Summary page of Slavic goddess of twilight, Zorya Vechernyaya.
Pantheon:
Deity Of:
Evening, Twilight, Dusk
Archetype:
Protector: Guarded fields and ensured successful harvests.
Harvest Deity: Increased crop growth and abundance.
Other Names (a.k.a.):
Russian: Vechernyaya Zarya (Вечерняя Заря), Zarnitsa (Зарница)
Slav: Verchenyaya Zvezda, Zorya Vechernnyaya
Ukrainian: Zorya (Зоря), Vechirnya Zorya (Вечірня Зоря)
Known as the Evening Star, she guided the sun at sunset.
Ancient Slavs revered her for protecting fields and crops at night.
Helped ensure a bountiful harvest for agricultural societies.
Was worshipped as a fertility and harvest deity.
Shared dual nature with her sister, Zorya Utrennyaya.
Parents:
Dazhbog: god of Sun, Light, Fertility, Abundance
There is no specific mention of the goddesses’ mother. Both Zimsterla and Ziva were listed as Dazhbog’s consorts, and are listed here as potential maternal figures.
Zimsterla: goddess of Spring, Flowers, Dawn
or
Ziva : goddess of Life, Fertility
Siblings:
Zorya Utrennyaya: goddess of Dawn, Harvest
Consorts:
Myesyats: god of Moon
Children:
None Known
Ancient artists portrayed her wearing golden-crimson robes symbolizing the evening sky.
She briefly appeared at the end of the day, adorned in warm sunset colors.
Like her sister, Zorya Utrennyaya, she was depicted with a wreath of grain, representing her role as a harvest goddess.
Artists showed her at night, fluttering over fields, protecting crops.
Her imagery emphasized her connection to fertility, agriculture, and celestial transitions.
Weapons:
None Known
Sacred Animals:
None Known
Symbolism:
Associated with the Evening Star, guiding the night sky.
Wore golden-crimson robes, symbolizing the colors of the evening sky.
The wreath of grain symbolized her role as harvest deity. Also symbolized fertility and abundance.
Celestial Associations:
Helped guide the sunset and transition from day to night.
Linked to the moon god Meness or Myesyats in some traditions.
Realms:
Ruled over the evening sky and celestial night.
Guided the sun into the realm of night.
Associated with nighttime fields, protecting crops during the night.
Worship Places:
No specific temples or places of worship were dedicated to Zorya Vechernyaya.
Rituals & Divinations:
People prayed to her for a bountiful harvest.
Nighttime rituals involved her presence over fields, protecting crops.
Ancient Slavs used wreaths of grain in harvest ceremonies to honor her.
Festivals:
No specific festivals or holidays dedicated to Zorya Vechernyaya.
Known for opening the gates for the sun at sunset.
Associated with guiding the sun into the realm of night.
She accompanied Dazhbog, the sun god, alongside her sister, Zorya Utrennyaya.
Represented as the Evening Star, part of a dual aspect with her sister, the Morning Star.
Visit All Slavic Gods & Goddesses
- J.A. Coleman, The Dictionary of Mythology: An A-Z of Themes, Legends, and Heroes (Barnes & Noble, Inc., 2007)
- Mayevska Svitlana Vasilivna, Pantheon of Slavic Gods (Ukrainian) Презентація ПАНТЕОН СЛОВ’ЯНСЬКИХ БОГІВ – ТО НАШЕ НЕБО. (Na Urok (Ukrainian) «НА УРОК», April 01)
- G. Glinka, V. Zhukovskiy, A. Gilferding, Slavyanskaya Mifologia (Beliy Gorod, 2020) Зарница, Page 42