Post by Nickolla on Nov 20, 2008 13:58:37 GMT -5
Demon:
In religion, folklore, and mythology a demon (or daemon, dæmon, daimon from Greek: δαίμων [ðaïmon]) is a supernatural being that is generally described as a malevolent spirit. In Christian terms demons are generally understood as fallen angels, formerly of God. A demon is frequently depicted as a force that may be conjured and insecurely controlled.
Archdemon:
In Biblical tradition, an archdemon is a spiritual entity, prominent in the infernal hierarchy.[citation needed] Essentially, an archdemon is the counterpart of an archangel. Archdemons are described as the leaders of demonic hosts, just as archangels lead choirs of angels.
In the Occult tradition, there is controversy regarding which demons should be classed as archdemons. During different ages, some demons were historically 'promoted' to archdemons, others were completely forgotten, and new ones were created. In ancient Jewish lore, pagan gods of neighbouring cultures were classed as extremely pernicious in order to protect Jews from worshiping them; therefore, Baal and Astarte were among the worst enemies of God. During the Middle Ages these characterizations were no longer important, but still persisted. New ones emerged, mostly revolving around Satan and the Antichrist.
In the Occult tradition, the stub, also referred to as the reversed Penta/Pentagram, is the "doorway" for the Demon of the given tradition through which it will enter this world if given a right Sacrifice. It is also said to fuel the wearer/user with the power of the Satanic host/superior.
The origin is not well known, but the most common theory is that the stub is a flawed David's star, which is a sacred symbol in Judaism, the oldest of 3 monotheistic religions ( Judaism, Christianity, Islam ). Probably most counter-religions/cults to them were using that symbol ever since. David's star has 6 points, while the stub has only 5, which makes it a "powerful" symbol, yet opposite to the "good" symbol, making it "evil".
Demons have traits from both animals and humans in their physical appearance.
In early Christian theology, Satan or the Devil was seen as chief of all other demons. But soon this changed and Hell was divided in several hierarchies of demons. This was presumably due to the division of angels in hierarchies or choirs taken from Judaism (see angelology), and as demons were angels before, their organisation had to be similar.
During the Middle Ages, many other schema were proposed, some drawing on and expanding on Pseudo-Dionysius, others suggesting completely different classifications. One of these divisions is offered by Sebastien Michaelis, who divided demons in three hierarchies (first, second and third), not making allusion to their rulers (see Michaelis' classification of demons).
Soon this division took another sense, and nobility titles were granted to demons as if they were part of an earthly monarchy. Demons were Great Marshals, Knights, Presidents, Great Presidents, Earls, Great Earls, Dukes, Great Dukes, Marquises, Great Marquises, Princes, Great Princes, Kings, Great Kings, and the ruler of all them the Emperor. As in the earth, some of them had more than one title. Curiously the titles of Baronet, Baron, Viscount and Viceroy were not used. It is unclear if Earl was used as a synonym of Count, or with the ancient meaning of Eorl (Old English for 'nobleman, Prince, Warlord, chief of soldiers'), because the Latin term 'comes' has both meanings. Other hierarchies mention physicians, superintendents, demons in charge of keeping the fire of Hell lit, etc. The rest of the demons were divided in legions.
Several grimoires rank demons according to titles of nobility, among them The Great Book of Saint Cyprian, Le Dragon Rouge, and The Lesser Key of Solomon.
Demonic Hierarchy:
Like the Angels in heaven, Demons also have a hierarchy, but their system is more for the strongest rules.
Prince,
Archduke
Duke
Marquis
Count
Viscount
List of Demons actually named in the bible or history:
- Beelzebub: arrogance
- Leviathan: attacks Christian religious beliefs
- Asmodai: lust
- Berith: murdering and blasphemy
- Astaroth: laziness and vanity
- Verrin: impatience
- Gressil: impurity, uncleanness and nastiness
- Sonneillon: hate
- Lilith: succubus
- Belial: arrogance
- Olivier: fierceness, greediness and envy
- Jouvart: sexuality
- Gaap: wrath
- Belphegor: sloth (laziness)
- Mammon: avarice (greed)
- Asmodeus: lust
~There are several other demons that I can mention, most of them being known from possession of the human body.
~These demons are up for grabs as characters also but Lucifer is not an option.
In religion, folklore, and mythology a demon (or daemon, dæmon, daimon from Greek: δαίμων [ðaïmon]) is a supernatural being that is generally described as a malevolent spirit. In Christian terms demons are generally understood as fallen angels, formerly of God. A demon is frequently depicted as a force that may be conjured and insecurely controlled.
Archdemon:
In Biblical tradition, an archdemon is a spiritual entity, prominent in the infernal hierarchy.[citation needed] Essentially, an archdemon is the counterpart of an archangel. Archdemons are described as the leaders of demonic hosts, just as archangels lead choirs of angels.
In the Occult tradition, there is controversy regarding which demons should be classed as archdemons. During different ages, some demons were historically 'promoted' to archdemons, others were completely forgotten, and new ones were created. In ancient Jewish lore, pagan gods of neighbouring cultures were classed as extremely pernicious in order to protect Jews from worshiping them; therefore, Baal and Astarte were among the worst enemies of God. During the Middle Ages these characterizations were no longer important, but still persisted. New ones emerged, mostly revolving around Satan and the Antichrist.
In the Occult tradition, the stub, also referred to as the reversed Penta/Pentagram, is the "doorway" for the Demon of the given tradition through which it will enter this world if given a right Sacrifice. It is also said to fuel the wearer/user with the power of the Satanic host/superior.
The origin is not well known, but the most common theory is that the stub is a flawed David's star, which is a sacred symbol in Judaism, the oldest of 3 monotheistic religions ( Judaism, Christianity, Islam ). Probably most counter-religions/cults to them were using that symbol ever since. David's star has 6 points, while the stub has only 5, which makes it a "powerful" symbol, yet opposite to the "good" symbol, making it "evil".
Demons have traits from both animals and humans in their physical appearance.
In early Christian theology, Satan or the Devil was seen as chief of all other demons. But soon this changed and Hell was divided in several hierarchies of demons. This was presumably due to the division of angels in hierarchies or choirs taken from Judaism (see angelology), and as demons were angels before, their organisation had to be similar.
During the Middle Ages, many other schema were proposed, some drawing on and expanding on Pseudo-Dionysius, others suggesting completely different classifications. One of these divisions is offered by Sebastien Michaelis, who divided demons in three hierarchies (first, second and third), not making allusion to their rulers (see Michaelis' classification of demons).
Soon this division took another sense, and nobility titles were granted to demons as if they were part of an earthly monarchy. Demons were Great Marshals, Knights, Presidents, Great Presidents, Earls, Great Earls, Dukes, Great Dukes, Marquises, Great Marquises, Princes, Great Princes, Kings, Great Kings, and the ruler of all them the Emperor. As in the earth, some of them had more than one title. Curiously the titles of Baronet, Baron, Viscount and Viceroy were not used. It is unclear if Earl was used as a synonym of Count, or with the ancient meaning of Eorl (Old English for 'nobleman, Prince, Warlord, chief of soldiers'), because the Latin term 'comes' has both meanings. Other hierarchies mention physicians, superintendents, demons in charge of keeping the fire of Hell lit, etc. The rest of the demons were divided in legions.
Several grimoires rank demons according to titles of nobility, among them The Great Book of Saint Cyprian, Le Dragon Rouge, and The Lesser Key of Solomon.
Demonic Hierarchy:
Like the Angels in heaven, Demons also have a hierarchy, but their system is more for the strongest rules.
Prince,
Archduke
Duke
Marquis
Count
Viscount
List of Demons actually named in the bible or history:
- Beelzebub: arrogance
- Leviathan: attacks Christian religious beliefs
- Asmodai: lust
- Berith: murdering and blasphemy
- Astaroth: laziness and vanity
- Verrin: impatience
- Gressil: impurity, uncleanness and nastiness
- Sonneillon: hate
- Lilith: succubus
- Belial: arrogance
- Olivier: fierceness, greediness and envy
- Jouvart: sexuality
- Gaap: wrath
- Belphegor: sloth (laziness)
- Mammon: avarice (greed)
- Asmodeus: lust
~There are several other demons that I can mention, most of them being known from possession of the human body.
~These demons are up for grabs as characters also but Lucifer is not an option.