Also called Raróg, Raroh, Rarach, Jarog.
Their story
In Czech, Slovak and Polish folklore the rarog is a fiery spirit that can take the form of a falcon, a whirlwind or a spark. Some Polish tales say that an egg kept on the stove for nine days and nights will hatch a raróg who brings good fortune to the house. Czech raroh simply means falcon. Some scholars link the name to Svarog and even to the name of Rurik, but these links are speculative.
Best times to give to them
- Koliada
- Kupala Night
- lighting the stove
What they like being given
- bread near the hearth
- a candle
- a feather
How to honour them
- Keep a falcon feather or image near your hearth or stove.
- Treat fire as a living presence: never leave it untended.
How they can help you
- warmth and home
- energy
- fire safety
Symbols
- a falcon
- sparks and flame
- an egg hatched on the stove
- a whirlwind
Links to Svarog and Rurik are scholarly guesses; the folk figure itself is regional and varied.
Sources
- Aleksander Gieysztor, Mitologia Słowian
- Oskar Kolberg, Lud
More Slavic beings
- Div The crying omen in the tree-top
- Vodyanoy The old man of the millpond
- Polevik The spirit of the fields
- Poludnitsa Lady Midday of the harvest fields
- Mavka Hollow-backed maiden of the Ukrainian woods
- Mora The night-mare who sits on the chest
- Zmey Gorynych Many-headed dragon of the byliny
- Firebird The glowing bird of the golden apples