The Eight-Cornered Hat of Elazığ in Anatolia: Origins Symbolism and Cultural Heritage

The Eight-Cornered Hat is a significant product that has emerged from the heart of Anatolia, representing an important cultural symbol of the city of Elazığ. It is actually a variation of the traditional farmer and villager caps known since ancient times. However, it differs in terms of its content and geometric structure. This hat carries historical features reminiscent of the past and has a meaning that extends back to the Seljuk period. The design of the hat, inspiration was drawn from the triangular and hexagonal geometric shapes of the Seljuks and Anatolian Seljuks periods. Each of the eight corners of the hat embodies important non-material, traditional concepts of our culture. This article compiles and examines the eight-cornered hat produced in the city of Elazığ, Turkey, from various perspectives. The purpose of the article is to examine the eight-cornered hat, an important part of local culture, in both its tangible and intangible aspects. In this context, it aims to explore the relationship between the eight-cornered hat and Anatolian architecture and culture. The study includes a literature review and utilizes the interview method. Within the scope of the article, the cultural values, human values, beliefs, and behavioral contexts represented by the geometric features of the traditional eight-cornered hat are identified.