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Russian Folktales · Chapter

The Sun and How It Was Made by Divine Will explained

This chapter describes the divine mechanics of the Sun, explaining its size, the angelic retinue that dresses and undresses it daily, the role of fiery phoenixes and Ksálavy birds in cooling its rays, and the prophetic nature of the cock wh

What happens

This chapter describes the divine mechanics of the Sun, explaining its size, the angelic retinue that dresses and undresses it daily, the role of fiery phoenixes and Ksálavy birds in cooling its rays, and the prophetic nature of the cock whose crowing announces resurrection and light.

Themes in this chapter

  • Fate and Divine Justice

    The Sun's daily cycle is governed by divine will and angelic order, emphasizing a cosmic justice and ordained rhythm.

  • Magic and Transformation

    The phoenixes and Ksálavy birds undergo renewal by bathing in the ocean after their feathers are scorched, illustrating magical transformation.

Characters to notice

  • The Cock

    The cock is described as a prophet whose feathers warp when the Sun wanes and who crows three times to announce resurrection and light.

  • The Sun

    The Sun is depicted as a divine entity with a Tsar-like apparel and crown, attended by angels and birds.

Key passages

  • “The Sun is thirty times the size it appears: looks very small because it is very high up from the earth.”

    The Sun is actually thirty times larger than it seems; it appears tiny only because it is so far away.

    Explains the apparent size of the Sun due to distance.

  • “And when the Sun wanes to the West, then the angels strip off from him that garb and crown which would befit a Tsar, and lay it on the throne of the Lord.”

    At sunset, angels remove the Sun's royal garments and crown and place them on God's throne.

    Describes the angelic ritual at sunset.

  • “For this reason the cock is a prophet, and it has under its wings a white feather belonging to the other birds.”

    That is why the rooster is considered a prophet, and it keeps a white feather from the other birds under its wings.

    Explains the cock's prophetic nature and its special feather.

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