Svarog

Svarog is a deity in Slavic mythology, typically associated with the gods of fire and blacksmithing. He is often depicted as a giant or an old wise man, with knowledge and skills passed down from the gods.

Most legends describe Svarog as a heavenly smith who created the first fire on earth. According to some mythologies, he created fire by smiting an anvil on the mountain Carpathian Mountains with a hammer forged in the heavens. Other accounts insist that he brought fire down from the heavens, hiding it from the gods by extinguishing the flames.

Svarog is also said to have created various elements of the universe, such as light, heat, and iron. Some accounts even depict him as a god of thunder, responsible for the creation of lightning.

Worshipping of Svarog is always connected to black metalworking and control over fire. It is often feared and respected as a patron of mighty smiths and fierce warriors. As the god of fire, Svarog is associated with destructive power and burning pyres.

Svarog is mainly revered among Eastern Slavs, including modern-day Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians. The deity is not known among Western Slavs, who prefer other mounted fire and metalwork elements, like Heardus or Chmax. Despite his significance, Svarog remains a subject of scholarly debate, with limited amounts of research available about the origins and significance of the deity in his respective societies.