was borrowed from Russian people. Lastly, Vladimir Toporov, in his studies concluded that Ūsiņš was an ancient and mythical deity of several nations. Parallels Folk songs expressed a visible merging process of Ūsiņš and Jurģi (Saint George). According to older writings, Jurģi Day (April 23) was also known as Ūsiņš Day, which were mainly related to the beginning of the spring work, resuming to shepherd livestock and pieguļa. Ūsiņš also shows similarities with the Indian deities Ashvini and is therefore also comparable with Greek Dioskouri or "Sons of Zeus", who like Ūsiņš transport the Sun. A further parallel is that Ūsiņš is also known as Son of Dievs, and both Asvins are described as Divo napata ("Sons of Dyaus"). Ūsiņš Day celebration Farmers fully entrust their horses to Ūsiņš, handing them over under his guardianship. Folk songs mention, that Ūsiņš himself belongs to horses, moreover, they are very well cared for. Since Ūsiņš is the god of light, it was horses that transported the sun. An important place in descriptions of traditions is paid to a sacrifice. A black cock with nine crests and red legs is sacrificed to Ūsiņš. Rooster's blood was drained in horse's manger directly on oats. There was a belief, that blood, which is given to Ūsiņš, blessed the beast's home. Later during pieguļa the rooster is cooked and eaten by pieguļnieki. During pieguļa eggs are boiled and cooked into a special Ūsiņi dish – pantāga. Ūsiņš Day was held on horse market day when they were bought and sold. Ūsiņš Day was met with a rumble and great noisiness, which ties in with spring thunder nature. Ūsiņš in Latvian dainas References External links Jurģi Day Jurģi – Ūsiņi Jurģi (Ūsiņi) Folk songs about Ūsiņi Dievturi: Ūsiņi Juris, Jurģis and Ūsiņš Ūsiņš rode to pieguļa Latvian folk songs How Ūsiņš developed into Jurģis Latvian gods Light gods Nature gods Spring (season) Baltic gods