Tengri

Tengri is a term from Turkic and Mongolic languages that means "sky" or "heaven" and is also the name of the supreme deity in traditional Central Asian belief systems. In many source traditions, Tengri is both the sky itself and the god who presides over the cosmos, justice, and the fate of people.

In Tengriism or Tengrism, Tengri is considered the ruler of the universe and the source of order. The god’s will is believed to be manifested in nature, weather, and the fortunes of individuals and tribes. Rulers often claimed authority as having Tengri’s sanction, and shamans, priests, or other mediators conduct rites to honor Tengri, seek guidance, and appease other spirits associated with mountains, rivers, and ancestors.

Historical evidence for the central role of Tengri appears in early Turkic and Mongolic sources, including the Orkhon inscriptions, where Tengri is described as the heavenly power who grants life and legitimizes rulers. Over time, the prominence of Tengri declined in the wake of the spread of Islam and Buddhism across the region, as well as later secular and nationalist changes.

In the modern era, Tengri has experienced revival in some Turkic and Mongolic communities. Contemporary usage often frames Tengriism or Tengrism as a spiritual or cultural revival rather than a single organized religion, emphasizing sky worship, veneration of nature, and shamanic tradition as aspects of cultural heritage and identity.