The Bahamut is a gigantic fish of the marid type of jinn and the base of the structure that holds up the earth. It supports a bull that supports an Angel who stands on a ruby rock, carrying the planet. The bull and fish cause the rising and falling of the tides. ⠀
Jinn associated with the zodiac sign Taurus. From Kitāb-i ʻAjāʾib-i makhlūqāt (The Book of Wonders and Creatures), 1921.⠀
Samael: in Jewish mythology he’s an archangel AND demon, whose name means “Venom of God”. He acts as the Angel of Death & has Satan-like roles, but he’s not considered necessarily evil. He’s unique because while he encourages men to sin, he remains God servant. Art: Gustave Doré
Jinn associated with the zodiac sign Aquarius. From Kitāb-i ʻAjāʾib-i makhlūqāt (The Book of Wonders and Creatures), 1921.
Lilith is so much more than a sexually wanton demon who steals babies in the night. She was Adam’s first wife, made from the same clay, who refused to be subservient to him. She left the Garden of Eden and paired up with the angel Samael (a satan-like figure in Judaism) and mothered many demonic offspring known as Lilin.⠀
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In modern times, she’s hailed by some as a feminist hero, for refusing to be considered lower than Adam. She appears across many ancient texts, from the Talmud, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and texts of the Kabbalah, and her story may even have roots in Mesopotamian mythology. So much has been written, and so much can be said about Lilith, and she’s my favorite demon.
Baphomet is a goat headed demon (or deity depending who you ask) that embodies opposing binaries: they’re human and animal, male and female, good and evil. They’re the source of inspiration for the Devil card image in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, and much Satanic imagery, and are a part of many occult and mystical traditions.⠀
A baharia is a jnoun (a pre-islamic jinn) of the sea. They live in opulent underwater palaces built from precious gems. When they grow tired of palace life, they will come to the surface to tease mariners. Usually they’re described as beautiful with pale skin and dark black hair, and with a full upper body of a human that is typical of mermen and mermaids—unlike the depiction here. From Marvels of Things Created and Miraculous Aspects of Things Existing, 18th century
Wamidal is a demon depicted in the Compendium Of Demonology and Magic (1775). I wasn’t able to find any information on this demon. The grimoire it came from was most likely created to be sold as a rare book, as opposed to an educational source. So Wamidal may not be a genuine demon. But who’s to say what makes a “genuine” demon? ⠀
A ghul is a nocturnal type of jinn that feeds off the flesh of travelers, children, and corpses. They inhabit graveyards, ruins and other lonely places. The female ghul (ghula) are especially feared because they can take the form of a beautiful woman to seduce their unsuspecting victims. From Shah Namah, the Persian Epic of the Kings, 10th century.⠀
Gaap or Tap is a fallen angel and one of the 72 spirits of Solomon. As an angel he belonged to the Order of Powers. He poses as a doctor to women and makes them lust after men. He has many other powers, including: stealing familiars from magicians, telling the past and future, teaching philosophy and liberal sciences, teleporting people from one country to another, making people invisible, causing people to go senseless, inspiring love and hatred, and consecrating under the dominion of the infernal king Amaimon. These abilities likely made him a popular demon to summon among conjurers. From Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863.⠀
Jinn associated with the zodiac sign Gemini. From Kitāb-i ʻAjāʾib-i makhlūqāt (The Book of Wonders and Creatures), 1921. ⠀
Purson is a Grand King of hell. He governs 22 legions of lesser demons that are comprised of spirits affiliated with the Order of Virtues and the Order of Thrones. He gives magicians good familiars, can help reveal treasure, and teaches knowledge of the occult and the creation of the universe. From Dictionnaire Infernal, 1863.
