Domovoi

A domovoi (Russian: домово́й; literally, "he of the house") is a house spirit in Slavic folklore. Domovois (the correct plural form is domovye) are masculine, typically small, and sometimes covered in hair all over. According to some traditions, the domovye take on the appearance of current or former owners of the house and have a grey beard, sometimes with tails or little horns. There are tales of neighbours seeing the master of the house out in the yard while in fact the real master is asleep in bed. It has also been said that domovye can take on the appearance of cats or dogs, but reports of this are fewer than of that mentioned before. Domovoi can have several meanings: Domovoi is a household spirit in Slavic mythology and folklore In Artemis Fowl, Domovoi is the name of Artemiss faithful bodyguard, known only as Butler. His full name is Domovoi Butler. ... Image File history File links Domovoi. ... Image File history File links Domovoi. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Slavic mythology and Slavic paganism evolved over more than 3,000 years. ...

Folklore

Traditionally, every house is said to have its domovoi. It does not do evil unless angered by a family’s poor keep of the household, profane language or neglect. The domovoi is seen as the home's guardian, and he sometimes helps with household chores and field work. Some even treat them as part of the family, albeit an unseen one, and leave them gifts like milk and biscuits in the kitchen overnight. To attract a Domovoy, go outside of your house wearing your best clothing and say aloud "Dedushka Dobrokhot, please come into my house and tend the flocks." To rid yourself of a rival Domovoy, beat your walls with a broom, shouting "Grandfather Domovoy, help me chase away this intruder." When moving, make an offering to the Domovoy and say "Domovoy! Domovoy! Don't stay here but come with our family!"

The favorite place for these spirits to live is either the threshold under the door or under the stove. The center of the house is also their domain. The domovoi maintains peace and order, and rewards a well-maintained household. Peasants feed him nightly in return for protection of their house. When a new house was built, the Polish homeowner would attract one of the domovoi by placing a piece of bread down before the stove was put in, and the Russian one would coerce the old house's domovoi to move with the family by offering an old boot as a hiding place. People made sure they only kept animals the domovoi liked, as he would torment the ones he did not. Salted bread wrapped in a white cloth would appease this spirit, and putting clean white linen in his room was an invitation to eat a meal with the family. Hanging old boots in the yard was another way to cheer him.

Domovoi Peeping at the Sleeping Merchant Wife, by Boris Kustodiev.

The domovoi was also an oracle, as his behavior could foretell or forewarn about the future. He would pull hair to warn a woman of danger from an abusive man. He would moan and howl to warn of coming trouble. If he showed himself, it forewarned of death, and if he was weeping it was said to be a death in the family. If he was laughing, good times could be expected, and if he strummed a comb there would be a wedding in the future. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Self-Portrait in front of Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra, 1912 Boris Mikhaylovich Kustodiev (Russian: ) (March 7, 1878–May 28, 1927) was a Russian art deco painter. ... Consulting the Oracle by John William Waterhouse, showing eight priestesses in a temple of prophecy An oracle is a person or persons considered to be the source of wise counsel or prophetic opinion; an infallible authority, usually spiritual in nature. ...

The domovoi does have a more malicious side. Although one's own domovoi could be considered an ally, the domovoi from a neighboring household brought no happiness. Russian folklore says that a domovoi could harass horses in the stable overnight, as well as steal the grain of a neighbour to feed his own horses. Still, domovye could befriend one another and were said to gather together for loud winter parties.

If a domovoi becomes unhappy, it plays nasty tricks on the members of the household. Those include moving and rattling small objects, breaking dishes, leaving muddy little footprints, causing the walls of a house to creak, banging on pots and moaning. If the family can determine the cause of their domovoi's discontent, they can rectify the situation and return things to normal. If not, the spirit's tricks may escalate in intensity, coming to more closely resemble those of a poltergeist (cf. tomte), or he may threaten to stifle people in their beds (this myth is likely to be based on sleep paralysis). More often than not, however, families live in harmony with the spirits, and no problems arise. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... One of Jenny Nyströms Christmas-themed tomte paintings, a popular image of the modern tomte A tomte or nisse is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore, believed to take care of a farmers home and barn and protect it from misfortune, in particular at night, when the... The Nightmare, by Henry Fuseli (1781) is thought to be one of the classic depictions of sleep paralysis perceived as a demonic visitation. ...

Variant spellings

• Bulgarian: Stopan
• Croatian: Domaći
• Czech: Dědek
• Polish: Domowoj
• Russian: Домовой (domovoi)
• Serbian: Домаћи (domaći)
• Slovene: Domovoj
• Ukrainian: Домовик' (domoik)

Serbian (; ) is one of the standard versions of the Shtokavian dialect, used primarily in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, and by Serbs in the Serbian diaspora. ...

Popular culture

• Following the October Revolution, the Bolshevik campaign to organise a "House Committee" (i.e. a tenants' committee) in every apartment house was the source of numerous jokes since "Domovoi Komitet" (Committee of the House) could be construed as meaning "a committee of domovye".
• In Artemis Fowl, Domovoi is the name of Artemis's faithful bodyguard, known only as "Butler". His full name is Domovoi Butler.
• In Quest for Glory 4, a Domovoi is involved in one of the side quests needed to complete the game and was found at night in the inn.
• Domovye also feature prominently in an episode of the cartoon series The Real Ghostbusters.
• In the PS2 video game series Shadow Hearts, the Domovoy appears as a monster.

For other uses, see October Revolution (disambiguation). ... Bolshevik Party Meeting. ... The term Artemis Fowl may refer to several things. ... Domovoi Butler, usually referred to simply as Butler, is a fictional character in the Artemis Fowl series of books by Eoin Colfer. ... The Real Ghostbusters was an American animated television series based on the hit 1984 film Ghostbusters. ...

See also

• Household deity
  • Brownie (mythology) (Scotland and England)
  • Tomte (Scandinavia)
  • Lares (Roman)
• Tonttu, aka Haltija (Finland)
  • List of Lithuanian household gods
• Kikimora, aka Shishimora
• Kobold (German)
• Legendary creature
• Sprite

This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... A signature Cox Brownie A brownie/brounie or urisk (Lowland Scots) or brùnaidh, ùruisg, or gruagach (Scottish Gaelic) is a legendary kind of creature popular in folklore around Scotland and England (especially the north). ... One of Jenny Nyströms Christmas-themed tomte paintings, a popular image of the modern tomte A tomte or nisse is a mythical creature of Scandinavian folklore, believed to take care of a farmers home and barn and protect it from misfortune, in particular at night, when the... Lares (pl. ... Tonttu or haltija is a Finnish version of the Swedish Tomte. ... Austėja Aitvaras Baubis Beržulis Bubilas Dimstipatis Dirvolira Dvargantis Gabija Gabjauja Ganiklis Jagaubis Javinė Jievaras Karvaitis Kirnis Kerpyčius Krugis Krūminė Laukpatis Lauksargis Pagirnis Patrimpas Pergrubrijus Ragutis Raugupatis Šilinytis Vaižgantas Žaltys Žemėpatis ... 1934 Illustration by Ivan Bilibin Kikimora is a female house spirit in Slavic mythology, sometimes said to be married to the Domovoi. ... Kobolds are spirits of German folklore. ... A legendary creature is a mythological or folkloric creature (often known as fabulous creatures in historical literature). ... This article is about the legendary or mythical sprite. ... Slavic mythology and Slavic paganism evolved over more than 3,000 years. ... Dazbog, Dazhbog or Dazhdbog (South-Slavic Dabog or Dajbog, Czech Dažbog, Polish Dażbóg) was one of major gods of Slavic mythology, most likely a solar deity and possibly a culture hero. ... This article contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... This article contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ... In Slavic mythology, Perun (with many spelling and pronunciation variants among modern Slavic languages) is the highest god of the pantheon and the god of thunder and lightning. ... In Slavic mythology, Å iwa or Å iva (pronounced /ʃiva/) (alternatively Živa (pronounced /Ê’iva/) or Sieba, was the fertility and love goddess. ... The Zbruch idol, on display in the National Museum in Kraków, Poland Modern Svetovid statue in GÅ‚ogów, Poland Modern Svetovid statue in Otrebusy, Poland Sventevith, Svetovid, Suvid, Svantevit, Svantovit, Svantovít, Swantovít, Sventovit, Zvantevith, ÅšwiÄ™towit, Sutvid, Vid. ... In Slavic mythology, Svarog (Polish: Swaróg, Cyrillic: Сварог, Sorbian: Schwayxtix) is the Slavic Sun God and spirit of fire; his name means bright and clear. ... Triglav (three headed) is a god or complex of gods in Slavic mythology, similar in nature to the Trinity in Christianity or Trimurti in Hinduism. ... Veles, Volos, Weles, or Voloh is a Slavic god, thought to be the deity of: cattle, commerce, music, divination and the underworld. ... In Slavic neo-paganism, Zaria or Zoria is the goddess of beauty. ... In Slavic mythology, the Zorya (alternately: Zarya, Zvezda, Zwezda) are the three (sometimes two) guardian goddesses, known as the Auroras. ... In Slavic mythology, Belabog (alternately Bialbog, Byelobog, Bielobog, Belun, Bylun) (bel-oh-bog | byal-bog | bel-oon, from Slavic bel, byal (white or light) and bog (god), literally meaning White God) is a solar deity in the Slavic pantheon. ... Berstuk or Berstuc is the evil god of the forest in wendish mythology. ... Chernobog (also spelled Crnobog, Czernobog, ÄŒernobog or Zernebog, each name meaning Black God) is a mysterious Slavic deity of whom much has been speculated but little can be said. ... In Slavic and Polish mythology, Dziewona (or Zewana) is the equivalent of Diana, whose name is said to appear very late in Slavic history. ... Hurs or Hors is the Slavic god of the winter sun. ... Flins is the god of death in Wendish mythology. ... In wendish mythology Karewit is the protector of the town of Korzenica (nowadays Garz) on Rugia. ... Lada or Lado is a fictional Slavic pagan diety of harmony, merriment, youth, love and beauty which almost certainly never existed in the ancient Slavic pantheon. ... Mat Zemlya, also Matka Ziemia (literally Mother Earth, various other names are in use as well) is the collective term applied to a number of Slavic deities devoted to plants, growth, birth, creation and patrons of field works. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Matka Ziema. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Dodola (also spelled Dudulya and Didilya, pronounced: doh-doh-la, doo-doo-lya, or dee-dee-lya) is a being in old Slavic mythology. ... Porenut was one of the Slavic deities worshipped by the Polabian Slavs in the town of Korzenica (nowadays Garz) on Rugia. ... Porewit was one of the Slavic deities worshipped by the Polabian Slavs in the town of Korzenica (nowadays Garz) on Rugia. ... In Polish mythology, Porvata is the god of the woods; he has no idol or image; and is manifest throughout the primeval forest. ... // Radegast, also called Radigost, Radhost, Redigast, is a hypothetical West Slavic god of hospitality, fertility, and crops, associated with war and Sun. ... Rod, sometimes referred to simply as god (Div, Diy; in the Veda Slovena Diy or Dia), is probably the most ancient deity in the Slavic pantheon. ... Rugiewit or Rugiwit is a Slavic deity. ... Stribog (Strzybog, Стрибог), in the Slavic pantheon, is the god and spirit of the winds, sky and air; he is said to be the ancestor (grandfather) of the winds of the eight directions. ... In wendish mythology Zirnitra or simply Zir is a black Slavic dragon and the god of sorcery. ... In Polish mythology, ZÅ‚ota Baba is a goddess called Golden Woman. She received many sacrifices and gave oracles, depicted in gold. ... Bogatyrs (1898) by Viktor Vasnetsov Alyosha Popovich (Russian: ), alongside Dobrynya Nikitich and Ilya Muromets, is a bogatyr (i. ... Bash Chelik (Man of Steel) is a famous Serbian folklore tale. ... Burislav, Burisleif, BurysÅ‚aw is the name of mythical Wendish king from Scandinavian sagas who is said to rule over Wendland. ... Bogatyrs (1898) by Viktor Vasnetsov Alongside Alyosha Popovich and Ilya Muromets, is a bogatyr (i. ... For the Russian bomber Ilya Muromets, see Ilya Muromets. ... Viktor Vasnetsov. ... Lech by Walery Eljasz-Radzikowski (1841-1905) Duke Czech Lech, Czech and Rus oaks in Rogalin, Poland According to an old legend, Lech, Czech and Rus were eponymous brothers who founded the three Slavic nations: Poland (poetically also known as Lechia), Bohemia (ÄŒechy – now the major part of the Czech... PÅ™emysl and LibuÅ¡e, sculpture by Josef Václav Myslbek (1881), today in VyÅ¡ehrad LibuÅ¡e (Czech; in German Libussa or Libuscha) is a mythical ancestor of the PÅ™emyslid dynasty and the Czech people as whole. ... The tower where, according to legend, Popiel perished Prince Popiel (or Duke Popiel), legendary 9th century ruler of the Polanie or Goplanie tribe. ... Contemporary fresco of Marko, Markos monastery, Skopje, Macedonia, 14th century This article is about the epic Serbian prince. ... Sadko, Palekh painting Sadko (Russian: ) was a legendary hero of a Russian bylina (epic tale) with the same name, a merchant and gusli musician from Novgorod. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Ivan Bilibins Alkonost In Russian legends Alkonost is the bird of paradise, a miraculous bird with a womans face. ... Cikavac is a mythical creature in Serbian mythology, imagined as a winged animal (a bird) with long beak and a sack[1]. A cikavac could be acquired by taking an egg from a black hen, which would then be carried by a woman under her armpit for 40 days, during... In Russian folklore, the Firebird (жар-птица, zhar-ptitsa, literally ember bird from жар ember, flameless fire) is a magical glowing bird from a faraway land, which is both blessing and doom of its captor. ... The fern flower is a magic flower in Slavic mythology (Polish: , Russian: ) and Baltic mythology (e. ... Gamayun is a prophetic bird of Russian folklore which lives on an island in the east. ... Raskovnik is a fictional plant in Serbian mythology. ... Semargl, Simargl, Semargl-Pereplut is a mythical creature in Slavic mythology. ... Sirin bird on a grape tree. ... Dobrynya Nikitich slaying Zmey Gorynych, by Ivan Bilibin Dobrynya Nikitch rescues Princess Zabava from Zmey Gorynych, by Ivan Bilibin In Slavic mythology, European dragons have their peculiarities. ... To farmers, ala was a demon that led hail and thunderstorms over their fields, ruining the crops. ... Yaga can refer to: Yajna (Hindu mythology) Baba Yaga (Russian mythology) Yaga (clothing company) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Bagiennik was the name of water demons in the Slavic mythology. ... Bannik is the Bathhouse Spirit in Slavic mythology. ... This article needs cleanup. ... The Boginki (Polish for Little Goddess) are spirits in Polish mythology. ... Bukavac is a demonic mythical creature in Serbian mythology; belief about it existed in Srem[1]. Bukavac was sometimes imagined as a six-legged monster with gnarled horns[1]. He lives in lakes and big pools, coming out of the water during the night making big noise (hence the name... Drekavac /drekavats/ (literally the yeller) is a mythical creature in south Slavic mythology. ... Skarbnik in Wieliczka salt mine. ... 1934 Illustration by Ivan Bilibin Kikimora is a female house spirit in Slavic mythology, sometimes said to be married to the Domovoi. ... Ivan Bilibin: Koshchey the Deathless In Russian mythology, Koschei (Russian: , Koshchey, also Kashchei or Kashchey or KoÅ›ciej (Polish)) is an evil person of ugly senile appearance, menacing principally young women. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Lechies. ... One-eyed Likho by Anton Kvasovarov, 2003 Likho, liho (Russian: Лихо), licho (in Polish) is an embodiment of evil fate and misfortune in Slavic mythology, a creature with one eye, usually depicted as an old, skinny woman in black (Лихо одноглазое, One-eyed Likho). ... A Polevik is a Slavic mythological creature that hid in corn fields. ... Rusalka may refer to: Rusalkas, Slavic water nymphs. ... The skrzak or skrzat is a little flying imp in wendish mythology. ... Stuhać is a demonic mythical creature in Serbian mythology, recorded in Herzegovina[1]. Though its name is similar with zduhać, there is no actual similarity. ... The Sudice are the Fates of Polish mythology. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Topielec (plural Topielce) is a name applied to Slavic spirits of water. ... Further reading Christopher Frayling - Vampyres: Lord Byron to Count Dracula 1992. ... Wodjanoj or Vodyanoy (literally watery) in Slavic mythology is the male water spirit, a master shape-shifter who is said to live in a whirlpool, or in an underwater palace made from the treasures of sunken ships. ... Zduhać (plural: zduhaći; pronounce: zdoo-hach /s. ...

References

• Herbert Gottschalk, Lexicon Der Mythologie. Safari-Verlag. Berlin. 1973.