View source for Hortdan

{{Short description|Creature in Turkic mythology}}
{{Turkic mythology}}
In Turkic mythology, '''Hortdan''' ([[Azerbaijani language|Azerbaijani]]: ''Xortdan'', Turkish: ''Hortlak'', [[Tuvan language|Tuvan]]: ''Хортан'') is the troubled soul of the dead rising from the grave.<ref>Haqqında - [http://haqqinda.net/xortdan/ "Xortdan"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021143036/http://haqqinda.net/xortdan/ |date=2013-10-21 }}</ref> Some Hortdan can be living people with certain magical properties. Some of the properties of the Hortdan include: the ability to transform into an animal, invisibility, and the propensity to drain the vitality of victims via blood loss. Hortdans are also known as immortal [[vampires]].
==Origin==
The Hortdans (Khortdan) are creatures of [[Azerbaijani people|Azerbaijani]] [[mythology]], as a representation of evil spirits, the spirits of the dead. As these stories were transmitted only by [[oral tradition]], legend has lost its original substance, and [[Azerbaijani people]] have transformed Xortdan into bloodthirsty creatures.
Hortdans are fictional undead creatures regularly encountered in horror and fantasy themed narratives. They are typically depicted as mindless, reanimated corpses with a hunger for human flesh.
==Etymology==
The name Hortdan (or Hortlak) is related to the Turkic verb ''hortlamak'',<ref>Türk Mitolojisi Ansiklopedik Sözlük, Celal Beydili, Yurt Yayınevi (Page - 243)</ref> which in Turkish  means ''get out'' and especially ''get out of the grave''. In Azerbaijani language, the word 'khortlamaq" means get out of the bed or of the grave.
==Different types of Hortdan==
* '''Hortlak''' is the name of this creature in Turkish culture. And refers to a [[Zombie]]-like entity.
* '''Xortdan''' is in Azerbaijani folklore same of [[vampire]].
* '''Hortan''' (sometimes Аза-Хортан "Aza-Hortan") is a [[poltergeist]] like an evil spirit in Tuva tradition.
==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.kayipdunya.com/wp-content/uploads/kalins-pdf/singles/turk-mitolojisi-sozlugu-h-j.pdf Türk Mitoloji Sözlüğü, Pınar Karaca] (Hortlak)
* [http://turkoloji.cu.edu.tr/HALKBILIM/culpan_zaripova_cetin_tatar_turkleri_mitoloji.pdf Tatar Mitolojisinde Varlıklar, Çulpan Zaripova] (Hortlak)
* [http://www.yasarkalafat.info/dosyalar/kalafat20086487.pdf Rize ve Yöresinde Eski Türk İnançları, Yaşar Kalafat]
* [http://www.sosyalarastirmalar.com/cilt2/sayi9pdf/koksel_behiye.pdf Dinan-ı Lügat-it Türk'te Yer Alan Efsaneler, Behiye Köksel]
[[Category:Ghosts]]
[[Category:Turkic demons]]
[[Category:Mythological hematophages]]
[[Category:Vampires]]
[[Category:Undead]]