household spirits

Home-dwelling supernatural beings

Household spirits are supernatural beings believed to inhabit and protect a home.

Found across many cultures—from Roman lares to Slavic domovoi to Scottish brownies—these entities guard the dwelling and its occupants, sometimes helping with chores if treated respectfully.

Neglecting or offending them supposedly brings misfortune.

The concept reflects ancient beliefs that homes possess their own spiritual presence.

Related
  • boggartTroublesome household spirit
  • duendePassionate artistic soul-force
  • brownieDense chocolate baked square
  • guardianProtective caretaker of another
  • pookaIrish shapeshifting fairy

penates · hobgoblin · manes · poltergeist · sprite · kobold · good folk · wee folk · gremlin · imp · water nymph · shade · changeling · fairy tale · old wives tale · kitchen witch

Categories
Opposites
dwelling attachment

household spiritswandering spirits

Souls with unfinished business

restless spirits · wandering souls · lost souls · free spirits · ghosts

wildness vs. domesticity

household spiritsnature spirits

Supernatural beings in landscapes

forest spirits · mountain spirits · elemental spirits · dryads · nymphs

disposition toward humans

household spiritsmalevolent spirits

Harmful supernatural beings

evil spirits · demons · poltergeists · night terrors · banshees

Family

household, house, hold, households, houses, housed, housing, householder, householders

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G