The veneration of water sources, especially rivers, is characteristic of many cultures around the world and is widespread across different regions. In mythology, water is often depicted as a path connecting the three realms of the universe—the Upper, Middle, and Lower worlds. Examples include the rivers Styx (or Acheron) in ancient Greek mythology and Vaitarani in Indian mythology. The flowing nature of water was seen as a symbol of instability and changeability and, in higher magical practices, was associated with the physical passage of shamans into other realms—the underworld or the upper world.

As guides for shamans, animals and birds directly associated with the water element often appear: among Kazakhs, Altaians, and other peoples these include the loon, swan, and duck. These meanings are also reflected in the naming of springs among Kazakhs: underground sources are called Karasu, while rivers originating from glaciers are called Aksu. Here, the black color of water is associated with the underworld, while the white color is linked to the upper world.