Apsat (alsoAvsati orÆfsatī;Georgian:აფსათი) is a maledeity ofbirds andanimals in themythology of thepeoples of the Caucasus.[1][2] His name may come from theAbkhaz language worda-psaatʷ, meaning "bird",[3] or possibly from the name of the Christian saint with whom he was popularly associated,Saint Eustathios; it should also be noted that inDigor,Æfsæ (cognate withIron:ефс) meanshorse, and his name would thus be colloquially understood to mean "of horses".[4][5][6] Some sources regard him as responsible for all huntedgame, while others consider him to watch over fish and birds specifically.[5] In some cycles, he is the primaryhunting god, while in others, he is part of apantheon of hunting deities.[7] A few sources connect him with thunder and lightning.[8]
TheSvan people ofGeorgia regard Apsat as one among apantheon of hunting deities, said to be assistants of the deityBer Shishvlish, the "Lord of the Bare Mountain".[9] To the Svan, Apsat is the patron of fish and birds. In this capacity, he works withDzhgyrag (the Svan name forSt. George), who is associated with hunters and wolves,Cxek'ish angelwez (the Angel of the Forest) who is responsible for forest animals like bears and foxes, and the goddessDali, the patron of hoofed mountain animals like goats.[2][9]
The association of Apsat with fish and birds is thought to stem from the eagle, which, as a fishing bird, is associated with both the sky and the water.[7]
To theOssetian people, Apsat is called Æfsatī, and he is regarded as the primary deity of the hunt.[10] He appears as such in the Ossetian epic called theNart saga.[5] Ossetian hunters referred to game as Æfsatī's cattle (Ossetian:Æfsatijy fos).[1] Hunters would make offerings and sing hymns begging his favor, and if successful in the hunt, would offer roasted organs such as the heart or the liver for thanks.[10] He is most commonly portrayed as elderly, bearded, and either one-eyed or blind.[11] It was said that he dwelt in a hut deep in the forest with his wife and daughters, and would occasionally permit huntsmen to marry his daughters.[10] Occasionally he was portrayed as a man withantlers or an animal with a white coat.[5]
TheKarachay people of theNorth Caucasus revered Apsat as Apsatı[2] or ApsatƏ,[5] god of hunting and prey. His daughter Fatima was known for her beauty.[2] Like the Ossetian Æfsatī, Apsatı often took the form of a white goat.[5]
{{cite book}}:|website= ignored (help){{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link){{cite book}}:|website= ignored (help)