Succubus

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other uses, see Succubus (disambiguation).
The Succubus, an 1889 sculpture by Auguste Rodin

A succubus (pl.: succubi) is a

enchantress, rather than as demonic or frightening. The male counterpart to the succubus is the incubus
.

Etymology

The term derives from Late Latin succuba "paramour" from succubare "to lie beneath" (sub- "under" and cubare "to lie"),[1] 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.[2][3]

In folklore

As depicted in the Jewish mystical treatise

vulvas, which drip with urine and other fluids.[8] In later folklore, a succubus took the form of a siren
.

Throughout history,

Walter Map in the satire De nugis curialium (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.[10]

Ability to reproduce

According to the

Rashba, the original three queens of the demons, Agrat bat Mahlat, Naamah, Eisheth Zenunim, and all their cohorts give birth to children, except Lilith.[11] According to other legends, the children of Lilith are called Lilin
.

According to the Malleus Maleficarum, or Witches' Hammer, written by Heinrich Kramer (Institoris) in 1486, succubi collect semen from men they seduce. Incubi, or male demons, then use the semen to impregnate human females,[12] 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.[13]

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.[14]

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."[15]

Arabian mythology

In

second sight" can see them, often in the form of a cat, dog, or other household pet.[16] "In Omdurman it is a spirit which possesses. ... Only certain people are possessed and such people cannot marry or the qarina will harm them."[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Succuba". dictionary.com.
  2. ^ "succubus". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  3. ^ Ha, Douglas. "Succubus". Online Etymology Dictionary. late 14c., alteration (after incubus, giving a masc. form to a word generally felt as of female meaning) of Late Latin succuba
  4. OCLC 20692501
    .
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-90-04-17752-9
    .
  6. ^ "Zohar: Chapter XXXII". Internet Sacred Text Archive.
  7. ISBN 978-0313393433
    .
  8. ISBN 978-1438126845
    .
  9. ^ Geoffrey W. Dennis, The encyclopedia of Jewish myth, magic and mysticism. p. 126
  10. ^ "History of the Succubus". cyodine.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2004.
  11. ^ Humm, Alan. "Kabbala: Lilith, Queen of the Demons". lilithgallery.com. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
  12. ^ Kramer, Heinrich and Sprenger, James (1486), Summers, Montague (translator – 1928), The Malleus Maleficarum, Part2, chapter VIII, "Certain Remedies prescribed against those Dark and Horrid Harms with which Devils may Afflict Men," at sacred-texts.com
  13. ISBN 0-7876-0652-9
  14. ISBN 978-1-5329-6891-4
    .
  15. ISBN 023112029X
    .
  16. ^ a b Zwemer, Samuel M. (1939). "5". Studies in Popular Islam: Collection of Papers dealing with the Superstitions and Beliefs of the Common People. London: Sheldon Press.
  17. ^ Tremearne, A. J. N. (1914). Ban of the Bori: Demons and Demon-Dancing in West and North Africa.
  18. ^ Trimingham, J. Spencer (1965). Islam in the Sudan. London: Frank Cass & Co. Ltd. p. 172.

Further reading

External links

  • The dictionary definition of succubus at Wiktionary
  • Media related to Succubus at Wikimedia Commons
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