Ayaz Ata ( uz, Ayoz Bobo, ky, Аяз ата, kk, Аяз Ата, tk, Aýaz Baba, tt, Кыш бабай) is a winter god
[Türk Söylence Sözlüğü (Turkish Mythology Dictionary), Deniz Karakurt, (OTRS: CC BY-SA 3.0)] and a fictional tale character that it represents who in some Turkic cultures plays a role similar to that of
Santa Claus or
Ded Moroz
Ded Moroz (russian: Дед Мороз, ; Russian diminutive: russian: Дедушка Мороз, Dedushka Moroz, label=none; sk, Dedo Mráz; pl, Dziadek Mróz) or Morozko (russian: Морозко) is a legendary figure similar to Saint Nicho ...
. The literal translation of the name would be "Frost Father", although the name is often translated as "Grandfather Frost". He was created of Moon light and caused by cold weather.
Features
Literary depictions of Ayaz Ata commonly show him accompanied by Kar Kız (Tatar: ''Кар Кызы'' or ''Qar Qızı'' means "Snow Girl" or "Snow Maiden"), his granddaughter and helper, sometimes with influence of
Slavic Snegurochka
Snegurochka (diminutive) or Snegurka ( rus, Снегу́рочка (diminutive), Снегу́рка, p=sʲnʲɪˈgurətɕkə, snʲɪˈgurkə), or The Snow Maiden, is a character in Russian fairy tales.
This character has no apparent roots in ...
,
who often depicted in long silver-blue robes and a furry cap or a snowflake-like crown. She is a unique attribute of Ayaz Ata; no traditional gift-givers from other cultures are portrayed with a similar companion.
The traditional appearance of Ayaz Ata resembles that of Ded Moroz, with his coat, boots and long white beard. Specifically, Ayaz Ata is often shown wearing a heel-length fur coat, a semi-round fur hat, and valenki or jackboots on his feet. Unlike Santa Claus, he is often depicted as walking with a long magical staff. He is often depicted in long silver-blue robes and a snowflake-like crown.
In Azerbaijan
In
Azerbaijani, Ayaz Ata is known as Şaxta Baba ("Grandfather Frost") and his companion grandchild is known as ''Qar Qızı'' ("Snow Girl"). ''Şaxta Baba'' brings gifts to children at New Year celebrations, however ''Qar Qızı'' is rarely present at the festivities.
In Bashkortostan
In
Bashkir, Ayaz Ata is known as
Ҡыш бабай (''Qïš babay'', literally: "Winter Father"), and his granddaughter is known as
Ҡарһылыу (''Qarhïlïw'', "Snow beauty").
In Yakutia
Chys Khan (Sakha: ''Чысхаан'', Turkish: ''Kış Han'', "Winter King") is known as the master of cold, accompanied by the snow maiden Khaarchana (Sakha: ''Хаарчаана'').
[Стрела; Дед Мороз и все-все-вс]
Якутия - Чисхан
/ref>
In Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Аяз Ата (Ayaz Ata) is the same Kazakh and Kyrgyz name.
References
{{reflist
External links
Russian Ded Moroz and Kyrgyz Ayaz Ata
Turkic legendary creatures
Sky and weather gods
az:Şaxta Baba
azb:آیاز آتا
cv:Хĕл Мучи
hu:Télapó
mhr:Йӱштӧ Кугыза
uz:Ayoz Bobo
tt:Кыш бабай