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Umay

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Umay is a goddess in Turkic mythology and Tengrism. She is a goddess of fertility. This means she is linked to life and growth. She is very close to women, mothers, and children. Many believe she lives in heaven. She stays invisible to most people on earth.

Umay has many special jobs to do. She protects and teaches babies. She also helps souls move on after death. This is especially true for young children. Some say she keeps baby souls in a temple. This temple is on Mount Ymay-tas, or Amay.

History shows us that people have honored Umay for a long time. Her name appears in the 8th century Kul Tigin inscription. This is one of the oldest pieces of evidence. In those days, she was seen as a mother and a guide. Even the wives of khagans were seen as Umays. They helped have babies to keep the empire strong.

There are many interesting facts about her. Her name might come from words for a womb or placenta. In Mongolian, the word for Umay means womb. She is also linked to the sun. People call her Sarı Kız, which means Yellow Maiden. Her color is yellow. She is often shown with sixty golden hairs. These hairs look like sun rays.

People look for signs of Umay every day. A smiling baby might mean she is near. A crying baby might mean she has left. If she stays away, a child might get sick. Then, shamans might try to call her back. Umay also brings luck and food to whole communities. Some people even use her name today. Umay is a name for girls in Turkey.

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