Zorya
Goddess of Dawn & Stars
Domains
- Dawn & Twilight
- Stars & Constellations
- Time & Cycles
- Protection
Aspects
- Zorya Utrennyaya (Morning Star)
- Zorya Vechernyaya (Evening Star)
- Zorya Polunochnaya (Midnight Star)
Description
Zorya is the celestial goddess of dawn and stars in Slavic mythology, often depicted as three sisters representing different times of day. She guards the doomsday hound Simargl, preventing the end of the world.
As the daughter of Dazhbog, the sun god, Zorya represents the transitional moments between day and night, bringing light to darkness and maintaining cosmic order.
Mythology
According to legend, Zorya opens the gates of Dazhbog's palace each morning and closes them at night. She watches over the chained hound Simargl, whose breaking free would signal the apocalypse.
Some myths describe Zorya weaving the threads of fate, with her stars representing human destinies. She is said to protect warriors and travelers under her celestial light.
Worship
Zorya was worshipped at dawn and dusk with offerings of silver objects and white flowers. Sailors prayed to her for safe voyages, using the stars she governed for navigation.
After Christianization, aspects of Zorya were absorbed into the cult of the Virgin Mary and various folk beliefs about morning and evening stars.