Demons are all possible intermediary spirits between the otherworldly and earthly worlds. People associate demons with evil. But in pre- and non-Christian culture, demons were (and remain) not only evil and kind. There are good and bad demons, as well as those who do both good and evil. The science of demons is called demonology.
"Demon" means "full of wisdom." Good demons are called zudemons, and evil demons are called cacodemons. The word demon comes from the Greek term Diamon, that is, "divine power", "rock", "God". Daimons mediated between gods and humans. A good daimon could be a guardian spirit. A person was considered lucky if he had a demon nearby to help him. Guardian spirits whispered advice and correct decisions to their wards. Evil demons, by the way, misled people.
Throughout history, mages and sorcerers have had power over demons. Demons were often blamed for disease, misery, and possession. In ancient Egypt, there was a belief that if a sorcerer expelled some demon, then he automatically received power over him.
Jewish demonology - divides all demons into classes. According to Kabbalah, the power of darkness comes from the left trunk of the Tree of Life and especially from Geburah - the sphere of divine wrath. According to another version, demons were born from nightmares. Some sources believe that demons fill the space between the Earth and the Moon.
There are demons who, like angels, act at night, or evil spirits that cause illness. Some demons have a seal that can be used by a person who calls upon the dark forces.
In the Old Slavic pagan religious and mythological representations, evil spirits, demons were called demons.
With the development of Christian demonology, demons began to be associated exclusively with evil, already by their origin they were confidants of the devil. According to Christian teaching, light spirits are angels. According to the Bible, demons are fallen angels who followed Lucifer when he was cast out of heaven by God. Towards the end of the early Christian period, all demons began to be identified with the fallen angels. Satan was their supreme ruler. The only purpose of demons is to incite people to immoral acts and to stand between people and God.
In the Middle Ages and during the Renaissance, demons, as agents of the devil, became associated with witches and sorcerers.
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The systematization and classification of demons appeared at least 100-400 AD. e. The Christian demonologists of the 16th and 17th centuries listed demons according to their hierarchy in hell, assigning them various duties and attributes. So, for example, each demon represented a certain nationality of the world. Johann Weier, the compiler of the most complete hierarchy, has calculated that the total number of demons is 7,405,926 ordinary spirits, under the command of seventy-two princes of darkness. The books of cerimonial magic also provide their own hierarchy. Among the most powerful demons:
Asmodeus is a demon of depravity, jealousy, anger and revenge. He seeks to bring discord between husbands and wives, destroys young families, drives men to adultery. He is one of the demons that most often take possession of people. He is considered one of Satan's most malevolent demons. According to the descriptions, he has three heads: a man-eating giant, a ram and a bull. These creatures have the greatest sexual promiscuity. He has rooster legs and wings (the rooster is considered the most aggressive bird). He rides a fire-breathing dragon.
His image is rooted in ancient Persia. He was associated with the demon Aishma. The ancient Jews believed that the parents of Asmodeus were Naama and Shamdon. Asmodeus was one of the seraphim, angels closest to the throne of God, but fell out of favor. According to other sources, he was the husband of Lilith, the demon of lust. The legend of Asmodeus speaks of him as the offspring of Lilith and Adam.
In the Middle Ages, it was believed that witches obeyed the Asmodeus, and magicians called him for help, trying to turn his power against their enemies. Warlocks were advised to address him bareheaded out of respect for his power. Weier claimed that Asmodeus runs gambling houses.
Astaroth (or Ashtarot) is a demon with masculine properties, but evolved from the goddess of fertility Astarte. In the new incarnation, however, he weakly manifests his masculine nature. He patronizes scientists, has the secrets of the past, present and future. Astaroth is called upon during necromantic rituals of predicting the future. He appears in an angel with a human form. According to some sources, he is ugly, according to others, on the contrary, he is beautiful. Nevertheless, a terrible malice emanates from him. Weier says that Astaroth is the great prince of Hell, and under his command are 40 legions of demons. According to other sources, Astaroth is one of the three supreme demons of hell.
Baal - this name was borne by small deities in ancient Syria and Persia. However, the great Baal was a deity of fertility and agriculture. He was the son of El, the supreme deity of Canaan, and the ruler of life. He ruled the cycle of death and rebirth. The inhabitants of Canaan worshiped Baal and sacrificed children to him, throwing them into the fire. The Christian demon Baal was also three-headed: in the center it had a human head, and on the sides - a cat's and a toad's head. Baal could bestow wisdom and discernment.
Beelzebub - "lord of the flies." He was the prince of demons in Hebrew beliefs and in Christian teaching. In the Middle Ages, he was ascribed tremendous power. The sorcerers who called out to him risked death from apoplexy or suffocation. Having called Beelzebub, it was very difficult to drive him away. He appeared in the form of a giant ugly fly.
He ruled witches' covens. They chanted him during ritual dances.
Belial (Belial, Belial, Belial) - "vanity", "nothing", "heaven", one of the most powerful and evil demons of Satan. Belial appears before people in a deceptively beautiful appearance. His speech is pleasant to the ear, but he is deceitful and treacherous. Belial incites people to commit sinful acts, especially sexual perversion, lust and adultery.
The ancient Jews believed that Belial was created immediately after Lucifer and had an evil essence from birth. He was one of the first to rise up against God. After he was banished from heaven, he became the embodiment of evil.
Weyer believed that Belial commanded 88 legions of demons (6666 demons each) and was the representative of the devilish forces in Turkey. When he was called, it was necessary to make a sacrifice. Belial often broke promises, but if someone sought his favor, he was generously rewarded.
Lucifer, the "light-bearer," was originally associated with the morning star. In the hierarchy of demons, Lucifer is the emperor of hell and stands above Satan, one of his deputies. Lucifer, summoned by spells, appears as a beautiful child. He rules over Europeans and Asians.