Erlik
deity underworld Tengrism corroborated · 3
God of death and the underworld, also known as Tamag.
↻ synthesized from 3 sources
When
- First attested
- 700 CE
- Attested period
- 700 – 2020
- Historical notes
- Mentioned in the Orkhon writings.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Ay Dede, Natigai, tngri, earth-spirits, Lord-Spirits, Protector-Spirits, Guardian-Spirits, Ülgan, od-iyeler, su-iyeler, Gök Tengri, Itugen, Umay, Mergen
- parent of
- Karash Khan, Matır Khan, Shingay Khan, Komur Khan, Badish Khan, Yabash Khan, Temir Khan, Uchar Khan, Kerey Khan, Karash Han, Matyr Han, Shyngay Han, Komur Han, Badysh Han, Yabash Han, Temir Han, Uchar Han, Kerey Han
- enemy of
- Ülgen, Maidere/Maydere, Tengri
- child of
- Kayra
- creator of
- İye
- served by
- Black Shamans, kormos, İye
Mentioned by
Sources
Source passages
“Erlik is the god of death and the underworld, known as Tamag.”
#418 · extracted by claude-sonnet-4-6
“Erlik was worshiped in some traditional religions in Siberia and Central Asia, such as by Buryats. As Erlik is seen as the ruler of demons and the underworld, sacrifices are made for him to get rid of diseases or for the sake of people, who will enter the underworld after death.”
#13357 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“When Erlik desired to create a world on his own to fill it with his own people, Ülgen was ordered to throw Erlik and his servants out of the sky. A battle occurred and Erlik was injured and cast into the underworld”
#34730 · extracted by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5