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?

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

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

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	Kaveh	Kirara
Nahida	Tighnari	Traveler (Dendro)	Yaoyao
Beidou	Cyno	Dori	Fischl
Keqing	Lisa	Raiden	Razor
Sara	Shinobu	Traveler (Electro)	Yae Miko
Albedo	Chiori	Gorou	Itto
Navia	Ningguang	Noelle	Traveler (Geo)
Yun Jin	Zhongli	Ayato	Barbara
Candace	Furina	Kokomi	Mona
Neuvillette	Nilou	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	Clorinde	Columbina
Dainsleif	Dottore	Emilie	Iansan
Pantalone	Pierro	Pulcinella	Sandrone
Sethos	Sigewinne	Skirk	Tsaritsa
Varka

Character Lists