TOPONYMY OF TURKISH PEOPLES: THE INFLUENCE OF BELIEFS, COLORS AND NUMBERS ON MODERN GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES OF THE TURKISH LANGUAGE

Abstract

Toponymy occupies a special place in onomastics, since geographical names carry a rich cultural and historical code. Toponyms are a mirror of social consciousness, and their structure often contains a reflection of beliefs, the symbolism of colors and numerical concepts, which is especially noticeable in Turkic languages. The process of naming geographical objects is not limited only to the influence of religious systems, particularly Islam, but reaches deeper layers of the worldview of Turkic peoples. The influence of religious beliefs, color symbolism, and numerical concepts can be traced in geographical names. For example, the word kara (black) in the toponyms Karadağ (Montenegro), Karadeniz (Black Sea), Karasu, Karaköy (Black Village), Karatau can have both literal and symbolic meanings, and the numerals 3, 5, 7, 40 are often found in the names of places Üçtepe (Three Hills), Beştepe (Five Hills), Kırkmezar (Forty Cemetery), reflecting traditional ideas. Although the study of toponymy in Turkic languages ​​has a long tradition, it has been formed as a separate discipline relatively recently. The study of geographical names not only allows us to trace changes in linguistic structures but also opens new perspectives for understanding historical processes. By studying the influence of religious beliefs, color symbolism, and numerical concepts on the formation of geographical names, it is possible to trace the evolution of linguistic processes and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples.