Sometimes, when you’re sleeping at night, you feel a cold chill enter the room. There’s nobody home, but you feel someone there. It’s not a person but an entity – a supernatural entity known as a demon. Demons have been part of religions, folklore, and culture since the dawn of time. The fear of the unknown manifested itself as malicious paranormal entities. In the deep and dark abyss beyond the light reside the strangest and evilest demons. These supernatural monsters haunt the dreams of fathers and mothers as they possess the bodies of innocent children.
Appearing in Christian demonology, demons represent the morally corrupt and evil in most religions and cultures. In some beliefs, demons are fallen angels that serve as The Devil’s army punishing humans for their sinful ways. Demons play a significant role in Jewish demonology, which influenced other religions. However, these demons aren’t just references in the Old Testament or Hebrew scriptures. The legend of demons exists in Greek mythology, European folklore, and Persian mythology.
The mythology has carried over into other mediums such as movies, television, and podcasts. Here’s a look at 18 of the strangest and evilest types of demons.
18 of the Strangest and Evilest Types of Demons
1. The Devil
The Devil is the ultimate evil demon in Christianity. As the story goes, The Devil was a fallen angel sent to hell before the creation of the earth. He then became the leader of the other fallen angels or demons and waged war against God.
In the Bible, The Devil appears in various forms, such as Satan, Lucifer, Leviathan, and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. The Devil often tempts humans to sin and murder, creates wars, spreads diseases, and instills jealousy. In classic horror movies, demons are often portrayed as The Devil himself or an agent of the Devil sent to cause chaos.
2. Mammon
The Bible often mentions the evils of greed and the desire for material wealth. These human needs usually manifest as the evil demon Mammon. Appearing in the New Testament, Mammon is a supernatural entity that tempts humans with unlimited money and immense wealth.
Well, it turns out that dealing with the demonic creature usually has consequences. Sometimes called Beelzebub, Mamman is one of the seven deadly sins representing greed. At times, Mammon is an evil minion of The Devil or another name for the Devil.
3. Azazel
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Azazel might be one of the best-known fallen angels. Like many fallen angels, Azazel soon became one of the evilest demons in folklore. Introducing humans to forbidden wisdom, Azazel was often in opposition to God. At the same time, references to Azazel are vague and vary depending on the source.
In the Hebrew Bible, Azazel is a ritual involving two goats, one going free and the other getting sacrificed. The King James Bible translation of Azazel means scapegoat. Most scholars believe that Azazel was a demon in Christianity. In addition to the goat, Azazel represents the serpent. Sometimes called The Devil, Azazel takes evil to another level.
4. Familiar Spirits
The myth and legends of demons grew throughout the Late Middle Ages. They became a crucial part of European folklore which influenced the various religions at the time. During this period, the paranormal entity known as familiars began to appear in terrifying tales.
While most demons appear unseen or smokey, familiars are full of bright colors and sounds. Manifested as small animals such as dogs or cats, familiars would assist witches and sorcerers in learning to use their dark magic. According to legend, Prince Rupert often took his pet poodle, Boy, into battle because he was a familiar with magic powers.
5. Abaddon
Emerging from a deep and dark bottomless pit is the evil demon Abaddon. The angel of the abyss appears in the Book of Revelations with a horrifying army. The New Testament describes him as the King of a plague of locusts who have crowned human faces with women’s hair, a scorpion stinger on their tail, and lion’s teeth.
For five torturous months, Abaddon and his army torment anyone who doesn’t have God’s seal on their forehead. However, the malevolent destroyer is also one of the seven deadly sins symbolizing sloth. Abaddon is easily one of the strangest and weirdest demons.
6. Astaroth
Forming an unholy alliance with Lucifer and Beelzebub, Astaroth is one of the most notorious demons in history. Also known as the Duke of Hell, Astaroth first appeared in The Book of Abramelin, but his legend grew throughout the Middle Ages.
Often depicted as powerful with a viper in one hand, Astaroth is at his peak of strength and evilness in August. While he rides his hellish dragon, Astaroth instills feelings of uncertainty and laziness in his targets. As one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus, only St. Bartholomew could resist the evil demon Astaroth’s temptations.
7. Succubus
Many demons like the incubus, mare, and succubus, target their victims while they sleep. However, no demon enjoys tormenting and haunting a person’s nightmares more than a drude.
A supernatural entity in German folklore, the drude is a type of elf or hag that haunts dreams and tortures souls. Sometimes associated with witches, drude’s are one of the scariest demons that haunt nightmares. According to legend, the mischievous drude often participated in the Wild Hunt, where a mythical demon leads a supernatural army on a horrifying pursuit.
8. Lucifer
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There are numerous references to Lucifer throughout Christianity. At times, Lucifer is interchangeable with Satan and The Devil. Other times, they appear to be three different entities depending on the source. Usually, the three are closely related in The Bible.
In other texts, Lucifer takes on another meaning or role. For instance, Lucifer is one of the seven deadly sins representing pride. However, the name Lucifer first appeared in Ancient Rome as the name of Venus in Roman folklore. Also known as light-bringer, the Greco-Roman culture considered Lucifer a god and the personification of Venus. Furthermore, Roman mythology considers Lucifer the son of the goddess of dawn, Aurora.
9. Lilith
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The demon Lilith appears in various texts, notably in Jewish mythology and Greco-Roman mythology. According to legend, Lilith was Adam’s first wife before Eve. Lilith was kicked out of the Garden of Eden because she wouldn’t listen to him. Most scholars consider Lilith the first and most famous female demon.
In the Hebrew Bible, the name “Lilith” actually translates to screech owl or night creatures. Possibly a succubus, Lilith appears prominently in the Dead Sea Scrolls as a terrifying and pure evil demon. Nowadays, Lilith is a famous demon or spirit appearing in classic horror movies and other genres. Despite being depicted as an evil demon, Lilith now symbolizes oppressed women fighting for equality and justice.
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10. Leviathan
Appearing in the Book of Revelations, the sea creature Leviathan is an evil demon that’s either The Devil’s right-hand demon or the Devil itself. Several portions of the Hebrew Bible mention Leviathan, notably The Book of Job.
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Jewish texts describe Levithan as a female dragon that dwells deep in an abyss. In all depictions, the fire-breathing Levithan is genuinely unstoppable, with impenetrable shells and thick armor covering its back. Along with Behemoth, Levithan will face judgment at the world’s end.
11. Beelzebub
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Few demons compare to the evil and strange Beelzebub. Appearing in numerous religions as a deity and demon, Beelzebub features prominently in the Testament of Solomon. Believed to be written by King Solomon, the text describes the archangel Michael allowing the King to enslave demons to build the Solomon Temple.
Most cultures believe Beelzebub’s simply a fallen angel. Often Beelzebub is used as another name for Satan. Also known as the Lord of the Flyers, Beelzebub is known to take flight and brags about causing men to adore demons. He’s also one of the seven princes of hell representing gluttony.
12. Satan
Satan goes by many names and appears in various religious texts and art. In the Hebrew Bible, a figure similar to Satan, Ha-Satan, appears as a kind of lawyer for God. However, Satan became a demonic entity in opposition to God over time. Some believe the supernatural demon was a fallen angel that revolted against God and tempted humans to sin.
Sometimes called the Devil or Lucifer in Christianity, Satan appears in the Book of Revelations as a giant Red Dragon in an epic showdown with the archangel Michael. Satan is also one of the seven deadly sins representing wrath. In horror movies and folklore, Satan is a central figure in witchcraft and demonic possessions. At the same time, Theistic Satanism reveres Satan as a deity.
13. Asmodeus
Not all demons are grotesque monsters lurking in the shadows. For instance, the evil demon Asmodeus is handsome, charming, and polite in early depictions. In later portrayals, he has a claw for a leg and a distinct limp. Known as the prince of demons in the Hebrew Bible, Asmodeus represents lust and desire.
In the Book of Tobit, Asmodeus is the main villain who falls in love with Sarah of Ecbatana. He goes on a murderous rampage killing anyone that Sarah plans to marry. With the help of the archangel Raphael, Sarah and her love Tobias kill Asmodeus, performing an exorcism. Written in the 3rd century, The Book of Tobit is an early example of an exorcism in literature.
14. Behemoth
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While The Devil is usually the main demon, he has many evil demons that live to serve their master. Along with Levithan, Behemoth often does The Devil’s bidding depending on the text. The supernatural demon rises out of the earth, unlike Levithan.
In Jewish teachings, the Behemoth was a land monster who lived in the invisible desert near the Garden of Eden. Appearing in the Old Testament’s Book of Job, Behemoth was so powerful and strong that only God could defeat it. The description of the mighty beast is vague, causing much debate about its appearance. Regardless, the strange demon monster would strike fear into the hearts of the people who came across it.
15. Incubus
Most demons have a dual purpose as The Devil’s servant and to terrorize humans on earth. Enter the monster incubus. While many demons are undoubtedly evil, the incubus is truly deplorable. During the Middle Ages, urban legends of the incubus grew rapidly.
16. Belphegor
Throughout history, there have been many demons, but none are as terrifying as Belphegor. In many texts, Belphegor is an evil demon that’s the leader of the seven deadly sins. That’s quite the accomplishment considering the other demons include The Devil and Lucifer.
Representing sloth, Belphegor tempts humans with laziness. Appearing in Christian demonology, Belphegor is pure evil who wreaks havoc by tricking and seducing people. He’s easily one of the strangest demons to roam the earth.
17. Noonday Demon
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According to classic horror movies, most demons operate late at night as they move through a house, looking for a body to possess. However, some demons work best during the day. The noonday demon does its best damage around noon in the middle of the day.
Also known as the demon of noontide, they usually target victims in the afternoon, distracting them from their daily responsibilities. The noonday demon might not be as famous as Satan, Levithan, or Lilith, but it figures prominently in several religious texts. Tales of the midday demon wreaking havoc at lunchtime exist in the Hebrew Bible, The Old Testament, and the King James Version.
18. Cambion
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According to European folklore, cambion are the children of humans and demons, particularly the incubus and succubus. These hybrid humans became a popular belief beginning in the 19th century. Despite their human traits, cambion often have a dark side. Several popular cambion fictional characters include Merlin, DC’s Raven, and Hellboy.
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