Winged animal symbolism in turkish art

In the Turkish Art, we can see the "winged animal" motifs m the arts of miniature, architecture, woven products, metal workings and wood carvings, These "winged animal" motifs may be as eagles, hawks, falcons, cocks, pigeons, cranes, swans and goose. The earliest motifs of "winged animals" which formed the first sample objects belongs to Huns take a very important place m Turkish life. Even in the old texts (like Orhun inscriptions) the soul of dead is symbolized by a bird motif. The religion of Turkish society before İslam Shamanism, had immense effect on Turkish Art, "Kams" who were the priest of Shamanism, during the worship wone costumes resembling birds and carried bird feathers on their costumes. Besides, in certain periods, Turkish tribes had certain animals who they recognized as their ancestors which they worshipped, they called these "Ongun" and "Tos", Many of these animals were birds. Following the acceptance of İslam by the Turks in tenth century, the "bird" motif kept its important place in the Turkish Art. This continuity is obvious evidence of the Shamanism and Totemic past of the Turkish Central-Asian living conditions, After the İslam, this tendency prevailed within certain heterodox surroundings and belief systems such as Bektashi beliefs and Bektashi Literature. In Bektashi beliefs and Bektashi Literature some higher rank religious leaders are believed to transform in for birds, (like Hacı Bektashi Veli). In the "winged animals" motifs founds in Turkish Art and life before and after İslam, the effect of daily life religious beliefs and mythologies are clearly seen. In Anatolia, this subject of "winged animals" motifs were extensively used in Seljuk Arts. Here again, the symbolism used does not show any significant difference from that of Central Asian arts. "Winged animals" motifs are also found in other civilizations arts. However, here the motifs are more realistic the Turkish an es where the are more stylized.