; he matures, is tested, and transforms. For this reason, the horse is one of the fundamental elements that carry the dramatic structure of the story.
4. The Horse Motif in Modern Turkish Stories
In modern Turkish stories, the horse motif retains its traditional meanings but takes on a more symbolic and critical dimension. Especially in village and rural stories, the horse becomes a symbol of poverty, the struggle for labour, and lost values. The sale, death, or incapacitation of the horse often narrates the dissolution of the traditional way of life and the severing of man's connection with nature. In this context, the horse is a nostalgic memory and a symbol of a lost world.
5. The Relationship Between Horses and Humans: Emotional Depth
In Turkish stories, the relationship between horses and humans is not based solely on utility; it is emotional and existential. The horse is the silent confidant of its owner; it is described as a being that understands without words and guides with its intuition. In this respect, the motif of the horse reflects human loneliness, the need for attachment, and the deep relationship with nature.
Conclusion
The motif of the horse in Turkish stories is a powerful indicator of historical memory and cultural continuity. Spanning from epics to modern stories, this motif carries themes of heroism, loyalty, freedom, and loss.
In the Turkish narrative tradition, the horse continues to live on as a symbolic being that reflects the spirit and destiny of humans, beyond being their travelling companion.
Author Tuğrul İnci https://www.okuryazarkitaplar.com/turk-hikayelerinde-at/
