SUCCUBUS: ETYMOLOGY, HISTORICAL ORIGIN, MAIN SUCCUBI - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The succubus -according to medieval imaginary- is a demonic figure with the appearance of a woman, whose objective is to seduce men to lead them to their perdition. Generally, succubi are introduced into the human mind through fantasies and dreams, in addition, they are usually very beautiful and sensual female images.

Succubi have been related to sleep paralysis, since their myth was used to explain this phenomenon that disables the individual to make any movement during the transitional period between sleep and wakefulness. Succubi have also been linked to nocturnal pollutions, which consist of involuntary ejaculations produced during sleep.

Lilith is considered the first succubus in the history of the West. Source: Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Therefore, it can be said that succubi are demons that manifest through the human mind and have a deeply erotic character. These female diabolical images have been recorded since the beginning of the first civilizations and have been part of different mythologies and beliefs around the world.

One of the most emblematic succubi has been Lilith, a figure drawn from Jewish folklore that has its roots in ancient Mesopotamia. Some claim that Lilith was the first wife of Adam (before Eve), who later became a demon that begets children with the semen spilled by men during nocturnal pollution.

The author Margarita Torres, in her text Demon and woman: the mark of satan and the combat against him (2015), established that women have been demonized since ancient times. For example, Aristotle (384-322 BC) considered women as an inferior and imperfect being, while Tertullian (160-220 AD) believed that the female body was a symbol of evil.

All these beliefs helped to spread the image of the dangerous and sensual woman that can be perceived in Christian iconography and literature, where they show a monstrous and dehumanized woman, but with a seductive beauty. According to some authors and psychoanalysts, these diabolical entities are the representation of repressed sexual desires.

Etymology

“Succubus” is a variation of the term succuba, made up of two words: the prefix sub-, which means “above” and the verb cubare, which translates as “lie”.

Consequently, the word succubus can be translated as someone or something that is above a person. Instead, the "incubi" -which are also diabolical entities- are those that are within the person.

On the other hand, the word "devil" comes from the Greek Diabolos, which means slanderer and accuser; While the word "demon" comes from the term daimonion, which is translated as "spirit" or "spiritual being", however, with the passing of time it acquired a malefic meaning.

In conclusion, it can be established that a succubus is a kind of demon or devil, since it is a spirit dedicated to slander and to do evil. Furthermore, this spirit makes its appearance in men's dreams, which is why it lies on top of them while they sleep.

Historical origin

There are many hypotheses about the emergence of succubi as diabolical entities. The most controversial version establishes that the succubi arose from the children that Adam had after mating with Lilith; This belief is approved by some Jewish mystics, who defend that this woman is mentioned in the Old Testament during the Book of Genesis.

Judeo-Christian Imaginary

Although images and stories similar to those of the succubus have been found in many mythologies, none have been as important and influential as the Judeo-Christian version of this entity. For this reason, succubi were most strongly noticed during the Middle Ages.

In fact, records have been found of many confessions made during the Inquisition where various people admit to having had encounters with these figures. This was especially the case in convents, where seclusion caused both nuns and priests to perceive sexual and demonic images.

According to Judeo-Christian belief, demons are the reverse of angels, so they are negative beings whose essence has an inclination to lie and sadism, which is why they manage to win followers through temptation.

Likewise, Christian iconography throughout its history has represented demons in an attitude of disorder, which is why they often personify anarchy and chaos. However, they maintain the same hierarchy as angels, which means that they retain their angelic essence.

This characteristic allows them to be beautiful and resplendent when they feel like it and explains the unearthly beauty that is inherent in succubi. However, succubi are not always appetizing, as they can also have a creepy appearance.

During the rebirth:

Although the image of the succubus had a greater apogee in the Middle Ages, during the Renaissance a manual for inquisitors called Malleus maleficarum, published in 1486, came to light. In this text, it is explained how the devil is presented and how it should be fought.

Furthermore, in this work the existence of the succubi and incubi is admitted; the former are associated with female morphology, while the latter with male.

According to the author Margarita Paz, the etymology of these words refers to the position adopted in the sexual act. Consequently, incubi seduced women, while succubi seduced men.

During romanticism: the fatal beauty of the succubus and the aesthetics of the diabolical

In the development of romanticism (end of the 18th century and the course of the 19th century), paintings and literary works inspired by the imaginary of the succubi and incubi were frequent.

For example, the writer Theophile Gautier wrote a work entitled Death in Love (1836), which tells the story of a monk who has been seduced by the destructive beauty of a woman.

This religious, named Romualdo, decides to give extreme unction to a lady named Clarimonda. However, the priest revives her with a kiss and the woman turns into an evil creature who decides to visit him every night.

From the beginning of the play, the dream plays a primary role. In fact, on many occasions the reader does not know if Romualdo is dreaming or if he is living reality.

On the other hand, within the pictorial discipline, a work entitled The Nightmare (1790), made by the painter Johann Heinrich Füssli, stood out. In the painting, a demon perches on a sleeping young woman.

In the painting "The Nightmare" a demon perches on a sleeping young woman. Source: Henry Fuseli

The transparent clothing of the woman gives the scene a strong erotic character, however, the painting is chilling due to the dark colors and the terrifying face of the diabolical entity.

Main succubi

Litit is the most important succubus in the western imagination. However, other similar diabolical entities have existed throughout history:

Abrahel

Abrahel is a succubus whose story began to gain popularity after the author Nicolás Remy described it in his work Demonolatria (1581). According to this text, Abrahel has the form of a tall woman with a delicate silhouette, however, she cannot completely hide her demonic essence.

According to legend, this entity managed to conquer a shepherd named Pierrot, who lived on the banks of the Moselle. Abrahel offered him his body in exchange for the life of the shepherd's son, whom he murdered with a poisoned apple. Pierrot felt bad about his actions and went into despair.

Therefore, Abrahel decided to visit Pierrot again, promising the resurrection of his son if the shepherd agreed to worship her as a god. This is what the pastor did, getting his son to come back to life but with a gloomy look.

After a year, the demon left the boy's body, who fell to the ground giving off a terrible stench. Pierrot had to bury his son secretly.

Mine

Lamia was a succubus originating in Greco-Roman mythology, characterized by being a terrible seductress and scaring children. Some authors consider that Lamia is an antecedent of modern vampires and is an equivalent to Lilith and Xtabay (Mayan succubus).

According to the historian Diodorus Siculus (1st century BC), before being a succubus Lamia was a queen of Libya who fell in love with Zeus. Hera - Zeus' wife - suffered a strong attack of jealousy and transformed Lamia into a monster; Furthermore, she murdered her children.

Physically, Lamia had the head and breasts of a woman, however the rest of her body was similar to that of a snake. It is believed that the etymology of the name comes from the Greek lamyrós, which means "glutton".

Lamia's story has been taken as inspiration by many artists. For example, the romantic poet John Keats wrote a book called Lamia and Other Poems.

Xtabay

Xtabay was a mythological figure belonging to the Mayan culture. Some historians claim that she was the goddess of suicide and was married to the god of death.

However, this creature was best known for presenting itself to men with the aim of bewitching them to kill them or make them lose themselves in the woods.

References

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