Succubus

A succubus () is a female demon who is described in various folklore as appearing in the dreams of male humans in order to seduce them. Repeated interactions between a succubus and a man will lead to sexual activity, a bond forming between them, and ultimately sexual intercourse, as she requires semen to survive. The establishment and perpetuation of such a relationship enables the production of a hybrid offspring known as a cambion, but at the expense of the man, whose mental and physical health will deteriorate rapidly, eventually resulting in his death if the succubus continues courting him for a protracted period.

In modern representations, a succubus is often depicted as a beautiful seductress or enchantress, rather than as demonic or frightening, to attract people instead of repulsing them. The male counterpart to the succubus is the incubus. Historically, folkloric belief in succubi was motivated by distressing nighttime phenomena, chiefly wet dreams and sleep paralysis.

Etymology

The term derives from Late Latin ' "paramour" from ' "to lie beneath" (''-'' "under" and ' "to lie"), used to describe this being's implied sexual position relative to the sleeper's position. The English word "succubus" dates from the late 14th century. The succubus is also known as the earth wanderer.

In folklore

As depicted in the Jewish mystical treatise ''Zohar'' and the medieval Jewish satirical text '' Alphabet of Ben Sira'', Lilith was Adam's first wife, who later became a succubus. She left Adam and refused to return to the Garden of Eden after she mated with the archangel Samael. In Zoharistic Kabbalah, there were four succubi who mated with the archangel Samael. The four original queens of the demons were Lilith, Eisheth Zenunim, Agrat bat Mahlat, and Naamah. A succubus may take the form of a beautiful woman, but closer inspection may reveal deformities of her body, such as bird-like claws or serpentine tails. Folklore also describes men being forced to perform the act of cunnilingus. In later folklore, a succubus took the form of a siren.

Throughout history, priests and rabbis, including Hanina ben Dosa and Abaye, tried to curb the power of succubi over humans. However, not all succubi were malevolent. According to Walter Map in the satire ' (''Trifles of Courtiers''), Pope Sylvester II (999–1003) was allegedly involved with a succubus named Meridiana, who helped him achieve his high rank in the Catholic Church. Before his death, he confessed of his sins and died repentant.

Ability to reproduce

According to the Kabbalah and the school of Rashba, the original three queens of the demons, Agrat bat Mahlat, Naamah, Eisheth Zenunim, and all their cohorts give birth to children, except Lilith. According to other legends, the children of Lilith are called Lilin.

According to the ', or ''Witches' Hammer'', written by Heinrich Kramer (Institor) in 1486, succubi collect semen from men they seduce. Incubi, or male demons, then use the semen to impregnate human females, thus explaining how demons could apparently sire children, despite the traditional belief that they were incapable of reproduction. Children so begotten— cambions—were supposed to be those that were born deformed, or more susceptible to supernatural influences.Lewis, James R., Oliver, Evelyn Dorothy, Sisung Kelle S. (Editor) (1996), '' Angels A to Z'', Entry: Incubi and Succubi, pp. 218, 219, Visible Ink Press,

King James in his dissertation titled '' Dæmonologie ''refutes the possibility for angelic entities to reproduce and instead offered a suggestion that a devil would carry out two methods of impregnating women - the first, to steal the sperm out of a dead man and deliver it into a woman. If a demon could extract the semen quickly, the substance could not be instantly transported to a female host, causing it to go cold. This explains his view that succubi and incubi were the same demonic entity, only to be described differently based on the tormented sexes being conversed with. The second method was the idea that a dead body could be possessed by a devil, causing it to rise and have sexual relations with others. However, no mention has been found of a female corpse being possessed to elicit sex from men.

In non-Western literature

Buddhist canon

A Buddhist scripture regarding prayer to Avalokiteśvara, the ''Dharani Sutra of Amoghapāśa'', promises to those who pray that "you will not be attacked by demons who either suck your energy or make love to you in your dreams."

Arabian mythology

In Arabian mythology, the ' () is a spirit similar to the succubus, with origins possibly in ancient Egyptian religion or in the animistic beliefs of pre-Islamic Arabia. A ' "sleeps with the person and has relations during sleep as is known by the dreams". They are said to be invisible, but a person with " second sight" can see them, often in the form of a cat, dog, or other household pet. "In Omdurman it is a spirit which possesses. ...Only certain people are possessed and such people cannot marry or the qarina will harm them."

In Upper Egyptian folk belief, the ''qarînah'' can be appeased by sacrificing an all-black animal to her. The animal is slaughtered without prayers, and it is cooked without salt. No one speaks during the meal and it is buried in the house of those it has afflicted.

See also

* List of mythological creatures
* List of succubi in fiction

References

Further reading

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External links

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Christian mythology
Demons in Christianity
Demons in Judaism
Female demons
Jewish mysticism
Jinniyyat
Lilith
Medieval European legendary creatures
Sleep in mythology and folklore
Supernatural legends
Jewish legendary creatures