Incubus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Incubus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An incubus (from the Latin, incubo, or "nightmare"; plural incubi) is a demon in male form who, according to a number of mythological and legendary traditions, lies upon sleepers, especially women, in order to have sex with them. Its female counterpart is the succubus. An incubus may pursue sexual relations with a woman in order to father a child, as in the legend of Merlin.[1] Religious tradition holds that repeated intercourse with an incubus or succubus may result in the deterioration of health, or even death.[2]

Medieval legend claims that demons both male and female sexually prey on human beings, generally during the night when the victim is sleeping.

Succubus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Succubus

Lilith tempting Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. 15th Century.
A 16th Century sculpture representing a succubus.
Lilith (1892) by John Collier in Southport Atkinson Art Gallery

In folklore traced back to medieval legend, a succubus (plural succubi) is a female demon who takes the form of a human woman in order to seduce men, usually through sexual intercourse.[1] In modern times, a succubus may or may not appear in dreams and is often depicted as a highly attractive seductress or enchantress, while in the past succubi were generally depicted as frightening and demonic.[2] The male counterpart is the incubus. Religious traditions hold that repeated intercourse with an incubus or succubus may result in the deterioration of health, or even death.

Similar to a vampire, succubi also known as Lilith and the Lilin (Jewish) and Belili (Sumerian) draw energy from men to sustain themselves.