Abstract: The subject of this article is the question of the authenticity, as well as the divine status of celestial maidens in Mari mythology. The images of celestial maidens (for example, Yumyndyr – the Daughter of Heaven/ God) in Mari mythology are archetypal. In addition, images of celestial maidens are found in the mythology of the Finns, Karelians, Komi and Mordvins. So, Komi is the famous daughter of the sun Zaran, Mordvins – Castorgo and Vecorgo, the daughters of the goddess Ange-Patiai. Among the heavenly maidens, in addition to Yumyndyr, Mari can be noted Piambar, Yymyndyr, Yuktalche, Pampalche, etc. Nevertheless, some researchers doubt the authenticity of the image of Yumyndyr in view of the fact that it is supposedly the only proper mythological image in Mari mythology. However, Mari still has a real myth about Piambar, the daughter of Kugo Yumo. In addition, images of celestial maidens are present in many Mari fairy tales, songs, and spells. The materials indicate that Yumyndyr and similar characters act as archaic deities who have retained their connection with the aquatic environment, the cult of ancestors, as well as their magical and protective functions. As a local deity, the goddess Piambar is still revered by some Mari groups. Thus, the divine status of celestial maidens in Mari mythology is complex and contradictory. On the one hand, the images of heavenly virgins are common and popular in folklore, incantation magic, on the other hand, they are modestly represented in rituals and prayers. However, in our opinion, this does not allow us to assert that the heavenly virgins in Mari mythology became only a "reduced" version of the former goddesses. Rather, we are talking about the complex evolution of images from matrix-centered deities to folklore, fairy-tale and local characters.

Keywords: Udmurts, Mordvins, Karelians, Finns, Mari, matriarchy, archetype, goddess, heavenly maiden, totemism