The Turkic Concept of Time: Calendars, Celebrations, and Cycles

Time is not merely the passing of moments —it is a reflection of how a people connect with nature, belief, and life itself.In Turkic tradition, time is not linear, but cyclical.It doesn't lead from a beginning to an end,it flows in an eternal circle.

The rising sun, the waxing moon,the arrival of spring, the retreat of winter...Everything follows a sacred rhythm.

The Calendar: The 12-Animal Turkic Zodiac

The oldest known calendar of the Turks is the 12-Animal Turkic Calendar.

• Each year is represented by an animal: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig.

• It operates on a 12-year cycle, with each year believed to carry a unique energy or character.

• It is solar-based rather than lunar.

This calendar wasn’t just for marking dates —it was used for astrology, character reading, and cultural orientation.

Celebrations: Harmony, Renewal, and Spiritual Cleansing

Festivals were not just social events,but acts of spiritual renewal and respect for nature’s cycles.

Nevruz (March 21):

• Marks the beginning of spring, the new year, and spiritual rebirth.

• Fire-jumping, earth-touching, and water rituals symbolized physical and emotional purification.

New Year Transitions:

• The shift from one year to the next was celebrated with prayers to ancestors,shamanic rituals, and community gatherings (toys).

These events reflected the Turkic belief in constant renewal.

Cyclical Time: The Beginning and End Are One

In Turkic cosmology, time is circular, not linear.

• Death is not an end, but the start of another existence.

• Winter is not a death, but a preparation for rebirth.

• Night is not emptiness, but a womb for dawn.

This worldview influenced all aspects of life:

• Balbals (grave markers) signaled the soul’s continued journey.

• Toys (gatherings) preserved memories and shaped futures.

Time was not a straight path,but a sacred wheel.

Observing the Sky: Time’s Divine Reflection

Since the Göktürk period, the sky and stars were used to track time and set sacred dates.

• Shamans read the heavens to determine auspicious days.

• Eclipses and solar shifts were seen as divine messages.

Time was not just observed —it was revered.

Final Word: Time as Guidance, Not Just Measure

For the Turks, time was not something to escape,but something to understand, celebrate, and align with.

At Otağ-ı Türk, we believe:A culture that flows with nature’s rhythm —not against it —stays balanced in both body and soul.