The sky and his sons

For a Slav to pray to the sky is not merely metaphoric. The sky is the superior being above all others. Father of all the gods. His name, Svarog is derived from the word 'svar' that means bright and clear. Svarog is believed to be the father of two children. They were the sun, called Dazhbog, and fire who was named Svarogich('son of Svarog').

Fire was brought to earth through lightning from the sky. After a storm Svarog would split the clouds causing the darkness with his arrows of lightning. More or less the same idea was applied to sunrise. This is why Svarog was seen to be one to give life to these two divinities.

The sun is seen as a mighty king. Some Slavs prayed to Svarogich and fire is still seen as a respectable element. Children weren't allowed to swear or make a loud noise at the moment of lighting a fire in the house. Both sons of Svarog were treated with great respect.