The opening at the top of a Kazakh yurt is called a Shangiraq. It functions by holding the yurt together, but also symbolizes the hearth of the home and the wheel of the sun. Share this:TweetEmailWhatsAppPocketShare on TumblrMorePrintLike this:Like Loading... Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. Shangiraq The opening at the top of a Kazakh yurt is called a Shangiraq. The circle represents the circle of life and the cross marks the cardinal points.