Summary page for Dazhbog, the Slavic god of sun, light, fertility, and abundance.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Sun, Light, Fertility, Abundance
Archetype:
Sun God: Revered as the god of the sun, warmth, and light.
Harvest Deity: Controlled fertility and the quality of the harvests.
Death and Rebirth Deity: He journeyed to the underworld and returned. Thus, representing death and rebirth.
Group:
Svarozhichi
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Russia: Dazhbog (Дажбог), Dazhdbog (Даждьбог)
Slav: Da Bog, Dabog, Dadzbog, Dajbog, Dajdbog, Daybog, Dazbog, Dazdbog, Dazhbog, Dazibogu, Giving God, Son of Svarog, Xursu Dazibogu
Ukrainian: Dazhbog (Дажбог)
Other Pantheons:
Roman = Apollo
Greek = Helius
Zoroastrean = Mithra
God of the Sun: Slavic people revered Dazhbog as the god of the sun, warmth, and light.
Giver of Abundance: He was the deity of fertility, ensuring bountiful harvests and prosperity.
Source of Life and Power: Dazhbog provided light, heat, and life-giving energy to the world.
Cultural Significance: The Slavs called themselves “grandchildren of Dazhbog,” showing their divine heritage.
Central Deity: Dazhbog was one of the most important gods in the Slavic pantheon, deeply respected by the ancient Slavs.
Comparable to Other Sun Gods: Scholars today compare to the Greek god Helios and the Roman god Apollo.
Parents:
Svarog : god of Sky, Fire, Blacksmiths
Siblings:
Kresnik: god of Agriculture, Cattle
Lada: goddess of Marriage, Love, Fertility, Beauty, Spring, Harmony
Mokosh: goddess of Fate, Weaving, Fertility, Harvests, Earth
Perun: god of Thunder, Lightning, Rain, Warriors
Semargl: god of Vegetation, Agriculture, Fire, Moon, Hearth
Stribog : god of Wind, Air, Storms
Svarozhich: god of Fire, Sun
Svetovid: god of War, Agriculture, Sun and Heavenly Fire, Wisdom
Ziva: goddess of Life, Fertility
Consorts:
Ziva: goddess of Life, Fertility
In other accounts his consort was Zimsterla: goddess of Spring, Flowers, Dawn.
Children:
Kolyada: god of Peace, Prosperity
Zorya Utrennyaya: goddess of Dawn
Zorya Vechernyaya: goddess of Evening, Twighlight
Radegast: god of Sun, Sun Light, Warmth, Fire, Harvest, Abundance, Lightning
Solar Symbol and Gold Color: Dazhbog’s symbol was the solar disk.
The color gold represented his noble and unyielding strength.
Depiction and Attributes: Dazhbog was often shown in golden armor, with a shining shield. His solar shield radiated sunlight, symbolizing his power. Artists depicted him with long, light-blonde hair and a piercing gaze. His hair was described as the color of golden wheat, and his eyes were sky blue.
Chariot and Horses: He rode a chariot pulled by four white horses with golden manes and wings. In some depictions, he traveled across the sky daily in a chariot drawn by twelve white horses or three made of precious metals.
Imagery in Art: In art, artists portrayed Dazhbog with a spear and a shield that emitted a bright light. People believed the sunlight on earth was a reflection from Dazhbog’s shield.
Symbolic Representations: Artists sometimes depicted him holding a cornucopia, symbolizing abundance. His solar shield was viewed as the source of sunlight and life-giving power.
Weapons:
Spear and Shield: Artists often depicted him in golden armor, wielding a spear and a shining shield from which bright light emanated.
Mace: In one myth, Dazhbog struck Zlata with a mace, showcasing his strength.
Sword: He attempted to break a cursed coffin with a sword, demonstrating his use of weaponry in challenging situations.
Magical Ring: Given by Viy, the lord of the underworld, this ring held great power and played a crucial role in his myths.
Sacred Animals:
Golden-Maned Horses: Dazhbog’s chariot was drawn by four white horses with golden manes and wings, symbolizing his connection to the sun and sky.
Birds (Geese and Ducks): He was accompanied by geese and ducks during his travels across the sky, further emphasizing his celestial nature.
Lion: Dazhbog transformed into a lion in a wrestling match with Perun, highlighting his fierce and majestic nature.
Golden-Horned Deer: At one point, Dazhbog was transformed into a golden-horned deer through enchanted mead.
Faithful Horse Kologriv: Dazhbog’s loyal horse Kologriv rescued him from the underworld, symbolizing loyalty and bravery.
Symbolism:
Solar Disk: His primary symbol was the solar disk, representing his dominion over the sun and light.
Gold: The color gold was closely associated with Dazhbog, symbolizing nobility, strength, and the life-giving power of the sun.
Cornucopia: He was sometimes depicted holding a cornucopia, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
Ruby: The ruby was linked to Dazhbog, representing power and vitality.
Celestial Associations:
Sun: Dazhbog was primarily associated with the sun, embodying its warmth, light, and life-sustaining energy.
Realms:
Navi (Realm of the Dead): Dazhbog had connections to the realm of Navi, particularly through his interactions with Marena and Viy. His journey to the underworld and interactions with Viy, the lord of the underworld, are central themes in his mythology.
Worship Places:
Kiev Temples: The idol of Dazhbog stood on a hill in Kiev as part of the pantheon of gods established by Prince Vladimir. This was a central place of worship for the Slavs.
Pantheon of Prince Vladimir: Dazhbog was included among the idols in the pantheon created by Prince Vladimir in Kiev, which was a significant site for Slavic religious practices.
Rituals & Divinations:
Morning Prayers: Worshippers prayed to Dazhbog in the early morning as the sun rose, asking for his blessings of sunlight, rain, and prosperity.
Agricultural Rituals: Starting in May, farmers prayed to Dazhbog for rain and a bountiful harvest. They often offered part of their harvest as a tribute to him.
No Sacrifices: Unlike other deities, Dazhbog did not receive sacrifices or offerings. Instead, worshippers offered fervent prayers to seek his favor.
Solar Shield: Dazhbog’s solar shield was considered a source of sunlight and was symbolic of his power and ability to bring life and wisdom.
Magical Ring: In myth, Dazhbog used a magical ring from Viy to break a curse, showing his connection to mystical and divine interventions.
Festivals:
Specific Days and Festivals: Festivals in honor of Dazhbog were celebrated on February 12-14, February 16-17, March 18, May 6, and August 19-14. These dates marked significant agricultural and celestial events.
May 6 (Dazhbog’s Day): This day celebrated Dazhbog’s marriage to Jiva, marking the renewal of the world after a great flood.
Seasonal Celebrations: Dazhbog was closely associated with the peak of summer, and his worship included celebrations tied to the sun’s position and agricultural cycles.
Wrestling with Perun: In one myth, Dazhbog wrestled with Perun, the thunder god, until they realized their brotherhood and made peace.
Journey to the Underworld: Dazhbog ventured to the underworld to seek help from Viy, the lord of the underworld, to break a curse.
Conflict with Marena: Marena, the goddess of death, tried to enchant Dazhbog, leading to a conflict that involved Koshchei imprisoning him.
Resurrection and Renewal: Dazhbog’s stories include themes of death and resurrection, similar to myths of Heracles and Prometheus.
Cultural Influence: The Slavs referred to themselves as “Dazhbog’s grandchildren” in the “Slovo o polku Igoreve,” emphasizing their divine connection.
Visit All Slavic Gods & Goddesses
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- A. N. Nikolayeva, Slavic Myths (Russian) Славянские мифы Мифы мира. Самые сказочные истории человечества (Bombora Izdatelstvo, 2023) Pages 41-47
- Alexandra Barkova, What gods were worshiped before christinization? (Russian) В КАКИХ БОГОВ ВЕРИЛИ ДО КРЕЩЕНИЯ РУСИ? (Культура.РФ, 2013)
- Editors of Drevnerusskiy Slovar, Дажбог (Drevenrusskiy Slovar (Russian) Древнерусский словарик, 2010-2024)
- The Editors of Spadok.Org.UA, Pantheon of Slavic Gods (Ukraine) Пантеон язичницьких богів слов’ян (Spadok (Ukrainian), August 17, 2020)
- Editors of Spadok.Org.UA, Sun Gods of Slavs (Ukrainian) Боги Сонця у слов’ян: Дажбог, Ярило, Хорс та інші (Spadok (Ukrainian), February 27, 2019)
- G. Glinka, V. Zhukovskiy, A. Gilferding, Slavyanskaya Mifologia (Beliy Gorod, 2020) ДАЖБОГ, Page 27
- Galina Lozko, Слов’янський пантеон у світлі етнорелігійного ренесансу (Об`єднання рідновірів України, 1995-2024)
- Igor Ozhiganov, Slavic Gods and Goddesses (Russian) Славянские Боги и Богини (Naslediye Sluchkogo Kraya (Russian) “Наследие слуцкого края”, October 31, 2019)
- J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
- Jan Hanuš Máchal, George Foot Moore, Louis Herbert Gray, Slavic Mythology: Folklore & Legends of the Slavs (e-artnow, Originally published 1922, Date Published 2020) Page 105
- Mayevska Svitlana Vasilivna, Pantheon of Slavic Gods (Ukrainian) Презентація ПАНТЕОН СЛОВ’ЯНСЬКИХ БОГІВ – ТО НАШЕ НЕБО. (Na Urok (Ukrainian) «НА УРОК», April 01)