What are the Heavenly Principles

Heavenly Principles in Genshin Impact is the authority that oversee the entirety of Teyvat, including the Archons. The Traveler first encountered the Heavenly Principle as the Unknown God during the opening act. See what the Heavenly Principles are and everything we know about them in this guide!

Who are the Heavenly Principles?

The First Descender

The Heavenly Principles or the Unknown God is referred to by Nahida as the "First Descender". So far, Descenders are beings who are not originally from Teyvat, and currently, the only named among them are the Heavenly Principles and the Traveler.

As to where these "Descenders" descended from, or what criteria is being a Descender bound to, Nahida and the those from the upper echelon of the Fatui Harbingers seem to know, but no one has divulged any information about them yet.

Who and What are the Descenders?

Created the Four Shades

During the battle of the Heavenly Principles against the Seven Sovereigns and the Dragon King which lasted for 40 years, the Heavenly Principles (likely named Phanes), created the four Shining Shades for reasons unbeknownst to any.

Only two of the Four Shades are named: Istaroth, the Shade of Time who had contributed to the rise and fall of human civlizations since the beginning of time, and Ronova, the Ruler of Death, who helped Yohualtecuhtin establish Natlan's Night Kingdom.

As for the two other unnamed Shades, Neuvillette alluded about how the Usurper appointed their own God of Life (as opposed to him being the original one), suggesting that this God of Life could be another Shade.

An Authority Greater than the Archons

It can be remembered from Nahida's dialogue with the Dottore during the Archon Quest Chapter 3: Act 5, Akasha Rises, the Kalpa Flame Rises that she implied the arrival of the Heavenly Principles is so-dire of a consequence that the Doctor is not willing to make.

This means that the Heavenly Principles or the Unknown God is an authority so powerful, that even a Fatui Harbinger who vows to seize the power of the Gods isn't willing to make a bet on.

Also, in Zhongli's story quest Act 2: No Mere Stone, the Geo Archon mentioned that Erosion is something that the Heavenly Principles have imposed on him, suggesting yet another superiority of the Heavenly Principles over the Archons.

The Archons and the Gnoses

Gnoses symbolize and serve as the conduit of an Archon's status and power, but it seems like these emblems represent a far more powerful force that is the Heavenly Principles.

Since the Fatui Harbingers are hellbent on seizing each Gnosis of the Seven Archons of Teyvat, it's highly likely that they know more than they let anyone on.

The Cataclysm of Khaenri'ah

The Cataclysm is a significant point in history from 500 years ago that led to a series of equally dire and drastic events that are interconnected to one another.

From the Archon Quest Chapter 1: Act 4, We Will Be Reunited the Abyss Twin was seen to have witnessed the fall of Khaenri'ah—with all the floating strings of crimson cubes, same kind of power that the Heavenly Principles possess.

Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's Revelation

And back to Greater Lord Rukkhadevata's story about what happened during the Cataclysm 500 years ago, it seems like all the Archons but her were summoned to the Nation of Khaenri'ah because of an impending doom.

What can be gathered from here is that the Heavenly Principles have something to do with the fall of this great nation and had been lying dormant since then, and had managed to overpower 6 Archons that had gathered in Khaenri'ah for the aforementioned doom.

Who is the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata?

Egeria's Punishment

500 years ago, the former Hydro Archon Egeria created Fontainians from the Oceanid kind. The Heavenly Principles punished Egeria as she created humans behind their back.

As punishment, Fontaine will eventually be flooded with Primordial Seawater to cleanse Egeria's creations with the Hydro Archon weeping on her throne.

Egeria Voice Actor and Character Profile

Currently “Asleep”

During the Bedtime Story Quest, the Abyss Twin mentioned that the Heavenly Principles haven't woken up ever since the Cataclysm 500 years ago. Although, the Abyss Twin isn't exactly sure what would trigger their awakening, they are sure that the Heavenly Principles will wake up eventually.

Chapter 4 Act 6 Archon Quest - Bedtime Story

In-game Mentions and Appearances

Archon Quest Chapter 1: Act 4

Archon Quest Chapter 1: Act 4 Guide

Archon Quest Chapter 3: Act 5

Archon Quest Chapter 3: Act 5 Guide

Archon Quest Chapter 4: Act 5

Archon Quest Chapter 4 Act 5 Guide

Archon Quest Chapter 4: Act 6

Archon Quest Chapter 4 Act 6 Guide

Genshin Impact Related Guides

All Characters and Voice Actors

List of All Characters

Characters by Element
Pyro	Anemo	Electro	Hydro
Dendro	Geo	Cryo

Playable Characters

All Playable Characters
Faruzan	Heizou	Jean	Kazuha
Lynette	Sayu	Sucrose	Traveler (Anemo)
Venti	Wanderer	Xianyun	Xiao
Aloy	Ayaka	Charlotte	Chongyun
Diona	Eula	Freminet	Ganyu
Kaeya	Layla	Mika	Qiqi
Rosaria	Shenhe	Wriothesley	Alhaitham
Baizhu	Collei	Emilie	Kaveh
Kinich	Kirara	Nahida	Tighnari
Traveler (Dendro)	Yaoyao	Beidou	Clorinde
Cyno	Dori	Fischl	Keqing
Lisa	Raiden	Razor	Sara
Sethos	Shinobu	Traveler (Electro)	Yae Miko
Albedo	Chiori	Gorou	Itto
Kachina	Navia	Ningguang	Noelle
Traveler (Geo)	Xilonen	Yun Jin	Zhongli
Ayato	Barbara	Candace	Furina
Kokomi	Mona	Mualani	Neuvillette
Nilou	Sigewinne	Tartaglia	Traveler (Hydro)
Xingqiu	Yelan	Amber	Arlecchino
Bennett	Chevreuse	Dehya	Diluc
Gaming	Hu Tao	Klee	Lyney
Thoma	Xiangling	Xinyan	Yanfei
Yoimiya

Upcoming Characters

All Upcoming Characters
Alice	Capitano	Chasca	Citlali
Columbina	Dainsleif	Dottore	Iansan
Ifa	Mavuika	Ororon	Pantalone
Pierro	Pulcinella	Sandrone	Skirk
Traveler (Pyro)	Tsaritsa	Varka

Character Lists