10 historic facts about Astana: Baiterek (Samruk sacred bird legend)

7 July, 2014 10:33

All large world cities has their own hallmarks, their unique symbols. Astana is not an exception. The symbol of the Kazakhstan’s capital is crystal Baiterek.

The monument embodies the idea of the Kazakh people related to the structure of the universe. According to the legend, Baiterek is the tree of life, the destination of the sacred bird, Samruk.

The structure of the tower symbolizes the three pillars of creation - underground, terrestrial and celestial worlds. The height of the building is 97 meters he metal structure of the tower weighs over 1,000 tons and rests on 500 piles. The tower’s top is adorned with a huge ball of glass with the diameter of 22 meters, weighing 300 tons.

"Bajterek" expresses cosmogonic representations of ancient nomads under the legends of which the World River proceeds on the world’s junction. The Tree of Life— Bajterek towers on its coast, keeping the earth by the roots and propping up the sky by its crown. Roots of this tree, accordingly, are in the underground world, the tree itself, its trunk — in the terrestrial world, and its crown is in the heavenly world.

Every year in the Tree crown Samruk - the sacred bird - lays an egg — the Sun - which is swallowed by Ajdahar - the dragon - who lives at the foot of the Tree of Life. This legend symbolically means the alternation of summer and winter, day and night, Good and Harm struggle. "Bajterek" means a young, strong, growing tree that symbolizes the state which preserves its historical roots and have a strong support and the tendency to the future prosperity.

Indira Kaumetova

Photos by hooponopono.kz

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