Ülgen

Accounts in the surveyed summaries present variant traditions. In many treatments Ülgen is described as an eternal being, "without either beginning or end." In some accounts he is said to be created from Kayra (Tengere Kayra Khan); in other registers he stands as the highest deity after Tengri or is sometimes identified with Tengri. These alternatives are recorded in the source material as differing or overlapping conceptions rather than a single uniform origin narrative.

The available sources do not give a detailed anthropomorphic description. Mythic placement and dwelling are prominent: Bai-Ülgen is said to live on the sixteenth floor of the sky, above the sun, moon and stars, in a golden house. He is associated with the Ulukayın (the cosmic axis between earth and sky) and with the horse, both of which are sacred to him. Ordinary humans may not reach him; only shamans (kams) with astral powers can attempt ascent to his realm.

Ülgen is credited with creative acts (making earth, heaven and all living beings, creating land for people to live on, the heads of humans and animals, and the rainbow), with control over atmospheric events and movements of stars, and with promoting goodness, welfare and abundance (food, water). He is described as patron and source of shamanic knowledge, protector of humankind against the opposing power Erlik, and a recipient of sacrificial worship (notably horse sacrifice). Shamans may attempt an astral ascent to learn impending dangers such as bad harvests if their offering is accepted.