household deity
Domestic protective spirit
A household deity is a god or spirit believed to protect a home and its inhabitants.
Many cultures have traditions of such figures—Roman lares and penates, Chinese kitchen gods, Russian domovoi—honored through small shrines, offerings, or daily rituals.
The term applies both to traditional religious practice and to affectionate references: The cat has become our household deity.
One who safeguards others
- penatesRoman household guardian gods
- tutelaryServing as protector
- genius lociGuardian spirit of location
- watcherOne who observes
defender · keeper · safeguard · patron · sentinel · ward · threshold guardian · gatekeeper
Goddess of hearth
- penatesRoman household guardian gods
- kamiShinto sacred spirits
- agniAyurvedic metabolic energy
- polytheismBelief in multiple deities
pantheon · Shinto · folk religion · animism
Sacred ritual table
- hearthFireplace floor area
- sacred spaceArea reserved for worship
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- idolObject of worship
figurine · niche · candle · incense burner · devotional · sanctum · consecrated · ritual objects
Reverent petitions to deity
- offeringsThings presented or given
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- libationCeremonial drink offering
incense · sacrifice · devotion · propitiation · invocation · blessing · supplication · gratitude
Those from whom one descends
- forebearsAncestral family members
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- venerationProfound admiring respect
offerings · memorial tablet · progenitors · bloodline · genealogy · family altar · departed souls · ancestral rites
protector
One who safeguards others
- penatesRoman household guardian gods
- tutelaryServing as protector
- genius lociGuardian spirit of location
watcher · defender · keeper · safeguard · patron · sentinel · ward · threshold guardian · gatekeeper · custodian
Vesta
Goddess of hearth
polytheism · pantheon · Shinto · folk religion · animism
altar
Sacred ritual table
- hearthFireplace floor area
- sacred spaceArea reserved for worship
- iconPictorial screen symbol
idol · figurine · niche · candle · incense burner · devotional · sanctum · consecrated · ritual objects · votive
prayers
Reverent petitions to deity
- offeringsThings presented or given
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- venerationProfound admiring respect
libation · incense · sacrifice · devotion · propitiation · invocation · blessing · supplication · gratitude · piety
ancestors
Those from whom one descends
veneration · offerings · memorial tablet · progenitors · bloodline · genealogy · family altar · departed souls · ancestral rites · filial piety
household deitysky god
Deity ruling the firmament
creator god · storm god · sun god · war god · nature deity
house, household, households, householder, householders, housed, housing, houses, deity