Demon

Abraxas, from the Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology

A type of spirit that interferes in the affairs of people. The term "demon" means “replete with wisdom” and is derived from the Greek term Daimon.

Overview

Excerpts from The Encyclopedia of Demons and Demonology:

The daimones were both good and evil and even included deified heroes.

In most cultures, demons are troublesome rather than helpful; some are evil. In Christianity, all demons are evil and serve Satan for the purpose of subverting souls. Demons can cause unpleasant hauntings, often involving infestation, opression and possession. The study of demons is called demonology. Like angels, demons are numberless.

Hierarchy

Hierarchy of demons listed in the Book of Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage.

The Chief Spirits

• Lucifer

• Leviatan

• Satan

• Belial

The Eight Sub-Princes

• Astarot

• Magot

• Asmodee

• Belzebud

• Oriens

• Paimon

• Ariton

• Amaimon

Known demons by mythology

Even though some of the following entities do not fit the usual description of a demon, they have been referred to as such in their respective mythology.

Japanese Mythology

• Yōkai
• Oni
• Kappa
• Kitsune
• Tengu
• [[Inugami]
• Yuki-onna

Greek Mythology

• Manticore

Hebrew Mythology

• Succubus
• Incubus

Gallery

Beelzebub

Mephistopheles

Belial

Moloch

Mors

Depiction of The Devil

Buer

Barbatos

Amon

Agares

Baphomet

Popular Culture

Succubus

Incubus

Belial.png

Belial

Lesser Demon

Greater Demon

Demon Lord

Demon Valkyrie

Fomorian

Related terms

• Demoniac
• Yōkai

References

• Ebon, Martin. The Devil’s Bride, Exorcism: Past and Present. New York: Harper & Row, 1974.

• Finlay, Anthony. Demons! The Devil, Possession and Exorcism. London: Blandford, 1999.

• Flint, Valerie I. J. The Rise of Magic in Early Medieval Europe. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1991.

• Fortea, Fr. Jose Antonio. Interview with an Exorcist: An Insider’s Look at the Devil, Diabolic Possession, and the Path to Deliverance. West Chester, Pa.: Ascension Press, 2006.

• Goodman, Felicitas. How about Demons? Possession and Exorcism in the Modern World. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1988.

• MacNutt, Francis. Deliverance from Evil Spirits: A Practical Manual. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Chosen Books, 1995.

• Martin, Malachi. Hostage to the Devil. New York: Harper & Row, 1987.

• Oesterreich, T. K. Possession: Demonical and Other Among Primitive Races, in Antiquity, the Middle Ages and Modern Times. New Hyde Park, N.Y.: University Books, 1966.

• The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha. Vols. 1 & 2. Edited by James H. Charlesworth. 1983.

• Reprint, New York: Doubleday, 1985.

• Thomas, Keith. Religion and the Decline of Magic. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1971.

• Trachtenberg, Joshua. Jewish Magic and Superstition: A Study in Folk Religion. New York: Berhman’s Jewish Book House, 1939.