Familiars

domestic cat with black fur

thumb|A late-16th-century English illustration of a witch feeding her familiars In European folklore of the medieval and early modern periods, familiars (strictly familiar spirits, as "familiar" also meant just "close friend" or companion, and may be seen in the scientific name for dog, Canis familiaris) were believed to be supernatural entities, interdimensional beings, or spiritual guardians that would protect or assist witches and cunning folk in their practice of magic, divination, and spiritual insight. According to records of the time, those alleging to have had contact with familiar spi

painting by Frans Hals (Gemäldegalerie Berlin)

thumb|right|The sigil of Valefor as it appears in the [[Lesser Key of Solomon|225px]] In demonology, Valefar (also Valefor, Malaphar, Malephar, Valafar) is a Duke of Hell. He tempts people to steal and is in charge of a good relationship among thieves. Valefar is considered a good familiar by his associates "till they are caught in the trap". He commands ten legions of demons.

milk secreted from the breasts of some newborn human infants of either sex

Legendary creature

right|thumb|240px|"Kudagitsune" from the Shōzan chomon kishū by Miyoshi Shōzan right|thumb|240px|"Kudagitsune" from the .From the caption, its length without the tail is calculable to "1 shaku (unit)|shaku and 2 or 3 sun (approx. 1.2–1.3 feet). The , also pronounced kanko, is a type of spirit possession in legends around various parts of Japan. It may be known otherwise as osaki especially in the Kantō region, and also considered equivalent to the izuna.

The polong is a type of familiar spirit in Malay folklore. It has the appearance of a miniature woman, the size of the first joint of the finger.

white hunting poodle belonging to Prince Rupert of the Rhine

A spiriduș in Romanian mythology is said to be a "demon incarnate", or a domestic spirit, oftentimes taking the form of an avian familiar, such as hens, crows, or hunting birds. The purpose of these familiars once they're summoned, is to act as messengers or intermediaries between the master of the home in which the spiriduș was born, and the devil. The master can use the spiriduș to request from the devil any mortal desire, in return for their soul in the afterlife.

Biróg (Biroge of the Mountain, Birog), in Irish folklore is the leanan sídhe or the female familiar spirit of Cian who aids him in the folktale about his wooing of Balor's daughter Eithne.