Summary page for Yara, the Slavic goddess of earth and spring.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Earth, Spring
Archetype:
Earth Mother: Embodied the nurturing, life-giving energy of the earth.
Protector: Guarded the fertility of nature and its cycles.
Balance Keeper: Balanced Yarilo’s active male energy with calm feminine power.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Russian: Yarina (Ярина), Yara (Яра)
Slav: Orina, Yara, Yarina
Goddess of the earth and fertility.
Associated with spring and nature’s awakening after winter.
Symbolized the earth’s fertilization by the sun.
Protected the earth’s fertility and natural cycles.
Represented calm, feminine energy, balancing Yarilo’s aggressive male power.
Celebrated during a spring festival marking the ancient Slavic New Year.
Revered for renewing the natural world and ensuring its balance.
Parents:
None Known
Siblings:
None Known
Consorts:
Yarilo: god of Sun, Spring, Fertility
Children:
None Known
Yara was symbolically linked to nature and spring’s renewal.
Ancient artists likely portrayed her as embodying calm, feminine energy.
She represented the earth awakening under the March sun after winter.
Yara symbolized fertility and the natural cycles of growth and balance.
Her festival on March 14th celebrated the earth’s renewal and the start of the Slavic New Year.
Weapons:
None Known
Sacred Animals:
Her focus was on the earth’s fertility and nature’s cycles rather than specific animals.
Symbolism:
Represented the awakening of nature and earth’s fertility in spring.
Symbolized by the March sun and the renewal of the natural world.
Embodied calm, nurturing feminine energy, balancing Yarilo’s aggressive male energy.
Celestial Associations:
Closely associated with the March sun, symbolizing spring and earth’s awakening.
Linked to the seasonal cycle, especially the spring equinox and return of the sun.
The sun played a key role in her symbolism as a fertility goddess.
Realms:
Strongly associated with the earthly realm, governing nature’s fertility and cycles.
Connected to the spring season and the rejuvenation of the natural world.
Revered as the guardian and protector of the earth’s fertility.
Worship Places:
Was worshiped in natural settings, reflecting her connection to the earth.
Her worship focused on seasonal cycles and the renewal of nature in spring.
Rituals & Divinations:
Rituals celebrated the sun’s fertilizing power and nature’s renewal.
Festivals:
March 14th: Yara’s main festival, marking the New Year for ancient Slavs.
Celebrated the awakening of nature and the earth’s fertility in spring.
This festival started a cycle of spring celebrations honoring nature.
The cycle ended with the festival of Yarilo, Yara’s male counterpart.
A mythology story involved Yarilo saving Yara from a serpent. The story includes themes of heroism, love, and the defeat of a monster.
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) Яра, Pages 292-293
- Editors of Drevenrusskiy Slovar, Yarila (Russian Ярила) (Drevenrusskiy Slovar (Russian) Древнерусский словарик, 2010-2024)