Mongolia is a country in East Asia that shares its northern border with Russia and its southern border with China. It is called a landlocked country because its territory doesn't connect to a body of water. With a population of 3.3 million people, it is the largest landlocked country that doesn't border a closed sea. The capital and largest city of Mongolia is Ulaanbaatar, where it is home to half of the country's population. The national language is Mongolian.

✧✦✧

Before we begin, it should be noted that Mongolian and Turkic mythology share many of the same gods and beliefs as Mongolian ancestry traces to Central Asia.

DEITIES

Tengri: considered the greatest god in the Mongolian pantheon. He is the god who created all things and father to all. He is also known as the leader of the gods, the skies, and the bringer of death. Between the 6th and 8th centuries, Mongolian rulers believed they were sons of Tengri because he allowed them to rule.

One of Tengri's forms is Daichi Tengri, the red god of war. Soldiers would offer sacrifices to Daichi to gain his favor ahead of battle.

Erlik Khan: the god of death and the underworld. He  is often represented by a totemic bear, but has also been described as having a human body and the face of a pig. He participated in the creation of mankind, but his pride led him to banishment to the underworld. It is said that when sickness appears in a village, he must be given sacrifices humbly as he is often the cause of that sickness.

Bai-Ülgen or Ülgen: a creator god who is sometimes seen as the same being as Tengri and sometimes not. He represents goodness and abundance, an opposite to Erlik. He is also considered the patron of the shamans and protector of humanity.

Atugan / Etugen / Ötüken: the virgin earth goddess who is considered the source of all life. It is said that one can determine her mood by observing the condition of trees. If they were healthy and bore fruit, she was pleased with humans and wouldn't punish them. If they were dying, one could expect to receive her wrath.

Od / Od Iyesi / Od Ana: the goddess of fire. She is often referred to as the 'queen of fire' or the 'fire mother' because she was born during the creation of the world, when the sky was separated from the earth.

Od Khan / Od Ata: the male form of Od, who is often depicted as a red-colored man riding a goat.

Tung-ak: the patron god of Mongolian tribal chiefs.

Manzasiri Kalmyk: a primaeval god whose body formed either the Mongolian people, or the Mongol lands.

Indra: the god of sun and light.

✧✦✧

MYTHICAL CREATURES, GHOSTS, AND SPIRITS

Ajarai Buhe: the spirit of the Lena River. People make offerings to her for blessings and protection.

Almas: some believe it is a hairy and huge demon, similar to the Yeti or Bigfoot, while others think it's a witch with only one leg, one hand, and one eye.

Barisaa: a powerful prayer tree brings peace and reduces violence by calming people and giving them peaceful thoughts. The Barisaa could also give people inspiration. Barisaa come into being when shamans perform the ariulga, a ritual to cleanse the tree and people of evil spirits.

Bayan Ahaa / Bayan Hangai: a spirit who rules over the forest, and whom the hunters pray to for success. People are careful not to throw things into the woods as this might insult the Bayan Ahaa and cause him to curse the person.

Burkhan: a powerful spirit which most shamans can't control but can be negotiated with to leave people alone when they cause illness.

Chotgor: spirits that cause illness. Some are spirits of the dead who couldn't find their way to the underworld.

Endur: spirits of the sky, who are considered the strongest of all spirits.

Gazriin Ezen: spirits of a place, which include mountains, water, rocks, villages, buildings, nations, trees, and so on. Many were once souls of humans. For most, they don't remember ever being human.

Golomt Eej: spirit of fire.

Loon: a spirit of water and  sky, who are believed to be the mediators between worlds.

Suld / Usen Fayenga: an ancestral spirit that protects their descendants. They typically live in natural places like trees, springs, and rocks.

Usan Khan / Uha Loson: spirit of the lord of the water.

•✦──────✧✦✧──────✦•

Did you find this interesting? Please let us know in the comments!