The Shaman as a mythological figure: From cultural and symbolic representation to digital illustration in the context of the cycle of life

Myths have had a profound influence on the beliefs, values, and cultural identities of communities since the dawn of humanity. At the same time, myths often feature heroes, gods, or supernatural beings to whom people can form emotional attachments. These connections allow individuals to empathize with the stories and engage with them emotionally, granting myths a significant place among the intangible cultural heritages of societies. In Turkish mythology, the Shaman is one of the most important of these figures. A Shaman is a person chosen by a god or gods, capable of communicating with spirits, forming a bridge between the human and spiritual worlds, healing illnesses, organizing rituals, and maintaining the spiritual balance of the community. The Shaman figure is typically recognized by specific garments and accessories, including feathers, bones, drums, and various symbols. Additionally, each Shaman is associated with a particular spirit animal that represents them. The visual symbols associated with Shamans emphasize their spiritual and supernatural powers. Indeed, every extraordinary event experienced during their lives is significant enough to become the subject of a mythological story. Furthermore, myths have played an important role in the fields of art and design. From past to present, mythological figures, symbols, and stories have been adapted and used in various creative disciplines such as fashion design, painting, graphic design, industrial product design, ceramics, and tile art. In this way, not only is the continuity of these intangible cultural heritages ensured, but their disappearance is also prevented. In this context, the visual representation and function of the shaman figure, which constitutes the universe of the study, have been examined in detail. As an output of the study, a series of contemporary illustration works have been prepared, depicting the role of a selected shaman, the phenomena experienced, and the influence on communities throughout the process from birth to death. Ultimately, this thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of the Shaman figure in Turkish mythology within the context of global myths and to highlight the commonalities and differences among spiritual leaders across various cultures.