Metaphors are frequently used to determine perspectives and perceptions about concepts and to reveal elements lying in the subconscious. Epics are a genre that stands out with their national characteristics and reflect the common consciousness of the nation. The aim of the research is to determine the metaphorical perceptions of 8th grade students on national motifs in epics. Phenomenology, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study in question. Three more motifs were added to the national motifs in epics within the Curriculum of Our Tales and Epics Course, and the motifs of dream, light, horse, tree, number, arrow, bow, mountain, wolf and water were determined. The 10-step fill-in-the-blank form prepared by the researchers was applied to 157 students studying at the 8th grade level in the Cizre district of Şırnak province. Content analysis was performed on the obtained data and similar data were divided into categories. The 10 metaphors that students most frequently created regarding motifs were listed. As a result of the research; it was determined that the metaphors of seeing the future, guiding, power, life, mathematics, weapon, courage and life were prominent.

Epic, national motif, metaphor, perception, 8th grade students.