Mythological Number Seven In Turkmen Culture

Abstract

Numbers are the symbolic codes of mythology. They carry the mysteries of archaic beliefs and traditional life from past to present. Seven appears in all works of folk literature. The number seven is one of these special numbers. There is information about seven in all societies, beliefs and cultures around the world. People make use of the number seven to explain the creation of the universe, the sky, heaven and hell, etc. Seven is the number of nursery rhymes. Many societies do not perform important rituals without repeating them seven times. Among Turkic peoples, seven is very important for Turkmens. In Turkmen mythology, seven is very special. It stands out more than numbers like three, five, nine and forty. Seven is present in all traditions from birth to death. In child rituals, marriage and death, the number seven is present as a formula. With this formula, the message is emphasized. People understand situations, behaviors and names better with seven repetitions. Seven is found as a stylistic number in fairy tales, epics and legends. In Turkmen society, there are even sevens explaining positive and negative situations and behaviors. These sevens bear the traces of mythology and cultural identity. Many Turkmen rituals are not complete without being performed seven times. This article first provides general information about the number seven. Then examples of seven in Turkmen culture, folk literature and beliefs are given. In these sevens, family, lineage, badly behaved women, and traditions of entertaining good guests are included. Finally, examples of the number seven, which has mythological roots in Turkmen culture, are evaluated. It is stated that they are soci­ological, religious and cultural codes.