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Demons are present in the mythology of many cultures, with various hierarchies and classifications. They possess supernatural powers and can be either friendly or evil. Demonic possession is a common theme, and they are used to explain natural phenomena. Christian demons are fallen angels, while in Islam they are known as jinn.
Demons play an important role in the mythology of many cultures, from the asuras of Hinduism to the tzitzimimeh of the Aztecs. Their universal appearance in religions and cultures around the world perhaps speaks to a fundamental desire to understand the nature of evil and the motivation behind evil deeds. The mythology of demons is quite complex, with many cultures having unique hierarchies and a number of well-known demons with names, such as Satan in Christian mythology.
In all cases, demons have supernatural powers, and many cultures have superstitious traditions supposed to repel them, ranging from leaving offerings to wearing particular objects to ward them off. Many cultures also have an assortment of friendly and evil demons, although it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference.
There are numerous types of demons. Some, for example, are simply playful earth or nature spirits who delight in doing harm, while others are classified as tempters who lead people into sin. They may also work in opposition to one or more deities, or they may assist witches and other evildoers. Some cultures classify them as humans, meaning they are the spirits of the dead, or non-humans, and demons can possess people to do evil or act independently.
The more benign types are things like pixies, goblins, and poltergeists, widely considered obnoxious, but relatively harmless, in the cultures where they appear. Many cultures have some form of imp to explain mysterious events, suggesting that these demons simply enjoy playing with people, but aren’t particularly evil. These types were also present in Greek mythology, and indeed the word “demon” comes from the Greek word for a nature spirit.
Many cultures have a tradition of demons acting as tempters to lead people from the path of righteousness. Incubi and succubi, for example, appear in seductive male and female forms, and Mara appeared to the Buddha to tempt him. By resisting such tempers, the faithful can demonstrate their commitment to their religion.
Demons can work in concert with people, as in the case of a witch’s familiar, and can also possess people, both willingly and unwittingly in many cultures. Demonic possession is a theme in many cultures, and their expulsion is a very lucrative profession in some parts of the world. They can also possess inanimate objects according to some religious traditions, causing these objects to be cursed.
Christian demons such as Satan operate in opposition to God and are classified as fallen angels. In Christian mythology, they are ranked, with Satan at the head. In Islam, they are known as jinn and can be either benign and friendly, or evil, in which case they are known as devils. Buddhist demons are mainly tempters, while Hindu ones work against the gods. These creatures are also used in many religions to explain natural phenomena, such as eclipses, storms and floods.
