Demons feature heavily in theological mythology, dwellers of hell, disobedient to god, fallen angels, fell beasts and all things utterly evil in their intent and purpose.
Dante’s Divine Comedy outlines the names of demons which I rather like in his seven circles of hell called The Melabranche
Some of their names are listed here :
· Alichino (derived from Arlecchino, the harlequin)
· Barbariccia ("Curly Beard")
Cagnazzo ("Nasty Dog")
· Calcabrina (possibly "Grace Stomper" or "Frost Trampler")
· Ciriatto ("Wild Hog")
· Draghignazzo ("Nasty Sneering Dragon")
· Farfarello (possibly "Goblin")
· Graffiacane ("Dog Scratcher"[3] or "Scratcher-dog")
· Libicocco (possibly "Libyan Hothead" or "Windy")
· Malacoda, the leader ("Evil Tail")
· Rubicante (possibly "Red-faced Terror"
· Scarmiglione (possibly "Trouble Maker
Illustration Jean-Edouard Dargent 1870
Balrog of Morgoth (forbear to Sauron) in The Silmarillon and LOTR by Tolkien was a powerful image.
Then there are the Yokai of Japanese mythology which can be benign or mischievous or Loki of Norse Mythology reformatted as an antisuperhero role played by Tom Hiddleston.
There have been demonologies comprised which attempt to count the number of demons. Apparently there are demons that tempt old women to attend Witch meetings!
Philosophers have used demons as metaphors as a means to describe concepts. Descartes first meditation uses Demon or an evil genius deceiver as a means for provoking doubt and bring about a method for seeking truth.
"Hell is other people" a quote from a play called No Exit by French Philosopher Jean Paul Sartre in which he postulated the eternal struggle lies not between heaven and hell a place imagined as eternal torture fire and brimstone, but as the interface between the self and limitations imposed by others and the world. Nothing like a good infectious disease to sweep through humanity to bring that sentiment out or a bad day at the office.
Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk have used demon analogy in reference to AI and technological singularity mentioned in the previous blogs when AI may supersede us. Arthur C Clarke's series A Space Odyssey (HAL 9000) and A Time Odyssey known as Aristotle, Thales and Athena who are used to protect earth from an extinction level solar storm. It is a great read and also shows sentient AI who tell stories to themselves. In Hal's case it was self deceiving which led to an fatal destructive error!.
Demons make great antagonists in stories and the reach of the concept of a "omnipotent evil genius" wreaking havoc and placing obstacles in our way across cultures and epochs makes one think if there is some truth to their existence. Although I still think Blackholes offer more alluring insights and possibilities beyond the everyday.
Voloc appears as a demon in some forms and as a shadow to others and ultimately what Voloc is may unfold in the LOC series. Its presence brings fear and while some attempt to flee others find it alluring like Queen Giandra in terms of the power she senses within Voloc.
I have linked below myths of creatures in indigenous heritage. Enjoy the representations of art as well as the names and the stories attached to them from one of the most ancient cultures on earth.
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