Ülgen
Khakas · deity · Khakas traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Ülgen is the luminous creator-god of the upper world, architect of the cosmos and giver of fire and life to humankind, dwelling above the layered heavens. In Khakas belief he and his brother Erlik together shape the land, vegetation, mountains and waters, their light and dark natures holding the world in equilibrium rather than open war. Sources differ on whether Ülgen and the supreme god Khudai are separate deities or two names for the same creator, the two being invoked side by side in shaman prayers.
Domains
- creation
- upper world
Powers
- creates the earth and its features
- gives humanity fire and the means of life
Epithets
- Ах Ӱлген — White ÜlgenN. A. Alekseev, Shamanizm tiurkoiazychnykh narodov Sibiri (Novosibirsk, 1984) (secondary)
Relations
- sibling: Erlik KhanÜlgen of the upper world and Erlik of the underworld are brothers whose tension upholds the cosmic balance.V. A. Burnakov, 'Erlik Khan in the Traditional Worldview of the Khakas' (2011); Wikipedia, 'Erlik', 'Erlik is a brother of Ülgen' (secondary)
Sources
- Ülgen is the benevolent creator of the upper world and the brother of the underworld lord Erlik; among the Khakas he is closely identified with Khudai.: V. A. Burnakov, 'Erlik Khan in the Traditional Worldview of the Khakas', Archaeology, Ethnology and Anthropology of Eurasia 39/3 (2011) (secondary); Wikipedia, 'Bai-Ülgen' (Khakas: Ӱлген) (secondary)