Rugiaevit, Rugievit (Latin: Rugiaeuit[1]) or Ruyevit is a god of the Slavic Rani worshipped on Rügen, mentioned in only two sources: Gesta Danorum and in Knýtlinga saga.

Saxo describes how the stronghold had three temples dedicated to Rugiaevit, Porevit and Porenut and the destruction of the idol of Rugiaevit in June 1168:[3][4] The main temple was located in the middle of its vestibule, but both were closed off by purple cloths instead of walls, the roof supported only on separate columns.

[1] Then, after overthrowing the idols of Porevit and Porenut, Bishop Absalon ordered all three to be taken outside the town to be burned there so as not to expose the village to fire.

Saxo here describes a superstition related to sexual acts, but it is not clear with which god this superstition is associated:[3][4] ... For that reason they were asked to take the statues out of the city, but they refused for a long time, because they feared that they were going to lose mobility in the limbs that they used to comply with the order, as the god would demand punishment for it, and they tried to excuse their disobedience with religion.

Finally, convinced by the warning of Absalon to spurn the power of a god who could not help itself, having accepted the expectation of impunity, they quickly obeyed his order.

For, in effect, in this city the men would lay with the women joined in sexual congress in the manner of dogs and they could not separate themselves no matter how hard they tried, sometimes both, fastened to posts on opposite sides, would exhibit before the people the ridiculous spectacle of their strange union.

Often scholars propose to read the name as Ruyevit; Aleksander Gieysztor suggests combining the first part of this reading with the root ru- existing in such words as řuti "to roar", ruja "roar of deer", "estrous, heat" (as well as "fertility"[6]), which occurs in the Old Russian word rujenь – a term for one of the autumn months that falls during the time of the estrous cycle[4] (cf.

He notes that during the Middle Ages, princely and royal authorities chose as their capital cities or towns where the largest cult centers were located, and cites Kyiv or Uppsala as examples.

On the basis of comparative mythology, he considers Rugiaevit to be the chief god of the Rani, as evidenced by the most magnificent temple in the middle of the castle, a purple color, statue made of oak, who leads the battle and is the ruler of Rügen and the Rugian community.

On the other hand, he considers Porevit and Porenut as divine twins who complement the chief deity with their universal qualities.