This number is one of the most revealing in the world and Turkic culture, which is actively manifested in ritual culture and folklore. For example, this number is often mentioned in the Bible (40 years of the Jewish wandering in the desert, 40 days of Jesus’ stay on earth, etc.); most Hindu prayers contain 40 Schloks (couplets).
Among the Kazakhs – the ceremony of the forty days of the child (balany qyrqynan shygaru), as well as one of the dates in the funeral ritual of the Kazakhs. Up to forty days the child is considered “unprotected” from the harmful influence of evil spirits, so this ritual is of great importance for the baby – he first cut his nails, hair, make ritual bath, and then with a rich dastarhan for the participants of the ceremony.
In the funeral ritual – forty days is also considered an important part. Among Kazakhs, it is believed that the soul of the deceased leaves after 40 years. The number in these cases symbolizes the special distinction between the worlds (material and immaterial).
The symbolization of this number in Kazakh culture is indicated by the stable expressions and sayings with the component qyryq: “Zhaqsy atanyñ aruağy qyryq zhyl süireidi”, which in semantic translation means “the spirit of the father/old man protects 40 years”.
