Öz
Human has been under the influence of various beliefs and philosophical systems in the process of the beginning from past to present, and for this reason, as an effort to make sense of it, he has attributed various symbols to the living or inanimate beings around him. One of the subjects in which these interpretations are seen intensely has been animal symbolism. This symbolism, which is as deep-rooted as the animal shapes that primitive people drew in caves and is used even as a source of inspiration for technological tools today, has been an important part in illuminating the past of human life and shaping the future.
The Turks, who have existed on the stage of history for thousands of years and have appeared in various geographies, have had a deep cultural structure and have been able to preserve this structure permanently. In addition, Turks interacted with other nations in different geographies and made some cultural exchanges. By melting these cultural exchanges in their own pot, they created a rich and colorful Turkish culture in a syncretic structure.
In Turkish culture, animal symbolism is handled in important dimensions. Animal symbolism has permeated the traditions, proverbs and idioms of the Turks, in short of their lives, and in this respect, a deep animal symbolism has emerged in Turkish culture. On the other hand Alevi belief has preserved the symbolism of animals from past to present through various rituals and practices and has become one of the most important values that ensure the continuity of symbolism. In the study, the perception of animal symbolism in Alevi belief is discussed, based on the idiomatic poems of Kul Himmet, one of the Seven Great Bards that Alevi’s attribute a sacred quality.