Demonology

thumb|The Nightmare (1800) by Nicolai Abildgaard depicting a demon|300x300px

cultural motif

masquerade ball held on 28 January 1393 in Paris

Mavka ( ) or Nyavka ( ) is a type of female spirit in Ukrainian folklore and mythology. The Mavka is a long-haired "Soul of the Forest", typically depicted as a temptress figure who lures men to their deaths.

ring worn by Solomon, in which was a stone from which, according to the Rabbins, he learned whatever he wished to know

The '''''' were shades or spirits of the restless or malignant dead in Roman religion, sometimes used interchangeably with the term (from Latin , 'mask').

Old Testament pseudepigraphical work ascribed to King Solomon

thumb|The magic circle|magical circle and triangle, magical objects/symbols used in the evocation of the seventy-two spirits of the Ars Goetia

Demonization or demonisation is the reinterpretation of polytheistic deities as evil, lying demons by other religions, generally by the monotheistic and henotheistic ones. The term has since been expanded to refer to any characterization of individuals, groups, or political bodies as evil.

Study of demons from a Christian point of view

papal decretal sent by Gregory IX in June 1233, condemning the heresy of Luciferianism said to be rife in Germany

The Smurl haunting refers to claims made by Jack and Janet Smurl of West Pittston, Pennsylvania, U.S., who alleged that a demon inhabited their home between 1974 and 1989. The Smurls' claims gained wide press attention and were investigated by demonologists who encouraged the family to believe that demons were to blame, and clergy, psychologists, and scientific skeptics who offered more parsimonious explanations. The Smurls' version of their story was the subject of a 1986 paperback titled The Haunted and a 1991 made-for-TV movie of the same name released by 20th Century Fox. The 2025 horror film, The Conjuring: Last Rites, offers a loosely adapted portrayal of the Smurl haunting. The YouTube video created by Sam and Colby called The NEW Conjuring House: A Night Turned Demonic, attempts to debunk the situation the Smurl family lived in, allegedly proving that half of what they claimed were lies using a "spiritboard", the YouTubers were able to contact an entity named Patrick. They supposedly removed the demonic entity known as "It" from their establishment with their third exorcism attempt, but proceeded to lie for money and fame by taking their story to the press, being paid for interviews that would be broadcast countrywide would then seem to create an Egregore that would pose as the past evil entity as more fame was brought.

15th century manuscript on demonology and necromancy

tutelary deity