Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Communication hosted Lecturer Mehmet Süha Sarıoğlu from Istanbul Kültür University, Department of International Relations, as a guest for its program “People, Art, and Rituals in the Context of Popular Culture.” The program, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Feride Zeynep Güder, Head of Üsküdar University Department of New Media and Communication, discussed people, art, and rituals under the umbrella of popular culture.
“Flowers hold many meanings in the memory of the people”
Mehmet Süha Sarıoğlu stated that a wealth of knowledge is needed for mythology. Sarıoğlu said; “Flowers, which are the adornment of mythology, hold many meanings in the memory of the people. The most dominant of these meanings are religious ones. In places like Greece and Egypt, trees hold a very important place in mythology. The fate of a person who cuts down a tree can even lead to death.”
“The culture of the people is popular culture”
Sarıoğlu said; “The culture of the people is popular culture; let's not confuse it with elitist and avant-garde culture. It is an avant-garde approach for some part of society to prefer sushi, which is not found in our culture, in our country's cuisine and to adopt raw fish.”
“Red leaves symbolize shyness”
Sarıoğlu, referring to the mythological meanings of flowers, stated that the two separate green leaves found in the hyacinth flower are Apollo's tears and that these hyacinths are sold quite expensively. Sarıoğlu said; “When you put a hyacinth flower in a vase, it immediately withers and fades, but when you put it in the sun, it spreads a delightful fragrance. Another flower, the anemone, holds an important place for the Ottoman Empire. This flower turns into rat poison and becomes a very powerful toxin. The peony flower, on the other hand, symbolizes shyness. The redness in its leaves indicates embarrassment about a certain matter.”
“Even Alexander the Great went”
Mehmet Süha Sarıoğlu stated that sorcerers have existed since ancient times, saying, “Egyptian magic is very famous. Besides sorcerers, there are also soothsayers. Even Alexander the Great would go to soothsayers and ask questions. All these memorates are found everywhere. I strongly recommend Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı’s books, 'Anadolu Tanrıları' (Anatolian Gods) and 'Halikarnas Balıkçısı' (The Fisherman of Halicarnassus). The author clearly demonstrates his interest in memorates in the book.”