demon
Quick Summary
In religious contexts, a demon is a spiritual being often associated with malevolence. The term originates from the Greek word daimon, meaning "supernatural being" or "spirit," which could be benevolent or malevolent. However, the dominant interpretation has shifted towards demons being evil spirits that hinder humans from achieving a proper relationship with the divine or well-being.12
In monotheistic religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, demons are often viewed as fallen angels who rebelled against God, with Satan being the chief adversary. These beings are believed to tempt humans into sin and cause various calamities, from natural disasters to mental disorders. In popular belief, demons are sometimes depicted as horrifying hybrid creatures.32
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BuddhismMythic figures in the Three Worlds cosmology…Asia, new gods, goddesses, and demons were incorporated into the cosmology (for example, in Southeast Asia the great Hindu gods Vishnu and Shiva were often depicted as devas). Despite these new mythic contents, however, the classic cosmological structure was kept remarkably intact.
Read More…Asia, new gods, goddesses, and demons were incorporated into the cosmology (for example, in Southeast Asia the great Hindu gods Vishnu and Shiva were often depicted as devas). Despite these new mythic contents, however, the classic cosmological structure was kept remarkably intact.
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IslamThe teachings of al-Suhrawardīabout as ghosts, demons, and devils. The creative power of the imagination, which as a human psychological phenomenon was already used by the philosophers to explain prophetic powers, was seized upon by the new wisdom as “divine magic.” It was used to construct an eschatology, to explain miracles,…
Read Moreabout as ghosts, demons, and devils. The creative power of the imagination, which as a human psychological phenomenon was already used by the philosophers to explain prophetic powers, was seized upon by the new wisdom as “divine magic.” It was used to construct an eschatology, to explain miracles,…
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Mesopotamian religionThe gods and demonsDemons played little or no role in the myths or lists of the Mesopotamian pantheon. Their domain was that of incantations. Mostly, they were depicted as outlaws; the demoness Lamashtu, for instance, was hurled from heaven by her father An because of her wickedness. The…
Read MoreDemons played little or no role in the myths or lists of the Mesopotamian pantheon. Their domain was that of incantations. Mostly, they were depicted as outlaws; the demoness Lamashtu, for instance, was hurled from heaven by her father An because of her wickedness. The…
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ZarathushtraGood and evil…populated by the daevas, the evil spirits (originally prominent old Indo-Iranian gods). The Wise Lord, together with the amesha spentas, will at last vanquish the spirit of evil, thus implying the end of the cosmic and ethical dualism.
Read More…populated by the daevas, the evil spirits (originally prominent old Indo-Iranian gods). The Wise Lord, together with the amesha spentas, will at last vanquish the spirit of evil, thus implying the end of the cosmic and ethical dualism.
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ZoroastrianismPre-Zoroastrian Iranian religion…in Sanskrit, a kind of demon, because of the baleful aspect of the asura’s invisible power. In Iran the evolution must have been different: the ahuras were extolled to the exclusion of the daevas, who were reduced to the rank of demons.
Read More…in Sanskrit, a kind of demon, because of the baleful aspect of the asura’s invisible power. In Iran the evolution must have been different: the ahuras were extolled to the exclusion of the daevas, who were reduced to the rank of demons.
Read More- ZoroastrianismGod
…to speak, a sort of antigod. This alteration probably dates back at least to the 4th century bce, for Aristotle said in the Peri philosophias (“On Philosophy”) that the Magi preached the existence of two principles, Oromasdes and Areimanios.
Read More…to speak, a sort of antigod. This alteration probably dates back at least to the 4th century bce, for Aristotle said in the Peri philosophias (“On Philosophy”) that the Magi preached the existence of two principles, Oromasdes and Areimanios.
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JudaismIntermediary beings: angels and demonsThe exact nature of nonhuman beings mentioned in Scripture—angels, or messengers (angel is derived from the Greek word angelos, which is the equivalent of the Hebrew word mal’akh, “messenger”)—is not altogether clear, and their roles seem ephemeral (see angel and demon). In the postexilic…
Read MoreThe exact nature of nonhuman beings mentioned in Scripture—angels, or messengers (angel is derived from the Greek word angelos, which is the equivalent of the Hebrew word mal’akh, “messenger”)—is not altogether clear, and their roles seem ephemeral (see angel and demon). In the postexilic…
Read More- JudaismMyth and legend in the Persian period
…the amesha spentas); and the demonic figures of Satan, Belial, and Asmodeus (corresponding to the Iranian Angra Mainyu [Ahriman], Druj, and Aēshma Daeva). There was also a preoccupation with apocalyptic visions of heaven and hell and of the Last Days. Unfortunately, no Jewish texts of this genre from the Persian…
Read More…the amesha spentas); and the demonic figures of Satan, Belial, and Asmodeus (corresponding to the Iranian Angra Mainyu [Ahriman], Druj, and Aēshma Daeva). There was also a preoccupation with apocalyptic visions of heaven and hell and of the Last Days. Unfortunately, no Jewish texts of this genre from the Persian…
Read More - prophecyProphecy and apocalyptic literature
…full blossom, with accounts of fallen angels (fallen stars) caught up in the forces opposed to God, frequently pictured in the old mythological motif of the struggle between darkness and light. Wild beasts symbolized peoples and nations, and there were esoteric calculations and speculations about the different eras through which…
Read More…full blossom, with accounts of fallen angels (fallen stars) caught up in the forces opposed to God, frequently pictured in the old mythological motif of the struggle between darkness and light. Wild beasts symbolized peoples and nations, and there were esoteric calculations and speculations about the different eras through which…
Read More - Talmud and MidrashAstrology, magic, and divination
The existence of a demonic kingdom was accepted by the rabbis without question. Evil spirits are invisible and fill the nether world. They avoid sunlight and concentrate in waters and deserted places. They also mingle with people, trouble them, and help them. They have passions and are born and…
Read MoreThe existence of a demonic kingdom was accepted by the rabbis without question. Evil spirits are invisible and fill the nether world. They avoid sunlight and concentrate in waters and deserted places. They also mingle with people, trouble them, and help them. They have passions and are born and…
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