Image Details

Twelve identical gods bearing sickles march in a procession down the eastern side gallery of Yazilikaya (Chamber B). An identical group marches along the northwest wall (Chamber A). These sickle bearing gods seem to be associated with an underworld cult. Their exact significance is unknown.

The artistic convention for depicting movement is clearly seen in this relief: Each god is balanced on one leg, as if in midstep, the outer leg bent back in readiness for the next step forward. When the artist wished to depict his subject standing still, he would plant both the subject’s feet firmly on the ground (compare, for example, the relief of the sun god).