ZORYA

[Other] The Zorya are ancient Slavic sky and light goddesses, honored particularly in Russia. Sometimes only two in number, they are usually portrayed as three, a not uncommon number. They were three Slavic dawn goddesses. There was Utrennyaya, the morning star; Vechernyaya, the evening star; and the midnight Zorya. All have the same job: to guard a chained dog who tries to eat the constellation Ursa Minor, the little bear. If the chain should ever break and the dog should ever get loose, the universe will end. Thus the Zoryas are guardian goddesses.