Oesho

Oesho (Bactrian: Οηϸο) is a deity found on coins of 2nd to 6th-century, particularly the 2nd-century Kushan era. He was apparently one of the titular deities of the Kushan dynasty. Oesho is an early Kushan deity that is regarded as an amalgamation of Shiva.^[2]

Oesho
Three-faced Oesho on coin of Huvishka, with traditional attributes: thunder (vajra), trident, club (Daṇḍa), vase. Bactrian legend Οηϸο[1]
Bactrian script	ΟΗϷΟ / Οηϸο
Affiliation	Shiva, Vayu
Consort	Ommo ("ΟΜΜΟ", Umā)

By the time of the Kushan emperor Ooishki (Bactrian Οοηϸκι; often Romanised as Huvishka), who reigned in 140–180 CE, Oesho and the female deity Ardoksho (Ardoxsho; Ardochsho; Ardokhsho) were the only deities appearing on Kushan coins.

Connections

Connections to several contemporaneous deities worshipped by neighbouring cultures have been suggested.

• During the Kushan era, Oesho was often linked to the Hindu concept of Ishvara, which was embodied by the god Shiva;^[3] Oesho may share the same etymology as Ishvara and/or represent a variant of the word in the Bactrian language spoken by the Kushans.^[4][5]
• Similarities have retrospectively been identified with the Avestan Vayu.^[6][7]
• Some later representations, evidently influenced by Greco-Bactrian culture, depict Oesho with a trishula, the traditional implement of Shiva, similar to a trident that is part of Poseidon's iconography.^[8]

Consort

The consort of Oesho was Ommo ("ΟΜΜΟ", Umā), as shown on a coin type of Kushan ruler Huvishka with, on the reverse, the divine couple Ommo ("ΟΜΜΟ", Umā) holding a flower, and Oesho ("ΟΗϷΟ", Shiva) with four arms holding attributes.^[9][10]

Depictions of Oesho

• 
  Coin of Huvishka with deity Oesho ("ΟΗϷΟ", Shiva).^[11]
• 
  Coinage of Kushan ruler Huvishka with, on the reverse, the divine couple Ommo ("ΟΜΜΟ", Umā) holding a flower, and Oesho ("ΟΗϷΟ", Shiva) with four arms holding attributes. Circa 150-180 CE.^[12][13]
• 
  Oesho, with a second human face, and the head of a horned animal, on a coin of Vasudeva I
• 
  Coin of the Kushan king Kanishka II with, on the reverse, a depiction of Oesho and the word "Oesho" in modified Greek script.
• 
  Kushan worshipper with Oesho, Bactria, 3rd century CE.^[14]