The hearth is not only a source of heat and light, but also a symbol of home comfort and family happiness. Since ancient times people believed that in the hearth lives
domovoi - a good or evil spirit that protects the house and its inhabitants. Therefore, it was necessary to follow certain rules of handling the hearth, so as not to anger the domovoi and not to attract trouble.
One such rule was to clean the ashes out of the hearth before leaving the house. Ash is the residue from burned wood that may contain sparks or embers. If ash is left in the hearth, there is a risk that it could ignite from an accidental spark or gust of wind and cause a fire. A fire can destroy the house and all property, as well as harm the life and health of people and animals.
Ash is a symbol of dirt and disorder, which can attract negative energy and bad luck, if you leave ashes in the hearth, you can break the harmony and cleanliness in the house, as well as offend the houseboy, who loves order and coziness.
The houseboy can take revenge on the owners for their negligence and cause them various troubles: illnesses, quarrels, crop failure, theft, losses, etc. Therefore, you should always clean the ashes from the hearth before leaving home to prevent fire and preserve the well-being of the family. This will also help to maintain a good relationship with the houseboy and receive help and protection from him. A cleaned hearth is a sign of respect for the house and its keeper.