Summary page for Magura, the Slavic goddess of battles, warriors, and victory.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Battles, Warriors, Victory
Archetype:
Warrior: Fierce, winged goddess aiding in battle.
Protector: Guardian of warriors’ souls, ensuring safe passage to the afterlife.
Group:
Associated with the war deities of the Slavic pantheon.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Russian: Magura (Магура)
Ukrainian: Magura (Магура), Mogura (Могура), Perunytsia (Перуниця)
Other Pantheons:
Compared to Norse Valkyries, both guided fallen warriors to the afterlife.
Revered as a goddess of victory and battle.
Protected and supported warriors during conflicts.
Boosted warriors’ morale with her warlike cries.
Guided souls of fallen heroes to the afterlife.
Offered fallen warriors water from a golden skull-shaped cup.
Ensured brave warriors reached Virey or Golden Iriy, a paradise.
She symbolized hope and courage with her golden, sunlit helmet.
Embodied the ideals of bravery and heroism in war.
Siblings:
Dzewana: goddess of Forests, Hunting
Perunich: god of Strength, Fertility
Provie: god of Justice, Prophecy, Fate
Consorts:
None Known
Children:
None Known
Depicted as a beautiful, winged, warlike goddess.
Wings symbolized her celestial and otherworldly nature.
Compared to Norse Valkyries, emphasizing her warrior role.
She wore a golden helmet that shone brightly in the sunlight.
The helmet symbolized hope and bravery for warriors.
She held a golden skull-shaped cup to offer water.
The cup symbolized guiding fallen warriors to the afterlife.
Often shown on the battlefield, inspiring and aiding warriors.
Weapons:
There were no specific weapons. She inspired warriors with her war cries and presence.
Sacred Animals:
No sacred animals or birds were linked to her.
Symbolism:
Golden Helmet: Symbolized hope, bravery, and victory; shone brightly in battle.
Golden Skull-Shaped Cup: Represented death, rebirth, and passage to the afterlife.
Wings: They highlighted her role as a protector and guide for warriors.
Celestial Associations:
Associated with the sun through her shining golden helmet.
The helmet symbolized light and hope on the battlefield.
Realms:
Guided souls to Virey and Golden Iriy, heavenly afterlife realms.
Virey and Golden Iriy were paradises for brave, fallen warriors.
She escorted warriors’ souls but did not rule these realms.
Worship Places:
No specific temples or shrines were dedicated to the goddess. She was present on the battlefields.
Rituals & Divinations:
Only those who displayed courage and heroism on the battlefield were granted the honor of her presence.
The brave warriors would be offered water from her golden skull-shaped cup, symbolizing their passage to the afterlife in Virey or Golden Iriy.
This final act was reserved for the most valiant fighters, emphasizing that only those who met a noble and courageous death would be escorted by Magura to paradise.
Mythology Themes Related to Magura
War Themes: Supported warriors on the battlefield with war cries and hope.
Heroic Themes: Guided only the bravest warriors to the afterlife.
She symbolized victory, courage, and a noble death in battle.
Provided ritualistic transition to paradise for fallen heroes.
Visit All Slavic Gods & Goddesses
- A. Kononenko, L.P. Virovetz, Encyclopedia of Slavic Culture, Writings and Mythology (Russian Version) Энциклопедия славянской культуры, письменности и мифологии (Folio, Kharkiv, 2013) “Магура” Page 241
- Mayevska Svitlana Vasilivna, Pantheon of Slavic Gods (Ukrainian) Презентація ПАНТЕОН СЛОВ’ЯНСЬКИХ БОГІВ – ТО НАШЕ НЕБО. (Na Urok (Ukrainian) «НА УРОК», April 01)