Discover the Radegast symbol meaning—the Slavic god behind Moravia’s best-selling beer. Learn about the myth and the logo.
Radegast beer has been recognized as Moravia’s best-selling brew, with the last available data confirming this status in 2009. Produced in Nošovice—just 170 km from Brno, near the borders of Poland and Slovakia—this beer has been crafted since 1970. Since 1999, it has been owned by Pilsner Urquell.
Named after the Slavic god Radegast, the beer embodies his legendary attributes. But why was this deity chosen as its namesake? The answer might lie in the beer’s slogan:
“Život je hořký: Bohudík”—a Czech phrase meaning “Life is bitter: Thank God.” This reflects both Czech humor and the beer’s distinct bitter taste.
What does the Radegast logo represent?
The Radegast beer logo features a stylized depiction of the Slavic god Radegast, holding a dove on a cornucopia. These symbols are deeply meaningful—
The dove represents peace, wisdom, and divine favor.
The cornucopia, or “horn of plenty”, symbolizes abundance and prosperity.
Radegast himself is a deity particularly significant for expats and travelers—he is the protector of cities, merchants, wanderers, and hospitality.
According to legend, Radegast punished those who refused to aid travelers but blessed those who welcomed strangers with kindness. Czechs who drink Radegast—take note! This god champions open-mindedness and hospitality over xenophobia.
The mysterious origins of the Radegast statue
The beer’s logo appears inspired by a famous statue of Radegast. The most well-known version was unveiled in 1931 on Mount Radhošť in the Beskydy Mountains. Yet, whether Radegast was truly part of the ancient Slavic pantheon is still debated. There is no historical evidence of an ancient idol on Radhošť, but myths of hidden pagan treasures persist.
The modern statue’s creation is credited to Albín Polášek (1879–1965), an American sculptor of Czech origin. In 1925, he carved Radegast in wood and later sculpted the over three-meter-tall stone version, now standing on Radhošť. A second original statue remained in Prague, where it was forgotten for decades until it was rediscovered and restored at the Prague Zoo.
By the time restoration began, the statue had deteriorated significantly—the dove and part of the cornucopia were missing, its surface was covered in moss, and deep cracks ran through the structure. Specialist Petr Lacina painstakingly restored it, even sourcing historically accurate materials from the Ostrava region. Today, visitors can admire the statue in Prague Zoo, where it remains on display.
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