Reflection of myth and Anatolian legends on ceramic body and surface

The legend of the Shahmaran, a creature both feared and admired, is an ancient tale that features prominently in Turkish culture and has been told for centuries in Anatolia. It is observed that the figure of the snake or serpent is a common theme in most cultures and many myths throughout history have been depicted with characteristics resembling the Shahmaran. While mythical creatures in other cultures have been nurtured through art and promoted to the whole world, the Shahmaran, which originates from these lands still remains more or less unknown in the international arena. This study aims to raise the interest of the new generations in the myth to ensure it lives on into the future by softening the feared aspects of the Shahmaran, highlighting the messages underlying the myth as well as the unique characteristics of the figure and transforming the snake figure into a more aesthetic and modern form without ignoring its original form. To this end, myths involving snake themes have been investigated. The various versions of the Shahmaran legend have been examined, including the similarities and differences it bears to myths in other cultures. The films, plays, literary works, crafts, underglass paintings, paintings, sculptures and ceramic figures made in Turkey have been studied. The resulting findings have been interpreted from a contemporary standpoint and transformed into ceramic art. Keywords Serpent, Shahmaran, Art, Mythology, Ceramic, Myth