EN
TR
ABOUT THE THREE-HORNED HEADGEAR AND ITS MEANING IN TURKISH CULTURE
Abstract
Clothing items are important elements of material culture that directly contribute to the illumination of Turkish cultural history and the revelation of its period characteristics. While fulfilling one of the most basic needs, they also provide important data on geographical and economic characteristics, craftsmanship, aesthetic taste, the world of beliefs, and the way society perceives life. Headwear, one of the clothing materials that may initially appear to be a minor detail, should also be evaluated from this perspective. It contains a rich cultural content and conveys information about a person's social and economic status and even their marital status. Among the headdresses that hold a significant place in the continuity of Turkish culture from Turkistan to Anatolia, the three-horned headdress type is particularly interesting. It is depicted in relatively limited areas, in similar compositions but on very different materials, including rock paintings, bone plates, stone sculptures, bronze coatings, and coins. While figures wearing three-horned headdresses are mostly depicted as female characters and associated with Umay, the fact that this headdress has also been found on male stone sculptures, or that it is not found in all Turkish regions where the Umay belief exists, creates a confusing situation. At this point, the three-horned headdress has raised many questions and sparked curiosity about its meaning. This study addresses questions such as: Was it a crown or a headdress? Was it exclusive to women, or did men also use it? What did it signify? What factors led to the widespread belief that it depicted Umay? The study focuses on the meanings of the three-horned headdress beyond its role as a garment.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
Turkish
Subjects
Turkish Cultural History
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Aslı Çandarlı
*
0000-0002-0076-0064
Türkiye
Publication Date
September 29, 2025
Submission Date
August 2, 2025
Acceptance Date
September 16, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 1970 Volume: 7 Number: 15