ANTİK MİTLERDE KOZMİK DÜZEN DÖNGÜSÜ VE EJDERHA MOTİFİ
COSMIC ORDER CYCLE AND DRAGON MOTIF IN ANCIENT MYTHOLOGIES

Summary/Abstract: The cosmic order cycles depicted / narrated in ancient mythologies offer an important structure where significant social meaning can be deduced. These cycles represent the fundamental periods in human life - birth, death, and rebirth. They help societies in which they are produced understand humans' interaction with nature and the maintenance of the universal order. The journeys heroes undergo in the mythological narratives symbolize not only their individual victories but also the preservation of societal order. As a result of these journeys, societies gain an insight about discovering their own identities and maintaining their cultural values. The heroes' struggles against chaos create a safe haven for the social structure and order, providing cultural security. In mythological narratives, dragons emerge as symbols of chaos and evil. Often depicted as gigantic, supernatural beings, dragons pose a threat to the cosmic order. These figures represent destruction and calamity, and are viewed as the personification of forces that disrupt the cosmic balance. However, the slaying of the dragon signifies not only the hero's victory but also the restoration of cosmic order. This victory stands for the re-establishment of balance in the universe, meaning the establishment of order after a period of chaos, which is an integral part of the cycle. This study aims to examine the struggle between the dragon, one of the oldest and most powerful symbols in ancient mythologies, and the hero of cosmic order, in the social context. The defeat of the dragon is viewed as a symbol not only of a physical battle but also of the effort to restore universal balance. The following conclusions were reached in our study: The dragon figure emerges as a universal symbol of chaos and destruction across different cultures. Dragon-slaying myths, through rituals and stories, strengthen the collective consciousness of society and unite individuals around a common purpose. The hero's victory resulting from the defeat of the dragon signifies the preservation of societal values and collective identity. This, in turn, unites individuals around a shared purpose against evil forces.

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