Astronomy

“The stars are the eyes of the creation, and to look into them is to make contact with the Maker” ―Sister Oran Petrarchius^[1]

Stained Glass Frostback Basin — Phases of the moon, as depicted in the Frostback Basin Glass.

Cultures across Thedas have formed constellations out of the stars above for millennia. Depictions vary wildly across time and cultures. Modern constellations are mostly attributed to the ancient Tevinter Imperium, though there is some evidence that the Imperium deliberately supplanted older elven constellations.^[2] As such, most constellations have a common name and a name in old Tevene. The interpretations of most of these constellations has shifted significantly since the rise of Andrastianism and the Chantry.^[1] Other human tribes such as the Avvar,^[3] the Alamarri and the Ciriane are also known to have ascribed their own meaning to the constellations.^[4]

While stars are different between northern and southern Thedas,^[5] some constellations are visible across the continent.^[6]

Stars have been used for navigation by many Thedosian cultures,^[7] and various sky charts have been constructed, presumably reflecting the regional differences.^[5] Ancient cultures also consulted the stars through oracles and sages to aid in decision-making.^[8]

There are two moons of Thedas, the first one seemingly known only as "the moon" and the second one known as Satina.^[9]^[10]^[11] Phases of the moon can be observed.^[12]

The amount of sunlight changes throughout the year, and Thedosians noticed the occurence of solstices; these events hold significance in multiple Thedosian cultures. In the ancient kingdom of Barindur, winter solstice was celebrated.^[13] The Avvar build altars that have a hidden opening, which aligns with the rising sun on the day of winter solstice.^[14] The Chantry also celebrates solstices.^[15] Commonfolk may decorate their villages for winter solstice festivities.^[16]

Astrariums[]

Main article: Astrarium

A pre-Andrastian cult of Tevinter magisters used objects known as astrariums to lock away treasures and secret meeting places by mapping them to specific constellations. Connecting three constellations in the correct order would reveal the location of their hidden caches. Many of these relics were destroyed in the early Divine Age by cultists who believed that the astrariums held up the Veil and wanted to destroy the world.

Known constellations[]

Belenas[]

Belenas is the name of the mountain on which Korth the Mountain-Father, god of the Avvar, was said to keep his throne. Legend says that young Avvar would challenge each other to scale the mountain, until Korth grew weary of welcoming successful climbers into his hall and asked the Lady of the Skies to lift the mountain from the earth and into the sky, where no climber could reach it.

The astrariums for Belenas, Fulmenos and Visus can be found in the Frostback Basin.

Bellitanus[]

Commonly known as "the Maiden." Originally referred to Urthemiel, the Old God of Beauty. Depictions of the constellation Bellitanus vary across ages, as it has always been considered fashionable for notable women of the day to be declared the personification of the Maiden, such as Queen Asha Campana and Queen Madrigal of Antiva.

The astrariums for Bellitanus, Fervenial and Servani can be found in the Storm Coast.

Draconis[]

Commonly known as "High Dragon." Draconis has traditionally been depicted as a dragon in flight. Recent research has called into question whether this was also the case in ancient Tevinter, as dragon imagery was reserved for the Old Gods, which already had their own constellations. The find of older drawings showing Draconis with a more serpentine appearance has fueled speculation that Draconis originally showed a sea creature or an unknown eighth Old God stricken from historical record.

The astrariums for Draconis, Judex and Peraquialus can be found in the Hinterlands.

Eluvia[]

Commonly known as "Sacrifice." Believed to originally refer to Razikale, the Old God of Mystery. The constellation was the source of many superstitions involving the granting of wishes. It then became associated with the popular Orlesian tale of the same name from the Glory Age. Eluvia tells the story of a young woman saved from a lustful mage by being sent into the sky by her father. Her father was killed by the mage in return, the sacrifice after which the constellation is named in common parlance. The daughter became the constellation; she is depicted as a seated woman with her head in the clouds.

The astrariums for Eluvia, Equinor and Solium can be found in the Emerald Graves.

Equinor[]

Commonly known as "the Stallion." Equinor has historically been depicted as either a rearing horse or a seated griffon. However, there is also speculation that the constellation originally depicted a halla, which would indicate that the ancient Tevinters deliberately supplanted the constellation's original representation of the elven goddess Ghilan'nain, known as "Mother of the Hallas." Since horses also held great significance to Neromenian culture, the Imperium's predecessor, this speculation is largely considered unfounded.

The astrariums for Eluvia, Equinor and Solium can be found in the Emerald Graves.

Fenrir[]

Commonly known as "White Wolf." Fenrir has always been considered an oddity among scholars, as wolves hold no special significance within Tevinter folklore. Many scholars see this as proof that the Imperium deliberately supplanted older elven constellations names. As a result, Fenrir has been associated with the elven trickster god, Fen'Harel, though others claim that it is a reference to an old and unverified Neromenian tale of a wolf escaping hunters by fleeing into the sky.

The astrariums for Fenrir, Satinalis and Toth can be found in the Western Approach.

Fervenial[]

Commonly known as "the Oak." Fervanis is generally depicted as a towering tree with leafless branches. Many believe it references the early Neromenians' animist beliefs, though others claim that Fervanis was originally a depiction of Andruil, elven goddess of the Hunt, and of her tenet of the "Vir Tanadhal."

The astrariums for Bellitanus, Fervenial and Servani can be found in the Storm Coast.

Fulmenos[]

Commonly known as "the Thunderbolt." Fulmenos depicts a bolt of lightning thrown by a wrathful god, though there is significant debate over which god it's supposed to be. Each of the Old Gods has been credited as a thrower while the target has been said to be anything from the lost city of Barindur to a jester who made a heinous pun. The constellation may also hold importance to the Avvar culture.^[17]

The astrariums for Belenas, Fulmenos and Visus can be found in the Frostback Basin.

Judex[]

Commonly known as "the Sword of Mercy." Judex is depicted as a downturned sword. It originally referred to the concept of justice in ancient Tevinter, where it would have indicated a guilty verdict–most likely execution. In the modern era, it is used as a symbol of the Templar Order and is also used in the heraldry of the Inquisition. As such, the ancient interpretation is frowned upon in scholarly circles.

The astrariums for Draconis, Judex and Peraquialus can be found in the Hinterlands.

Kios[]

Commonly known as "Chaos." Originally referred to Zazikel, the Old God of Chaos. Kios has often been depicted as an ill omen. In the Towers Age, there was a movement within the Chantry to change its representation to that of a dove. Divine Joyous II decided against it. A common legend says that the priest behind the effort died by falling from a bridge shortly after the decision was made, though there is no proof that this ever happened.

The astrariums for Kios, Silentir and Tenebrium can be found in Crestwood.

Peraquialus[]

Commonly known as "Voyager." Peraquialus is often depicted as one of the primitive ships sailed by the Neromenians. As Peraquialus translates from old Tevene to "across the sea," many believe that this lends credence to the idea that the Neromenians originally came from beyond Thedas, though most reputable scholars dispute this theory, as the ancient Neromenians would likely have named the stars before embarking on a long sea voyage.

The astrariums for Draconis, Judex and Peraquialus can be found in the Hinterlands.

Satinalis[]

Commonly known as either "Satina" (after the moon) or "Satinalia" (after the holiday). Satinalis is traditionally depicted by the Celebrant, a seated man playing a lyre. In ancient Tevinter, it was known as "Mortemalis" and was represented by a warrior holding a severed head–usually that of an elf. It was renamed in the Divine Age and its original name and meaning has been all but forgotten.

The astrariums for Fenrir, Satinalis and Toth can be found in the Western Approach.

Servani[]

Commonly known as "the Chained Man." Servani is traditionally depicted as a man dragging a heavy chain behind him. As such, it is believed that it originally referred to Andoral, the Old God of Slaves, and to the ancient Tevinter system of slavery itself. The Trisalus guild claims to have used representations of Servani for over two thousand years. It is visibly imprinted on the armor of the Juggernauts, the giant golems guarding the gates of Minrathous.

The astrariums for Bellitanus, Fervenial and Servani can be found in the Storm Coast.

Silentir[]

Commonly known as "Silence." Silentir is historically attributed to Dumat, the Old God of Silence, though its depiction is often debated. Some depict a dragon in flight, while the most common modern depictions show a man carrying a horn and a wand. Other scholars have speculated that the latter interpretation shows scales, which would point to the constellation being a supplantation of the elven goddess Mythal.

The astrariums for Kios, Silentir and Tenebrium can be found in Crestwood.

Solium[]

Commonly known as "the Sun." There are two common interpretations of Solium. The first is that it represents the fascination of the early Neromenians towards the Sun and Moon, and that Solium is a depiction of both celestial objects. The second is that Solim originally represented the elven god Elgar'nan, known as the "Eldest of the Sun." According to the scholar Andvan Therastes, the shape of the pyramids of Par Vollen perfectly matches the constellation Solium.^[18]

The astrariums for Eluvia, Equinor and Solium can be found in the Emerald Graves.

Tenebrium[]

Commonly known as "Shadow." Tenebrium is generally associated with Lusacan, the Old God of Night. However, as it is traditionally depicted as an owl rather than a dragon, even in Tevinter texts, some scholars believe that Tenebrium originally represented the elven god Falon'Din, who is sometimes represented as a giant owl in tales. Another explanation is that the owl is a nocturnal hunter and would have been considered a terrifying omen of loss to ancient cultures.

The astrariums for Kios, Silentir and Tenebrium can be found in Crestwood.

Toth[]

Toth is the only constellation still commonly known by its ancient Tevinter name. It is a direct representation of Toth, the Old God of Fire. It is traditionally depicted as a burning man, presumably a victim of the Old God, or as a flaming orb. Scholars of the Divine Age attempted to change its name to "Ignifir" but the attempt never caught on.

The astrariums for Fenrir, Satinalis and Toth can be found in the Western Approach.

Visus[]

Commonly known as "the Watchful Eye." Visus was a constellation of great importance to the Alamarri and Ciriane peoples. According to legend, the Lady of the Skies opened one eye so that the light from her gaze could lead her people safely through the Frostback Mountains. When Andraste and Maferath's armies marched north to wage war upon the Imperium, they were said to be guided by the Eye, which they believed to be the eye of the Maker rather than of the Lady of the Skies. A sword was later added to the depiction of the constellation. It is said that the star that marks the point of the sword only appeared after Andraste's death. The Inquisition took Visus as the symbol of their calling: the Eye representing both their search for maleficarum and the Maker's judgement upon their actions. When the Inquisition separated into the Seekers of Truth and the Templar Order, the former took the eye while the latter took the sword.

The astrariums for Belenas, Fulmenos and Visus can be found in the Frostback Basin.

Codex entries[]

Codex entry: Astrariums

Codex entry: Constellation: Belenas

Codex entry: Constellation: Bellitanus

Codex entry: Constellation: Draconis

Codex entry: Constellation: Eluvia

Codex entry: Constellation: Equinor

Codex entry: Constellation: Fenrir

Codex entry: Constellation: Fervenial

Codex entry: Constellation: Fulmenos

Codex entry: Constellation: Judex

Codex entry: Constellation: Kios

Codex entry: Constellation: Peraquialus

Codex entry: Constellation: Satinalis

Codex entry: Constellation: Servani

Codex entry: Constellation: Silentir

Codex entry: Constellation: Solium

Codex entry: Constellation: Tenebrium

Codex entry: Constellation: Toth

Codex entry: Constellation: Visus

Codex entry: Notes on the Stars

Codex entry: The Pyramids of Par Vollen

Trivia[]

Codex entry: The Emergent Compendium talks about an ancient magical tome that produced images and text on its own. One of its entries is said to have shown an eclipse. The scholar who examined the page described the image as "Two shadowed spheres among stars". The accompanying subtitles can be deciphered as "An eclipse as Fen'Harel stirred".

Notes[]

Constellations dai - unused texture assets — Unused constellation assets

The games have only ever shown one moon at a time.
Images of unused constellations can be found in the Dragon Age: Inquisition game files. Some of these images might have been repurposed in other ways.^[19]