Fourth Wing Gods, Religion and Violet’s Dedication

Hero image art by nadiax_art

Gods have been front and center in Fourth Wing since the series first came out. The polytheistic gods of The Continent, also known as Amaralys, and the Isles have been name-dropped throughout various conversations in the first two books. While they initially felt like intriguing worldbuilding details, it wasn’t until Onyx Storm that the gods truly took the wheel of the story, becoming an integral force rather than just background lore.

I have a strong feeling they’re about to become even more crucial to the plot. In fact, I can’t shake the suspicion that they might be the real villains of The Empyrean series—or maybe that’s just my trauma from other fantasy books talking. The constant presence of gods and religion in the series inspired me to put together this post: a guide to the gods, their influence, and the role they play in shaping the world of The Empyrean.

Who are the Gods of Fourth Wing?

The world of Fourth Wing is rich with deep lore and immersive worldbuilding. In this polytheistic universe, we’re gradually introduced to a pantheon of six gods, each holding significant influence over the daily lives of the Amaralis. So far, the confirmed deities include:

• Amari – Queen of the Gods
• Dunne – Goddess of War
• Malek – God of Death
• Zinhal – God of Luck
• Hedeon – God of Wisdom
• Loial – Goddess of Love

I say so far because the number six plays a major role throughout The Empyrean series—six first riders, six dragon dens, six missing eggs, and so on. But isn’t there also a seventh breed? The irids have conveniently been out of commission for an eternity, with no clear allegiance to any god. There’s a deeper symbolism at play, connecting gods, dragons, their colors, and even the gemstones referenced throughout the books.

We could theorize all day about what the number six truly represents—or whether each dragon and den aligns with a specific god—but that’s a deep dive for another time. For now, let’s focus on the six deities we do know.

Amari – Queen of the Gods

Unlike the other gods, Amari doesn’t have a specific pantheon. However the Continent Violet and the others live is named Amaralys and it’s habitants are called “Amarali”. We don’t know much about Amari specifically including her temperament, since she does not have a specific domain she precedes over.

However, we do know Rhiannon resembles the depictions of Amari. It’s also not so subtle that her name means “great queen”.

a woman with a full pack, whose high cheekbones and oval face remind me of renderings of Amari, the queen of the gods. Her dark brown hair is worn in several rows of short braids that just touch the equally dark skin of her neck.

Fourth Wing Chapter 1, (p. 27)

We can assume Amari looks similar to Rhiannon based on her observation. These observations are also helpful because the number six is very prominent in the Empyrean universe. It seems like each God will have a rider representation (champion?) based on how the stories progressing so far. Given that Rhiannon is already a squad leader, looks like Amari and share her qualities might mean that her and Feirge might be aligned with Amari closely.

Other information about Amari we know about:

• Like other gods, Amari has temples, a very unique one built in Aretia.
• Amari’s statues usually include cherubs carved at her feet.
• Amari’s temple is among the biggest on The Continent in addition to Dunne and Malek’s.

Dunne – Goddess of War

Dunne is the Goddess of War. There are at least two known temples of Dunne on Amaralys (The Continent), one in Aretia and one in the Braevick Province. Violet mentions spending time at the temple after her father passes, so we can guess that there’s at least one additional template near Basgiath.

Dunne’s primary domain is Unnbriel, also known as the Isle of Dunne. Everyone who is dedicated to Dunne is assumed to have full silver hair, indicating they belong to her. The priestesses and initiates of Dunne in the Isle of Unnbriel wear pale blue robes. Dunne’s priestesses wear a tattoo of Dunne’s emblem — two crossed swords gripped by a claw.

• Tairn refers to her as the Goddess of War and Strength.
• The two notable members of Dunne’s domain are:
  • Violet Sorrengail: Asher Daxton began the process of dedicating Violet to Dunne but never completed it.
  • Theophanie: Theophanie used to be a priestess of Dunne but when she turned Venin, she also forsaken Dunne and is unable to set foot in her temple.
• A high priestess of Dunne can marry people. Violet and Xaden are married by a Priestess of Dunne.
• Navarre’s largest temples are dedicated to Dunne, Malek and Amari
• Dunne worshippers believe characters are revealed in bloodshed
• Dunne’s emblem is the claw
• Dunne’s color is blue
• Dunne and Loial are the only two goddesses that require lifetime dedication
• Dunne’s power can kill a priestess of Dunne

Violet’s Dedication to Dunne Explained

The below information is a mix of the information from what’s been revealed in Onyx Storm and my interpretation of what that means.

Individuals can be dedicated to Gods in the Empyrean series. The practice of dedicating children to the gods has been illegal on the continent for a few hundred years.

Someone can also be touched or dedicated to the Gods. It seems the difference is whether the dedication is completed via free will or not. It could also mean that touched is used when the dedication is process is started, but not completed. It also probably the difference between having hair that ends in silver — e.g. Violet and full head of silver hair — e.g. Theophanie.

Worth noting not all priestesses of Dunne are dedicated. That’s why the priestess asks Violet if she uses lye and the choice of Manwasa flower to die her hair. As dedication is now illegal, the priestesses artificially achieve the silver hair.

Dedication is a pretty permanent process. Theophanie who is much older and fully dedicated (she probably was dedicated when dedication was legal) forsake Dunne when she turned and cannot enter her temple. It is insinuated that it’s painful for her as being touched or dedicated by one of the gods leads to yearning for temple.

In Onyx Storm we are left to put the pieces together of what a dedication is — specifically to Dunne and what happened to Violet. Lilith was sick that nearly killed her when she was pregnant with Violet, which led to Violet being born weak and brittle.

It’s not the first time I’ve heard her curse the sickness that nearly killed her while she was pregnant with me or the library Dad made my second home once she’d been stationed here at Basgiath as an instructor and he as a scribe.

Fourth Wing, Chapter 1 (p. 15)

We’re led to believe that Asher took Violet to Unnbriel to dedicate her to Dunne to see if it would improve her health. This part’s a bit murky because we’re always told that Asher considered Violet to be perfect as is and believed there’s nothing to be fixed (as he should). So there probably is an ulterior motive here about why he did it.

However, once the dedication process has started, the priestess has stopped the process because they only complete the dedication for those who’s paths are already chosen. Violet at the time had more than one path to choose from.

“She said the heart that beat for you—or within you—would do the wrong thing for the right reason, reach for unspeakable power, and turn dark.”

Onyx Storm, Chapter 54 (p.641-642)

Again here, we assume that she’s talking about Xaden and Mira just doesn’t know. However Rebecca Yarros has mentioned in interviews before that she originally intended for Violet to turn Venin not Xaden. So maybe the priestess is still talking about Xaden.

Violet, as someone who is touched by Dunne can wield her wrath as she uses a dagger made out of a piece of the temple of Dunne to kill Theophanie.

A gift from one servant of Dunne to another. I must warn you—only those touched by the gods should wield their wrath. I will pray to Her that she need not use it to avoid reacquainting herself with the other who curries her favor. Her path is still not set.

Onyx Storm, Chapter 64, (p. 732)

That’s all we know about her dedication so far but there’s a tiny bit more based on what we read at the end of Onyx Storm Brennan is shocked at Violet.

“Am I all right?” His eyes bulge, and he looks me over for injury. “It’s three o’clock in the morning! Where have you been?”

Onyx Storm, Chapter 66 (p. 745).

Between his surprise, the missing twelve hours and how they convinced the priestess to marry them, I am choosing to believe, Violet has completed her dedication and has a full head of silver now. I know the priestess owed them a favor after Aaric got them to defend their temple, but it makes sense Violet to complete her dedication to Dunne.

In fact, I fully believe all six riders who are mirroring the first six riders will become dedicated to different Gods. More on that at the end of this post.

Malek – God of Death

Malek is the God of Death. He is one of the most mentioned Gods in Fourth Wing, an artifact of the large amount of death toll in the Rider’s Quadrant during the first book. The souls of the dead are commended to Malek in Basgiath every morning when the death toll is read. When someone dies, their bodies are burned in addition to their belongings. It is considered to offend Malek when those who die have belongings remain unburned.

• Malek is strongly associated with fire
• He doesn’t have an Isle like the other gods. Perhaps the Continent or the Barrens could be his domain.
• Malek’s color is likely black. Riders wear black. And… death, you know?

Hedeon – God of Wisdom

Hedeon is the God of Wisdom and his island is Hedotis. They put wisdom above all else, however they take it to a point where cunning takes over wisdom. Asher Sorrengail notes that those who worship Hedeon prove their knowledge by considering what they don’t know instead of what they do know.

• Hedeon’s color is green
• Xaden’s mom is married to one of the triumvirate members who rulel the Isle of Hedotis
• Calldyr Province overwhelmingly worship Hedeon

Zinhal – God of Luck

Zinhal is the God of Luck. He’s known for their unpredictability and accepting fate as it comes — or luck. Showing disappointment what Zinhal has given (at times this could even be an arrow to the heart) is considered an offense to this god.

• The village near Basgiath, Chantara has a temple dedicated to Zinhal
• Zinhal’s color is orange
• Zinhal has a primary Isle, Zehyllna
• This Isle is the only Isle south of the continent that has magic. It’s not a large amount of magic.

Loial – Goddess of Love

Loial is the Goddess of Love.

We know very little of Loial. As she is the goddess of love, and this is a romantasy series, I presume that to be very intentional. I think we’re going to be seeing a lot more of Loial in the upcoming books!

• Loial has a primary Isle, Loysam.
• She, alongside Dunne, requires lifetime service.

That’s all we have on the gods! Now — I have some insane theories on how the number 6 is connected in the Empyrean, six dens, six gods, six colors and six pantheons! I’ll put a post together breaking down on how everything is connected, and post it in our ever growing crack pot Fourth Wing theories collection.

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Are you looking for all the details you missed at the end of Onyx Storm? Check out Onyx Storm Ending Explained. Wanting to keep reading about the lore and theorize? Head over to All Chapter Epigraphs and Quotes from Fourth Wing and Iron Flame!

For all other The Empyrean theories? Read more Empyrean Theories!