Summary page for Diy, the Slavic god of sky, agriculture, and cosmic order.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Sky, Death, Agriculture, Cosmic Order
Archetype:
Sky – God of celestial light and starry sky
Death – Deity of fear and death
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Russian: Div (Див )
Slavs: Div, Diy
Ukrainian: Div (Див), Diy (Дий)
Other Pantheons:
Baltic = Dievas
The name Diy connects to other ancient cultures and deities like Deva (Sanskrit and Persian), Deus (Latin), and Zeus (Greek).
Celestial Light and Sky: Diy was known as the god of celestial light and the starry sky.
Fear and Death: He was a deity of fear and death.
Supreme Deity: He once united the sky, earth, and underworld.
Specific Roles and Functions: Storms and Thunder: His roar signified thunder and storms, considered a bad omen.
Heavenly Residence: He lived in a palace in the sky, behind a stone, silver, gold, or amber mountain.
Agriculture and Cosmic Order: Diy protected and increased the harvest, governed people’s fates, and maintained cosmic order. He monitored the movement of the sun and moon.
Dragon, Snake, or Giant: Researchers sometimes viewed Diy as a dragon, snake, giant, or monster.
Ominous Bird: Some researchers saw Diy as an ominous bird or owl.
Parents:
Rod : god of Primordial Chaos, Creation, Light, Agriculture, Heaven, Fertility
Siblings:
Belobog: god of Goodness, Light, Fertility, Justice, Good Fortune, Beekeeping
Chernobog : god of Evil, Darkness
Chislobog: god of Moon, Calendars, Astrology, Astronomy, Numbers, Time
Khors : god of Sun, Health, Hunting
Svarog : god of Sky, Fire, Blacksmiths
Veles : god of Underworld, Cattle, Magic, Abundance, Knowledge, Travelers, Traders, Fertility, Agriculture
Zemlya : goddess of Earth
Consorts:
Zemlya : goddess of Earth
Children:
None Known
Celestial Light and Sky: People knew Diy as the god of celestial light and the starry sky.
Fearsome Bird Form: He also appeared as a sinister force in the form of a bird, owl. This bird lived in the forest treetops and descended at night to frighten with its terrifying appearance and cries. Diy sat on the top of a tree with a thunderous voice. He unified the sky, earth, and underworld. This position on the tree symbolized his role as a cosmic axis.
Regal and Martial Appearance: Artists depicted Diy as very beautiful, wearing a silver mantle. He always carried a sword on his belt. Horses were always by his side.
Celestial Light: Celestial light and the sky were key symbols.
Dragon, Snake, or Giant: Researchers sometimes viewed Diy as a dragon, snake, giant, or monster.
Weapons:
Sword: Diy was often depicted with a sword on his belt. This symbolized his martial and authoritative nature.
Sacred Animals:
Horses: Horses were considered sacred and always accompanied Diy. They emphasized his regal and powerful presence.
Owl: Diy was believed to appear in the form of a bird. Some believed this bird looked like an owl.
Symbolism:
Celestial Light: Diy was associated with celestial light and the starry sky. He represented the light and the heavens.
Storms: Diy’s roar symbolized thunder and storms. This highlighted his power over weather phenomena.
Regal and Martial Attributes: He wore a silver mantle and carried a sword. These symbols reflected his regal and martial nature.
Cosmic Unity: Diy united the sky, earth, and underworld. His position on a tree symbolized the cosmic axis connecting different worlds.
Celestial Associations:
He was linked to celestial light and the starry sky.
This suggested a connection to the heavens and possibly to stars or constellations.
Realms:
Sky, Earth, and Underworld: Diy was a supreme deity who unified the sky (Prav), earth (Yav), and underworld (Nav). He held influence over these diverse and significant cosmic domains.
Celestial Domain: Diy was a deity of the sky and celestial light. He resided in the upper, celestial realm.
Worship Places:
Diy was mentioned in various historical texts and secret writings, but specific temples or worship places were not detailed.
Rituals & Divinations:
General Worship and Sacrifices: Rituals existed but specific details were not provided.
Ritual Context: Diy, as a supreme deity, was part of various ritualistic practices. However, specific rituals performed in his honor were not detailed.
Festivals:
Specific festivals, days, months, or seasons dedicated to Diy are not detailed.
Ancient Russian Monument: Diy was mentioned in the ancient Russian monument “The Journey of the Virgin through the Torments.”
Novgorod Secret Writings: Diy appeared in Novgorod secret writings.
Pagan Worship Lists: He was listed in “The Word on How the Pagans Worshipped Idols” (“Dyevo Worship”).
Supreme Deity: Diy, sitting on a tree with a thunderous voice, was once a supreme deity uniting the sky, earth, and underworld.
Storms and Omens: Diy’s roar signified thunder and storms, considered a bad omen.
Christian Teachings: Diy was often equated with or replaced by devilish entities in Christian texts.
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) Дый, Pages 219-220
- Alexandra Barkova, What gods were worshiped before christinization? (Russian) В КАКИХ БОГОВ ВЕРИЛИ ДО КРЕЩЕНИЯ РУСИ? («Культура.РФ», 2013)
- Editors of Spadok.Org.UA, Pantheon of Slavic Gods (Ukraine) Пантеон язичницьких богів слов’ян (Spadok (Ukrainian), August 17, 2020)
- Mayevska Svitlana Vasilivna, Pantheon of Slavic Gods (Ukrainian) Презентація ПАНТЕОН СЛОВ’ЯНСЬКИХ БОГІВ – ТО НАШЕ НЕБО. (Na Urok (Ukrainian) «НА УРОК», April 01)