Parallels in the solar myths of the Turks, Mongolian peoples and Eastern Finno-Ugric peoples

Abstract

The subject of this study is parallels in the solar myths of the Turks, Mongolian peoples and Eastern Finno-Ugric peoples. This article is a continuation of a previously published article devoted to the review and analysis of lunar motives in the beliefs of these ethnic groups. As in the previous work, the authors attempted, based on a comparative analysis of mythological images and plots, and specifically solar myths, to provide additional arguments in favor of confirming V.V. Napolsky's hypothesis about the existence of a special North Asian community of mythologies of the peoples of Northern Eurasia. Based on the conducted review analysis, based on the research scientists, the authors came to the following conclusions. Firstly, among the Turks, Mongolian peoples and eastern Finno-Ugric peoples, solar myths retain a number of common archaic features: the insignificant role of the sun compared to the role of the moon in some beliefs and rituals, the idea of ancient, several suns. Secondly, as it was already pointed out in the previous article, the mythologeme about the emergence of the sun from water acts as a characteristic Ural-Altai element. Images of the sun in the form of a man, an animal, an eye, a monster, and a predominantly female character should also be attributed to the category of ancient features in the solar myths of these peoples. Thirdly, the Turks, the Mongolian peoples and the eastern Finno-Ugrians already have a noticeable rise in the role of the sun, the cult of the "sun king", which is associated with the change of matriarchy to patriarchy, the transition to agriculture and cattle breeding. Thus, new arguments were obtained in favor of V.V. Napolsky's assumption about the existence of a North Asian mythological union.