From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Domovoi is the Russian spirit of the homestead, the word directly translating into "one of the house". He is usually portrayed as a small, perhaps 2 to 3 feet in height old friendly man, somewhat resembling a gnome in appearance. He is not considered a malicious presence, and might help with house chores or even be treated as an unseen part of the family--complete with milk and cookies being left for him in the kitchen overnight.
However, if the Domovoi is unhappy for one reason or another, it will play mischievous tricks on the members of the household. Things will move and rattle, dishes will fall and break, muddy little footprints will be left everywhere and other such minor mischief. Russian folklore dictates that an unhappy domovoi is a very negative thing, and that changes must be made in the way the household is run. If such changes are made to the Domovoi's satisfaction, things will return to normal. If not, then his tricks are likely to escalate in mischief level and the antics might start resembling that of a poltergeist.
Even so, the Domovoi was (and sometimes still is!) considered an integral part of a Russian household, and every house is said to have one. More often than not, the family lives in harmony with the presence, and no problems are encountered.
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