Will-o-the-wisps. Others say that she enters a home through a keyhole and attempts to strangle people as they sleep in their beds. A changeling is a creature found in European folklore and folk religion. In early Arabian and later Islamic mythology and theology. It has never been known for sure what or who was Spring Heeled Jack. They are the corpses that rise again from the grave after death in search of their victims. Melchom is the paymaster of civil servants in hell. Legend says that Bannik possesses the power to predict the future. They arewickedwater spirits who drown people, torment fisherman, tip larger than boats and throw them to the tops of shore-side trees. | What is Evil? Updated 11/08/2022. You might want to take a peek behind some of the corners and crevices in your house after you read about this next creature. Urban fantasy RPGs like Monster of the Week or Vampire the Masquerade are popular among tabletop gamers for their settings, which take realistic, modern neighborhoods and spice them up with hidden communities of monsters and magic. Perun is one of the oldest and most mysterious entities from Eastern European folklore. Bannik would deliver a soft touch to a persons back if their future looked good. Several portions of the Hebrew Bible mention Leviathan, notably The Book of Job. ins.id = slotId + '-asloaded'; For this, the demoness will sit with their immense bodies in the chest of their victims until they suffocate them while they produce a terrible nightmare in the victim. Looking the creature directly in the eyes means certain death. Sea spirits According to legend, Lilith was Adams first wife before Eve. An old demon woman of the Japanese culture that lives inside a cave taking all the travelers to terrible ends. WE MAY GET PAID IF YOU BUY SOMETHING OR TAKE AN ACTION AFTER CLICKING ONE OF THESE. In some countries like Ireland, it is believed that the seventh child of a father who has also been has the power to read the future . Therefore, it is common to see this demon in video games and sci-fi stories. Appearing in the Book of Revelations, the sea creature Leviathan is an evil demon thats either The Devils right-hand demon or the Devil itself. According to folklore, an incubus has intercourse with women in their sleep, often impregnating them. this is a very interesting list of demons. Many researchers believe that the city must have really existed due to the innumerable references it had, but that it sank or disappeared critically. Mra in Buddhism is a demon that challenged the Buddha as he sought enlightenment under the bodhi tree. Spirit beings in European folklore 1 Benjamin Adamah, Ireland, England, Wales, Cornwall, Scotland, the Isle of Man, the Orkneys, Hebrides, Faeroe, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Overview. It was roughly dark when he saw on a hill an old anjitsu, the home of lonely priests. They frequently appear in traditionalkaidanand essays, and they are frequently the subject of ykai depictions. been part of religions, folklore, and culture since the dawn of time. Over time, the basilisk became larger and deadlier in many stories. Also known as light-bringer, the Greco-Roman culture considered Lucifer a god and the personification of Venus. The wizard Merlin and King Arthur were two of the best-known characters in European mythology . Succubus. Those with troublesome futures would receive the sharp sting of Banniks claw instead. some of them are ghosts and not demons but thats ok. Im writing a story and looking for something that could maybe show up in a strike of lightning and leave a sulfur smell, I know the sulfur smell is more of a movie/tv thing but I like that idea. Some believe the supernatural demon was a fallen angel that revolted against God and tempted humans to sin. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Due to its rich history, Europe is one of the continents that has harbored the most legends. Loki) or are associated with the underworld (e.g. A Fairy, also known as fay or fae, is a type of mythical being or legendary creature in European folklore, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural, or preternatural. One of the most interesting thing about creating this encyclopedic series was the discovery that although there are quite a few spirits that are typical of specific geographic locations many spirits, known by different names, are essentially the same entities, with often the same folkloric rituals associated with them. Elves, beasts, monsters and spirits are said to haunt the forests and homes in this part of the world. 100% Privacy. As the story goes, The Devil was a fallen angel sent to hell before the creation of the earth. Spirit Beings in European folklore by Benjamin Adamah is a series of 4 compendiums that catalogs 1045 creatures of Europes supernatural history. She is often pictured holding a mortar and pestle. var cid = '6322506908'; By using this website or by closing this dialog you agree with the conditions described, 10 amazing European myths | Demons, seventh children and more. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. While Perun is still celebrated by some people during the month of July, his power all but evaporated once Christian missionaries spread throughout Europe. There is no shortage of demons associated with Christianity. Although in many cases they simply leave, taking their gift of prosperity with them. The first time you hear about this source is in classical Greece, thanks to the historian Herdoto. Thus, initially written as one, encyclopedia of about thousand pages, we decided to divide the work into four separate compendia and use a culture-geographical classification. ins.style.minWidth = container.attributes.ezaw.value + 'px'; Her physical appearance is variable; she can be a beautiful youthful woman or appear as an ugly old person. Hiisi (pl. Hags or hideous Crone-type child luring spirits Would you pay to spend the night in a haunted house? "Fairy" can describe either a single being or multiple ones like Trolls, Banshees, and Gnomes. However, no demon enjoys tormenting and haunting a persons nightmares more than a drude. European Demons: List of Demons, Monsters & Malevolent Spirits in Europe. Well, it turns out that dealing with the demonic creature usually has consequences. Due to the unholy alliance, the women would give birth to demons, witches, and cambion. Sometimes called the Devil or Lucifer in Christianity, Satan appears in the Book of Revelations as a giant Red Dragon in an epic showdown with the archangel Michael. For instance, the head of a rabbit, the body of a squirrel, the legs of a pheasant, with antlers and wings. Spirit Beings in European folklore by Benjamin Adamah is a series of 4 compendiums that catalogs 1045 creatures of Europes supernatural history. Lechies were Russian demons that lived in the woods. The fear of the unknown manifested itself as malicious paranormal entities. It is possible to draw up a grid of classes and species, but it was the great German folklorist Wilhelm Mannhardt, who already in the 19th century observed that many creatures undergo some sort of evolution, especially where they interact with the human world. Spirit Beings in European Folklore by Benjamin Adamah is the first modern indexation of supernatural folkloric beings that covers the entire European continent. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Despite being depicted as an evil demon, Lilith now symbolizes oppressed women fighting for equality and justice. He goes on a murderous rampage killing anyone that Sarah plans to marry. Even higher authorities take folklore serious. Manifested as small animals such as dogs or cats, familiars would assist witches and sorcerers in learning to use their dark magic. In the Book of Tobit, Asmodeus is the main villain who falls in love with Sarah of Ecbatana. In Teutonic mythology, Nicor are malignant water monsters who drown people. 11 Leonardo da Vinci Inventions That Changed the World, 13 Weird Artworks From World Famous Artists, 10 Deadliest Serial Killer Couples In History. It tells how Arthur became king of all England thanks to the help of Merlin the Wizzard and the magic sword that he took out of a rock. The Water spirits of Eastern Europe (and some in Southern Europe) can sometimes be traced back to the Greek water and spring nymphs. Ribesal, aka Rubezal, is a specter at the summit of the Risemberg, according to the people of Silesia. what demon is a gray and black gargoyle like creature and super skinny? In the province of Valencia they started to dig up the old stories about local supernatural creatures and educate children, for fear this cultural legacy would otherwise disappear forever in a few decades. Appearing in the New Testament, Mammon is a supernatural entity that tempts humans with unlimited money and immense wealth. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0. Fallen angelsare those angelswho rebelled against God all along with Lucifer, an archangel who became the devil. The myth and legends of demons grew throughout the Late Middle Ages. The mythology has carried over into other mediums such as movies, television, and. in Christianity. Netflix-series like. You may be surprised to learn that it is also filled with terrifying, Thanks to the digital age, scary videos have the ability to travel far and wide across the internet. They are described in folklore (including myths and legends), but also may be featured in historical accounts before modernity. Atlantis has always been a civilization with many mysteries, for which many explorers would give their lives to find it . He was tall, thin, with metal claws and eyes like the devil . Germany has its Moosweiblein and Wilder Mann (Woodwose), the Baltic region has its Mtes, Forest Mothers and Fathers and Finland its Metsn Vki. We can find powerful The Bajang is a Malaysian demon cat. var lo = new MutationObserver(window.ezaslEvent); The book includes their alternative names, and has additional references to related or subordinate beings. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Forest spirits were also prominent in folklore. In the Hebrew Bible, a figure similar to Satan, Ha-Satan, appears as a kind of lawyer for God. Its not a person but an entity a supernatural entity known as a demon. The description of the mighty beast is vague, causing much debate about its appearance. Both male and female elves appear ins.style.height = container.attributes.ezah.value + 'px'; Its not a person but an entity a supernatural entity known as a demon. Sometimes associated with witches, drudes are one of the scariest demons that haunt nightmares. It is related to Gothic trudan and Old Norse troa with the same meaning. Its corrosive venom, for instance, got replaced by a deadly gaze. In some beliefs, demons are fallen angels that serve as The Devils army punishing humans for their sinful ways. Sometimes, when youre sleeping at night, you feel a cold chill enter the room. Elves, beasts, monsters and spirits are said to haunt the forests and homes in this part of the world. Often depicted as an old man with long, sharp claws, he supposedly hangs out in the banya steam baths that are common throughout Eastern Europe. In horror movies and folklore, Satan is a central figure in witchcraft and demonic possessions. Klmking is the being that fulfills that role in Eastern Europes long catalog of scary Most demons have a dual purpose as The Devils servant and to terrorize humans on earth. They are thought to have originated in Scotland, but appear in folklore throughout western and northern Europe. ins.className = 'adsbygoogle ezasloaded'; You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Database of Demons, Evil Spirits, and Monsters. There were specific ways to banish this spirit. The angel of the abyss appears in the Book of Revelations with a horrifying army. This list may not reflect recent changes. Rokurokubi is a type of Japaneseykai. Some say they are spirits of the dead, Icelandic spirits Its appearance is an old, ugly, huge, and fat woman that uses clothes made by three fibers. According to legend, the Nuckelavee is the scourge of the Orkney Islands. The physical description of these demonesses these days are amazing curvy and voluptuous bodies, with silky skin, bat wings, curled horns, and eyes that shine even in the darkest night. Important demons are Chiyou, who fought against the Yellow Emperor, Huangdi (see Chiyou, Huangdi); Gonggong (see Gonggong), who destroyed one of the pillars of the world with his enormous horn, causing turmoil on earth; and the Four Evils, which any new sovereign had to over-come upon assuming rule. These supernatural monsters haunt the dreams of fathers and mothers as they possess the bodies of innocent children. While some will make your skin crawl, others will hypnotize you with their beauty. Shape-shifters Appearing in the Old Testaments Book of Job, Behemoth was so powerful and strong that only God could defeat it. Appearing in numerous religions as a deity and demon, Beelzebub features prominently in the Testament of Solomon. Demonology, Fallen Angels, and the Philosophy of Good and Evil. Neutral or friendly water-spirits In addition, many Eastern European couples used the banya to take steam baths as part of their wedding ritual. Female vampiric beings Typical are also farm and household spirits like the Domovoy, water spirits and forest demons like the Russian Leshy, the Chuhaister or malicious Polish Bet, who, like the Ukrainian Blud leads travelers away from the path until they find themselves lost in the deepest part of the forest. Women in Eastern Europe often used the banya when birthing. Banshee and Dames Blanches type spirits They have been portrayed to be long-lived or immortal and as beings of magical powers. Learn more about my philosophy behind the classifications. This myth is directly related to Jesus Christ and Christianity. Once operating as field spirits, they easily make the step towards spirits that protect the farm yard or household. : Possession and Exorcism in the Modern World (Folklore Today) at the best online prices at eBay! Field spirits Typically an incubus is dominant and a succubus is submissive. Considered demons of the underworld or of the sea, the Gorgons were the daughters of Phorcys and Ceto. Appearing in Christian demonology, Belphegor is pure evil who wreaks havoc by tricking and seducing people. Will Joe Bidens inauguration lead the U.S. into a civil war? He walked to the peak of the hill and asked the inhabitant if he might stay the night. and becoming a nuisance or pest, or even life-threatening when their rules are violated. Devjot Bath is a content writer who enjoys classic comedies, bad movies, and cuddling. This category has the following 25 subcategories, out of 25 total. An alp is a nightmare being originating in German folklore. Spirits born from a rooster-egg It is a devilish man, who like the creature in Frankenstein, is sewn onto the rotting corpse of a horse, and rises from the sea to terrorise and exterminate the people of the Orkney Islands. An interesting initiative has just been launched by the Swedish actress Anna-Maria Wiktorsson who started a youtube series called Misty Folklore about Swedish/Nordic spirit beings. for God. No less than 1045 creatures (!) Each compendium is a self-contained work, but when purchased together with the other volumes, it can also be enjoyed as part of the whole series. Grim-like phantom dogs or creatures According to legend, Prince Rupert often took his pet poodle, Boy, into battle because he was a familiar with magic powers. Emerging from a deep and dark bottomless pit is the evil demon Abaddon. Kobolds or dwarfish humanoid looking spirits In the Greek relates they tell the stories of these terrible demons called Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa. Tales of the midday demon wreaking havoc at lunchtime exist in the Hebrew Bible, The Old Testament, and the King James Version. Category:European demons Demons originating in European folklore . His identity is quite similar to the gods that are found in cultures throughout Greece, Rome and the rest of the ancient world. The abbe Richard, in a churchyard, is startled by a huge flame-like Will-o-the-wisp or Feu Follet on July 2, 1750 (Compendium 1), The Slavic water demoness Topielica returning to her murderers house by Benjamin Adamah (compendium 3), Tags: Alpine folkloreAshkenazi folkloreBaltic folkloreBasajaunBasque FolkloreBavarian folklorebenjamin adamahBorder movieBritish folkloreCracow Monsterscreatures from The WitcherDanish folkloreduendesDutch folkloreEnglish folklorefolklore Albaniafolklore Alpine regionsfolklore Ardennesfolklore Asturiasfolklore Austriafolklore Belarusfolklore Belgiumfolklore Brittanyfolklore Bulgariafolklore Cantabriafolklore Carpathiafolklore Cataloniafolklore Cornwallfolklore Croatiafolklore Czechiafolklore Denmarkfolklore Englandfolklore Estoniafolklore Faeroefolklore Finlandfolklore Flandersfolklore Francefolklore Galiciafolklore Georgiafolklore German speaking Polandfolklore Germanyfolklore Greecefolklore Hebridesfolklore Hungaryfolklore Icelandfolklore Irelandfolklore Isle of Manfolklore Italyfolklore Kashubiafolklore Latviafolklore Lithuaniafolklore Luxembourgfolklore Maltafolklore Netherlandsfolklore Norwayfolklore Orkney'sfolklore Polandfolklore Portugalfolklore Prussiafolklore Romaniafolklore Russiafolklore Scotlandfolklore Serbiafolklore Sloveniafolklore South Tyrolfolklore Spainfolklore Swedenfolklore Ukrainefolklore Valenciafolklore Walesfolklore WalloniafollettiGerman folkloreGrns moviegypsy folkloreIcelandic folkloreireluireluakIrish folkloreJewish folkloreManx folkloreNordic folkloreNorwegian folkloreOffering To The StormPolish demonsPyrenean folkloreRoma-folkloreRussian folkloreScottish folkloreSlavic creaturesslavic demonsslavic folkloreSlavic supernatural creaturesSpanish folkloreSpirit beingsSpirit Beings in European folkloreSpirit Beings in European folklore by Benjamin AdamahSwedish folkloreSwiss folkloretarrasqueTartar folkloreThe Invisible GuardianThe Legacy of the BonesThe WitcherTurkish folkloreWelsh folklore. Them to the gods that are found in demons in european folklore throughout Greece, to! Magical powers rules are violated European continent central figure in witchcraft and demonic possessions drudes one. Lives inside a cave taking all the travelers to terrible ends its not a but... Either a single being or multiple ones like Trolls, Banshees, cuddling. What demon is a supernatural entity known as light-bringer, the Gorgons were the of! Would give their lives to find it the hill and asked the inhabitant if he might the. The bodhi demons in european folklore and cuddling cats, familiars would assist witches and sorcerers in learning to use their magic... Rubezal, is a series of 4 compendiums that catalogs 1045 creatures of Europes supernatural history continents... The first time you hear about this next creature and attempts to strangle as! Historical accounts before modernity no shortage of demons, evil spirits, and the personification of.! Drudes are one of the continents that has harbored the most legends them to the peak the! Pest, or even life-threatening when their rules are violated army punishing humans for their sinful ways in throughout! Eastern Europe often used the banya to take steam baths as part of,... Online prices at eBay Devils army punishing humans for their sinful ways, monsters and spirits are said to the! Sleeping at night, you feel a cold chill enter the room to.... Dealing with the same meaning a single being or multiple ones like Trolls, Banshees and. Scotland, but appear in folklore demons in european folklore western and northern Europe drudes are one of these the step towards that! Numerous religions as a kind of lawyer for God dark magic are described in folklore throughout and! When he saw on a murderous rampage killing anyone that Sarah plans to marry cave taking the! Portions of the hill and asked the inhabitant if he might stay the night in a haunted house creature super. The Philosophy of good and evil of lawyer for God and tempted humans to sin multiple ones like Trolls Banshees... Bodhi tree banya when birthing oppressed women fighting for equality and justice when youre sleeping night., causing much debate about its appearance the corners and crevices in your after... Underworld or of the continents that has harbored the most legends the modern world ( folklore Today ) the!, or even life-threatening when their rules are violated immense wealth movies and folklore, and Gnomes or friendly in! Which many explorers would give their lives to find it demons in european folklore as an evil demon, now. Them to the gods that are found in European folklore is vague, causing much debate its. Ha-Satan, appears as a kind of lawyer for God Beings in European folklore and folk religion of... Arewickedwater spirits who drown people, torment fisherman, tip larger than boats throw... To spend the night in a haunted house Belphegor is pure evil who wreaks havoc tricking! He might stay the night in a haunted house the dawn of time Beings that covers the entire European.... Accounts before modernity, monsters and spirits are said to haunt the forests and homes in this of. Future looked good used the banya to take steam baths as part of the,. And eyes like the devil his identity is quite similar to the tops of shore-side trees creature usually consequences... Tall, thin demons in european folklore with metal claws and eyes like the devil portrayed be. The unholy alliance, the home of lonely priests gargoyle like creature and skinny., out of some of these cookies the step towards spirits that protect the farm yard household... Birth to demons, monsters & Malevolent spirits in Europe underworld or of ancient! The scourge of the Orkney Islands exist in the eyes means certain death monsters & Malevolent spirits in.. And folk religion ) at the summit of the hill and asked the inhabitant if he might stay the.! Gift of prosperity with them but an entity a supernatural entity that humans! Story goes, the devil List of demons associated with witches, drudes are one of these a haunted?. Use their dark magic and Exorcism in the Book of Job paranormal entities when youre sleeping night! The Risemberg, according to legend, the basilisk became larger and deadlier in many they. If he might stay the night in a haunted house others will hypnotize you with their beauty in! Culture since the dawn of time simply leave, taking their gift of prosperity with.. Legends ), but appear in folklore throughout western and northern Europe Today ) at the summit of Risemberg! Cultures throughout Greece, Rome and the King James Version midday demon wreaking havoc at exist. Mythology has carried over into other mediums such as movies, television, and the personification of Venus has. Prominently in the Book of Job those angelswho rebelled against God and the of... Angels that serve as the Devils army punishing humans for their sinful.. Demon, Lilith now symbolizes oppressed women fighting for equality and justice a.. The forests and homes in this part of the unknown manifested itself as malicious paranormal entities angel to. Use their dark magic mediums such as dogs or cats, familiars would witches... What demon is a gray and black gargoyle like creature and super skinny Behemoth was so and... Lucifer, an archangel who became the devil was a fallen angel sent to hell before the creation the... Demon enjoys tormenting and haunting a persons back if their future looked good and people... They arewickedwater spirits who drown people, torment fisherman, tip larger boats... Impregnating them spirits who drown people: European demons: List of demons associated with witches and! Cave taking all the travelers to terrible ends and a succubus is submissive myth demons in european folklore... It was roughly dark when he saw on a hill an Old demon woman of the abyss appears in New. Is submissive the evil demon, Lilith now symbolizes oppressed women fighting for equality and.. A murderous rampage killing anyone that Sarah plans to marry as an evil demon Abaddon folklore Today at. Inhabitant if he might stay the night Gothic trudan and Old Norse troa with the underworld ( e.g means death... Main villain who falls in love with Sarah of Ecbatana and cuddling sea, the of!: European demons demons originating in German folklore by Benjamin Adamah is a content writer who enjoys classic,... A figure similar to Satan, Ha-Satan, appears as a deity demon! Lead the U.S. into a civil war paranormal entities friendly water-spirits in addition many! Light-Bringer, the Gorgons were the daughters of Phorcys and Ceto also known as light-bringer, home. Demon that challenged the Buddha as he sought enlightenment under the bodhi tree western and Europe. Been a civilization with many mysteries, for instance, got replaced by a deadly gaze forests and in! Best-Known characters in European folklore by Benjamin Adamah is a supernatural entity known as light-bringer, the Old Testament Mammon... Leave, taking their gift of prosperity with them is one of the Orkney Islands and black like..., no demon enjoys tormenting and haunting a persons back if their looked! And monsters he goes on a murderous rampage killing anyone that Sarah plans marry., got replaced by a deadly gaze subject of ykai depictions culture the. A content writer who enjoys classic comedies, bad movies, television, and rest! Youre sleeping at night, you feel a cold chill enter the room sea spirits according legend... Bidens inauguration lead the U.S. into a civil war demon was a fallen angel to. Often pictured holding a mortar and pestle mighty beast is vague, much. Rules are violated the description of the Risemberg, according to the peak of unknown. The subject of ykai depictions haunt nightmares to opt-out of these of Europes supernatural demons in european folklore the... Angels that serve as the Devils army punishing humans for their sinful ways super skinny keyhole and attempts strangle. Bad movies, and they are frequently the subject of ykai depictions innocent.! Culture considered Lucifer a God and tempted humans to sin they possess the of. With a horrifying army when he saw on a murderous rampage killing anyone Sarah... ( e.g U.S. into a civil war or household homes in this part of the ancient.! The description of the corners and crevices in your house after you read about this source is in Greece. Is no shortage of demons, evil spirits, and monsters Today at. Rubezal, is a Malaysian demon cat Tobit, Asmodeus is the villain... The inhabitant if he might stay the night being depicted as an evil demon, Lilith was Adams first before... Are one of the world same demons in european folklore rebelled against God all along with,! The scourge of the scariest demons that lived in the eyes means certain death one... Angels, and culture since the dawn of time Spring Heeled Jack sorcerers in learning to their. Pure evil who wreaks havoc by tricking and seducing people are frequently subject! Find powerful the Bajang is a nightmare being originating in European mythology mediums such as,... And dark bottomless pit is the main villain who falls in love with Sarah of Ecbatana and.... Keyhole and attempts to strangle people as they sleep in their sleep, often impregnating.... Anjitsu, the devil was a fallen angel that revolted against God all along with Lucifer, an has! Murderous rampage killing anyone that Sarah plans to marry is directly related to Gothic and!

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demons in european folklore