Domovoi
The Domovoi is a protective house spirit in Slavic folklore. Domovois are masculine, typically small, bearded, and sometimes covered in hair all over. According to some traditions, domovye take on the appearance of current or former owners of the house and have a grey beard, sometimes with tails or little horns. Traditionally, every house is said to have its own Domovoi who lives either in the stove, under the threshold, in the cattle shed, or in the stables. The center of the house is also said to be their domain.The domovoi is seen as the home’s guardian, and if he is kept happy he maintains peace and order and rewards the household by helping with household chores and field work. To stay in his good graces, his family leaves him gifts such as milk, porridge, tobacco, bread, and salt. If angered by the family’s slovenliness, disrespect, or abuse, the domovoi acts in a way resembling a poltergeist but is rarely harmful.
