Bestiary · Slavic · New Year deity
Ovsen'
Also known as: Ovsen, Avsen, Usen, Tausen
A dim mythical figure of Great Russian New Year songs, whose coming marks the turn of the year.
Ovsen' (Avsen') is a mythical figure remembered only in Great Russian New Year songs, which greet his coming at the turn of the year, when the sun begins to return. Afanasyev sees in him a figure akin to Kolyada.