Who are the Seven Archons in Genshin Impact?

In Genshin Impact, there are beings in Teyvat more powerful than mortals—the god-like Archons. Inheriting their power directly from Celestia, these beings are called The Seven, and each rule over a nation of Teyvat.

Some Archons witnessed the war that led to the Cataclysm 500 years ago, while others rose to their status directly after. They each hold a Gnosis that represents the Element in line with the nation they rule, which the Cryo Archon is trying to collect for reasons unknown.

All Genshin Impact Archons & what we know about them

Archons play a huge role in pushing Genshin Impact's story forward. If you're curious about who they are and what they've been up to, I've compiled a list of all Archons and everything we know about them. Be warned: this article is full of spoilers.

Anemo Archon: Venti

• Archon Name: Barbatos
• Gnosis Element: Anemo
• Divine Ideal: Freedom
• Nation: Mondstadt
• Weapon: Bow
• Character Info: Venti

The drunken bard, Venti, is one of the few original Archons who has never been replaced. He started life out as a simple elemental wind spirit during the Archon War. He befriended a young boy from Mondstadt during this time, who taught him to sing and play the lyre. These two remained friends for some time until the boy lost his life, an unfortunate casualty of the nation's revolt against the God of Storms, Decarabian. In an unexpected twist, the fall of the God of Storms imbued Venti with great power as the new Anemo Archon, and he used this power to alter his appearance in honor of the friend he had lost.

As the God of Freedom, Venti prefers to take a back-seat approach with the nation of Mondstadt. He believes the people of Mondstadt should be able to think and choose for themselves, not relying on gods, and so he removed himself from public view long ago. He has since reappeared in Mondstadt as an unassuming traveling bard, singing tales of his exploits and drinking Dandelion Wine to blend in with the mortals. His Gnosis was stolen by the Fatui Harbinger, La Signora.

Geo Archon: Zhongli

• Archon Name: Morax / Rex Lapis
• Gnosis Element: Geo
• Divine Ideal: Contracts
• Nation: Liyue
• Weapon: Polearm
• Character Info: Zhongli

Zhongli is the oldest member of The Seven and is also the original Geo Archon. He has experienced much of Teyvat's history firsthand, including the Cataclysm, and gained his status as Geo Archon through participating in—and surviving—the Archon War. Before establishing Liyue and leading the Adepti, Zongli was also originally the co-ruler of the Guili Assembly alongside the God of Dust, Guizhong.

After years of leading the people of Liyue toward prosperity, Zhongli decided to step down and let humanity take control of their lives in his absence. To this end, Zhongli faked his own death and started to live amongst the mortals as a consultant for the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. He no longer has his Gnosis, as he appears to have given it to the Cryo Archon as part of a yet unknown agreement.

Related: Celestia Location and Release Date in Genshin Impact

Electro Archon: Ei / Raiden Shogun

• Archon Name: Beelzebul (publicly known as Baal)
• Gnosis Element: Electro
• Divine Ideal: Eternity
• Nation: Inazuma
• Weapon: Polearm
• Character Info: Raiden Ei

The moniker Baal was once held by a pair of twin sisters, Makoto and Ei. Makoto would act as the face of the Raiden Shogun, making public appearances and attending meetings, while Ei assumed the role of the Kagemusha, acting as the Raiden Shogun's blade in the shadows. The two sisters lived happily this way until the Cataclysm struck, claiming Makoto's life and causing Ei to seclude herself from the world. Ei was greatly affected by the loss of her sister and so began experimenting with ways to craft a copy of Makoto.

She created multiple puppets, including Scaramouche, and cast them aside until there was a puppet worthy of acting as a vessel for the divine: the person we now know as the Raiden Shogun. Satisfied with her work, Ei then retreated into her Plane of Euthymia, leaving the task of governing Inazuma and the title of Raiden Shogun to her creation. Obsessed with attaining Ei's dream of an unchanging Inazuma, the Raiden Shogun then enacted the Vision-Hunt Decree, claiming that Visions and ambition are a threat to her ideal of Eternity. The Electro Gnosis was held by Ei's only friend, Yae Miko, who surrendered it to the Fatui Harbinger, Scaramouche.

Dendro Archon: Nahida

• Archion Name: Buer
• Gnosis Element: Dendro
• Divine Ideal: Wisdom
• Nation: Sumeru
• Weapon: Catalyst
• Character Info: Nahida

Nahida, also called Lesser Lord Kusanali, is the youngest Archon who appeared amidst the Cataclysm 500 years ago. She was looked down on by the Sumeru Akademiya and was imprisoned in the Sanctuary of Surasthana for most of her life. She has a unique ability to be able to speak to people in their dreams and has shown to be incredibly wise despite being locked up her whole life. When the crisis in Sumeru was resolved, and the locals regained their respect for the Dendro Archon, Nahida lived amongst the people without holding a grudge. She surrendered the Dendro Gnosis to the Fatui Harbinger, Il Dottore, in exchange for crucial information about the Descenders.

While Nahida's origins were largely unknown for most of history, it was later revealed that the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata was the original Dendro Archon who preceded Nahida. Before her death, she erased her existence from the memories of everyone in Teyvat, cut off the purest branch of the Irminsul, and used it to create Nahida—her incarnation.

Hydro Archon: Furina

• Archon Name: Focalors
• Gnosis Element: Hydro
• Divine Ideal: Justice
• Nation: Fontaine
• Weapon: Sword
• Character Info: N/A

Furina is the overdramatic Hydro Archon who rules over Fontaine, where she oversees all of the court proceedings in the Opera Epiclese. She was the creator of the Oratrice Mecanique d'Analyse Cardinale, which deals judgment upon the guilty—regardless of the Iudex Neuvillette's final verdict. Despite being the Hydro Archon, Furina had shown to be extremely weak and was unable to defend herself when the Fatui Harbinger, Arlecchino, tested her with a small scare on an unassuming night. In fact, she was so scared that she cried herself to sleep. She's also shown to be unable to manage negotiations on her own, often relying on the Neuvillette to speak for her.

While Fontaine's story is still developing, we'll find out more about Furina, her origins, and everything that led up to who she is today.

Related: What is Snezhnaya in Genshin Impact?

Pyro Archon: Murata

• Alias: Murata, God of War
• Gnosis Element: Pyro
• Divine Ideal: War
• Nation: Natlan
• Weapon: N/A (She appears to have wielded a Claymore in the past)
• Character Info: N/A

Murata is the Pyro Archon overseeing the nation of Natlan. She is described by Venti as being a wayward, warmongering wretch, and ancient warriors used to perform rites of combat and celebrate victories in her name. It's important to know that while Murata is said to be the current Pyro Archon, it's currently impossible to confirm whether she's still alive or if a new Pyro Archon has been crowned in her absence.

Cryo Archon: Tsaritsa

• Alias: The Tsaritsa
• Gnosis Element: Cryo
• Divine Ideal: Love (formerly)
• Nation: Snezhnaya
• Weapon: N/A
• Character Info: N/A

The Tsaritsa is the enigmatic and mysterious Cryo Archon, ascending to godhood at some point before the Cataclysm. She created the Fatui organization and directly ordered the Harbingers to do her bidding, using them to enact her plan of divine revenge while remaining within the walls of Snezhnaya. These agents are deeply devoted to her and never hesitate to enforce her will.

The Tsaritsa was involved in an unknown tragedy in the past, possibly related to the Cataclysm, which caused her to become embittered and disillusioned with Celestia. She has since been described as a god with no love left for her people, nor do they have any love left for her. The Cryo Archon is currently collecting the gnosis' of other Archons and plotting a rebellion against Celestia, but not much else is currently known about her.

Learn more about Genshin's antagonists by checking out Who are the Eleven Fatui Harbingers in Genshin Impact? here on Pro Game Guides.