The Mongols are an ethnic group that lived in Central Asia for thousands of years before migrating to China in the 12th century CE. They were one of many nomadic tribes who had a polytheistic religion called Tengriism, which believed in a divine creator god named Tengri who governed all aspects of life including sex. This article will discuss how Tengriist religion influenced the way Mongol people thought about and practiced sex through its cosmic principles.
Cosmology
Tengriism was based on the belief that everything in the universe is connected through a series of interconnected rings called the "wheel of time." The center ring represents the highest level of spiritual perfection, while the outermost ring represents the most corruptible material reality. Sexual behavior was seen as part of this cosmos, and it was believed that proper sexual conduct could help keep the wheel in balance and maintain harmony between gods and humans.
In order to understand how Tengriist cosmology regulated sexual behavior, we must look at the different levels of the wheel. At the highest level, there was a divine realm where Tengri resided along with other lesser gods. These gods represented various natural phenomena such as fire, water, earth, wind, and sky. Below them were human beings, who existed in the middle level of the wheel.
At the bottom level, were animals, plants, and minerals. According to Tengriist philosophy, each level had its own rules regarding sexual conduct that should not be violated.
At the highest level, the gods were supposed to remain celibate and avoid contact with humans or animals in order to preserve their purity. Human beings were allowed to have sex within marriage but only for procreation purposes and without excessive pleasure-seeking. Animals could mate freely but were discouraged from mating with humans or engaging in practices like bestiality. This belief system emphasized that all life forms had their place in the cosmic hierarchy and that disruption would lead to imbalance and chaos.
Gender Roles
Within Tengriism, men and women had specific roles assigned by gender based on their position on the wheel of time. Men were considered more powerful than women because they were closer to heavenly forces while women were associated with earthly matters. As such, men were responsible for protecting and providing for their families while women were expected to care for the home and raise children. Marriage was seen as an agreement between two families rather than two individuals, and divorce was rare due to the high social stigma attached to it.
Women were also expected to maintain modesty and chastity until marriage, whereas men were free to enjoy sexual relationships outside of wedlock.
This did not mean that men were free to do whatever they wanted since there were still restrictions on promiscuity and public displays of lustful behavior. Sexual relationships among unmarried people were tolerated but considered less desirable than those between married couples.
Adultery was punishable by death for both parties involved.
Sexual Practices
Tengriist cosmology also influenced sexual practices among the Mongol people.
Some rituals required partners to face each other in certain directions during intercourse in order to align themselves with the natural elements. Others mandated that couples avoid mating during certain times of day or month according to astrological patterns. Sexual positions were regulated to ensure that procreation took place without distortion of the cosmic balance, and contraceptives were frowned upon because they interfered with natural conception.
Divorcees could remarry easily since marriage was viewed primarily as a means of continuing family lineages rather than as an expression of personal love. Same-sex relationships were considered taboo and those who engaged in them risked social ostracization. Similarly, incest was prohibited under most circumstances since it violated the natural order of things.
Tengriism shaped the way the Mongols thought about sex through its complex cosmological principles. The belief system emphasized harmony within the universe and encouraged responsible sexual conduct that maintained balance between different levels of life forms. While some aspects of this philosophy seem outdated today, it is interesting to see how ancient religions can influence modern societies even when they are no longer practiced openly.
How did Turkic Tengriist religion regulate sexual behavior through cosmological principles?
According to Turkic Tengriism, sexuality was regarded as sacred and intimate between man and woman, but it also had strong implications of control over fertility and procreation that were essential for maintaining order and balance within nature. The belief was that sex should be used for reproductive purposes only and not just pleasure or gratification.