Mardin Müzesinde Bulunan Musul Zengi Atabegliği Sikkelerinde Koruyucu Melek (CIN) İmgesi
Image of Guardian Angel (Genie) on Coins of Mosul Zengid Atabegs, Included in Mardin Museum

Summary/Abstract: In pre-Islamic Turkish mythology, there is belief in existence of guardian genies which express the faith into secret natural powers, and such eudemons were called iye. Among the supernatural evil spirits, Erlik is the primary one, which brings every kind of evil, illness and death to people and which is composed of scary shaped creatures and demons. In Mesopotamian cultures, such imaginary creatures were believed to be winged creatures protecting the king. Assyrians had winged guardian demons with either human head or eagle head (griffon), which were called as apkallu. In Greek and Roman mythologies, non-physical concepts called as Psykheler were found, which were forest and water Nymphs. According to Islam, it is believed that there are follower angels acting with the order of Allah and protecting the person by moving with him/her. In Turkish-Islamic culture, demons and evil creatures have been formed with mixture of Turkish, Indian, Persian, Mesopotamian mythologies and Christian beliefs. On inscriptions belonging to Turks during Middle Age or following periods, especially on metal works, such imaginary creatures were depicted frequently. The objective of this study is to examine ten coins belonging to Mosul Zengid Atabeg Kutbeddin Mevdud and his son Seyfeddin Gazi II and included in Mardin Museum. Related coins constitute an interesting group with the image of guardian genie (or angel) image on them. It has been seen that usage of such kind of coins did not end upon death of Kutbedding Mevdud; his son Seyfeddin Gazi II continued to use them for a while.

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