Summary page for Radegast, the Slavic god of sun, fire, harvest, and abundance.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Sun, Sun Light, Warmth, Fire, Harvest, Abundance, Lightning
Archetype:
Sun God: Represented solar power and cycles of the sun.
Protector: Guardian of cities, wielding a spear and shield.
Harvest Deity: Brought abundance and prosperity to the land.
Warrior: Defended his people and strengthened them in battle.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Polish: Radegast
Russian: Radogost (Радогост), Radogast (Радогаст), Ridegost (Ридегост), Radegast (Радегаст)
Slav: Radegast, Radogast, Radogost, Ridegost
Ukrainian: Radogost (Радогост)
Served as a solar deity of fertility and hospitality.
Protected sailors, merchants, and fishermen during their travels.
Guarded cities, wielding a spear to smite enemies.
Represented strength and leadership as a defender of the city.
Symbolized the sun’s power, bringing warmth and bountiful harvests.
Revered as a god of the solstice and changing seasons.
Linked to spring’s return, bringing renewal and growth.
Held a temple in Rethra, where followers sought divination and made offerings.
Sometimes acted as a war deity, empowering and defending his people.
Known as a lightning god, conquering storms and devouring clouds.
Siblings:
Kolyada: god of Peace, Prosperity
Zorya Utrennyaya: goddess of Dawn, Harvest
Zorya Vechernyaya: goddess of Evening, Twilight, Dusk
Consorts:
None Known
Children:
None Known
Artists portrayed Radegast as a warrior-like figure in armor and chainmail.
He often held a spear and a shield decorated with a bull’s head.
Statues depicted him wearing a helmet topped with a rooster or eagle.
In some depictions, he held a double-bladed axe in his left hand.
A golden idol of Radegast stood in the temple of Rethra, symbolizing divine power.
The idol had an eagle with outspread wings on its head.
His chest often featured a painted or engraved black bull’s head.
The purple bed of the idol suggested royal and divine associations.
Weapons:
Wielded a spear, symbolizing his role as a smiter of enemies.
Held a double-bladed axe, representing his invincibility and power.
Carried a shield with a bull’s head design, emphasizing protection and strength.
Sacred Animals:
Rooster: Depicted on his helmet, symbolizing vigilance and alertness in protection.
Eagle: Sat on his head in idol form, symbolizing divine connection and power.
Bull: The bull’s head on his shield represented strength and resilience.
Symbolism:
Bull’s Head: Signified power, strength, and protective qualities.
Rooster: Represented watchfulness, fitting his role as a guardian of cities.
Eagle: Symbolized a connection to the heavens and divine authority.
Double-Bladed Axe: A symbol of his unyielding power and martial prowess.
Gold Idols: Represented his solar nature and triumph over darkness, highlighting his divine radiance.
Celestial Associations:
Solar Deity: Radegast was known as a solar god, tied to sunlight and warmth.
God of the Solstice: He governed the sun’s cycle, especially during the solstice.
Light Over Darkness: Golden idols symbolized his victory over the dark forces of night.
Worship Places:
Rethra: A major center for Radegast’s worship, with a dedicated temple.
Ridegost: A significant cult center with fortified mounds near Rethra.
Lutici Tribe Sanctuary: Ridegost was the main sanctuary for the Lutici tribe’s worship.
Rituals & Divinations:
Divination Practices: People sought prophecies at the Rethra temple, involving rituals for guidance.
Sacrificial Rituals: Radegast’s worship included blood sacrifices, sometimes involving human offerings.
Priestly Mediation: Priests consumed part of the sacrifice, symbolizing communication with Radegast.
Communal Feasts: After sacrifices and divinations, people held communal feasts with music and dancing.
Festivals:
Turon Festival: Radegast was honored during this post-Christmas celebration.
Winter Associations: The festival connected Radegast to the winter season, especially in Polish traditions.
War Themes: Radegast acted as a war god, protecting followers and offering strength.
Solar and Seasonal Themes: As a solar deity, he governed harvests, fertility, and seasonal cycles.
Light vs. Darkness: His role as a solar deity emphasized victory over darkness.
Visit All Slavic Gods & Goddesses
- J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
- Yaromir Slushni, All Slavic Myths and Legends (Russian) Все славянские мифы и легенды (ACT, Moscow, 2021) Page 4
- G. Glinka, V. Zhukovskiy, A. Gilferding, Slavyanskaya Mifologia (Beliy Gorod, 2020) РАДЕГАСТ, Pages 47-48
- A. Kononenko, L.P. Virovetz, Encyclopedia of Slavic Culture, Writings and Mythology (Russian Version) Энциклопедия славянской культуры, письменности и мифологии (Folio, Kharkiv, 2013) “Радогост” Pages 263-264
- Mayevska Svitlana Vasilivna, Pantheon of Slavic Gods (Ukrainian) Презентація ПАНТЕОН СЛОВ’ЯНСЬКИХ БОГІВ – ТО НАШЕ НЕБО. (Na Urok (Ukrainian) «НА УРОК», April 01)