Incubus (in some traditions)

E199687

In some traditions, an Incubus is a malevolent male demon believed to seduce or lie with women, often associated with the supernatural conception of figures like Merlin.

All labels observed (1)

Label Occurrences
Incubus (in some traditions) canonical 1

How this entity was disambiguated

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf demon
mythological creature
supernatural being
appearsIn demonological treatises
folktales about demonic lovers
medieval bestiaries
associatedWith birth of semi-demonic offspring
nighttime attacks
seduction
sexual intercourse with sleeping women
sleep paralysis interpretations
supernatural conception
believedTo cause erotic dreams
impregnate women
visit women in their sleep
classification nocturnal demon
counterpart Lilith
surface form: Succubus
culture European folklore
medieval Christian tradition
describedAs male counterpart of the succubus
effectOnVictim exhaustion
illness
spiritual corruption
etymology derived from Latin "incubare" meaning "to lie upon"
gender male
linkedConcept demonic possession
nightmare folklore
spirit husband myths
linkedTo legendary conception of Merlin
methodOfAttack approaches women during sleep
engages in non-consensual intercourse
pins victims down
moralAlignment malevolent
motiveInLore desire to corrupt human souls
lust
perceivedAs dangerous to women
spirit that drains vitality
portrayedAs humanoid male figure
sometimes winged or monstrous
religiousContext Christian demonology
Jewish folklore (some strands)
roleInFolklore demon that lies with women
sometimesExplainedAs cause of miscarriages
cause of stillbirths
cause of unwanted pregnancies
wardedOffBy holy water
prayer
religious amulets

How these facts were elicited

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Merlin parent Incubus (in some traditions)