Lilith: An ancient demon, a dark deity or a goddess of sensuality?

02. 12. 2020
6th international conference of exopolitics, history and spirituality

Some sources describe it as a demon, in others it acts as an icon representing one of the darkest pagan goddesses. Lilith is one of the oldest female demons in the world, whose roots can be found in the famous Epic of Gilgamesh, but it is also mentioned in the Bible and the Talmud. She is an infamous demon of Jewish tradition, but some sources say she was the first woman. According to Jewish legends, God created Lilith as the first woman and did so in the same way he created Adam. The only difference was that he used dirt and sludge instead of pure dust. The traditional interpretation of her name means "night" and is attributed to her with qualities associated with spiritual aspects of sensuality and freedom, but also with horror.

Demon of ancient Sumerians

The name Lilith comes from the Sumerian word "lilith," which referred to the spirit of the wind or the female demon. Lilith is mentioned in the Sumerian poem Gilgamesh, Enkido and the Underworld, a famous ancient Mesopotamian composition that originated sometime after 2100 BC This composition was added much later, around 600 BC, to the comprehensive story of Gilgamesh as the 12th table of his canonical edition. He appears in the story of the sacred tree of the goddess Inanna, in which she represents the trunk of a tree. She is accompanied by other demons, so researchers still do not agree on whether she was a demon herself or rather a dark goddess.

At the same time, early Jewish sources mention it, so it is difficult to determine where it was known before. However, it is clear that he has been involved in Sumerian witchcraft and magic since the beginning of its appearance in ancient texts. The Babylonian Talmud describes Lilith as a dark spirit with uncontrollable and aggressive sexuality. They say
about her being fertilized with male sperm to give birth to demons. She is believed to have been the mother of hundreds of demons. It was also known in the culture of the Hittites, Egyptians, Greeks, Israelites and Romans, and later the awareness spread to the north of Europe. It represents chaos, sexuality and is said to have charmed people. Legends about it are also related to the first stories about vampires.

Wife of Biblical Adam

Lilith appears in the Bible in Isaiah 34: 14, which describes the demise of Edom. From the beginning, he is considered a devilish being, impure and dangerous. In Bereshit Rab, commenting on the book of Genesis, she appears as Adam's first wife, which, according to this book, God created together with Adam. Lilith was very strong, independent and wanted to be equal to Adam. She could not accept that she was less important and refused to lie under her intercourse. Their union did not work and was filled with disputes. As Robert Graves and Raphael Patai wrote in The Hebrew Myths, "Adam complained to God, 'I was abandoned by my mate.' God hesitantly sent the angels of Senoy, Sansenoy, and Semangelof to bring Lilith back. They found it on the Red Sea, in a swarming area
the vile demons she gave birth to more than a hundred lilies every day.

'Return to Adam without delay,' said one of the angels, 'or we will drown you!' Lilith asked, 'How can I return to Adam and live as an exemplary housekeeper after staying on the shores of the Red Sea?' 'Rejection means death,' they replied. 'How can I die,' Lilith asked again, 'when God commanded me to take care of all the newborn children: boys up to the eight days of their lives, the time of circumcision; girls to the twentieth day. However, if I see the names of the three of you or similar written on an amulet hanging over the newborn, I promise to save the child. ' They agreed; but God punished Lilith by killing every day one hundred of her demonic children; and if she could not kill a human child because of the amulet, she turned against her own.

Icon of contemporary pagans and feminists

Today, Lilith has become a symbol of freedom for many feminist movements. With greater access to education, women began to understand that they could be independent and began to look for a symbol for their female strength. Lilith also began to be worshiped by some followers of the pagan religion of Wicca, which originated in the 50s. Lilith's perception of the archetype of an independent woman was reinforced by the artists who adopted her as their muse. During the Renaissance, it was a popular subject in art and literature. Michelangelo portrayed her as half a woman, half a snake wrapped around the Tree of Knowledge, and thus increased her importance in the myth of the creation of man and the expulsion from Paradise. Over time, Lilith became increasingly irritated by the imagination of male authors such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who portrayed her as the most beautiful woman in the world.

The author of "The Chronicle of Narnia," CS Lewis, was inspired by the legend of Lilith in the creation of the White Witch, whom he described as beautiful but dangerous and cruel. Lewis mentioned that she was the daughter of Lilith and that she was destined to kill the children of Adam and Eve. The slightly less romantic image of Lilith comes from the pen of James Joyce, who called her the patron saint of abortions. Joyce pushed Lilith into feminist philosophy, beginning the process of transforming her into a 20th century independent woman goddess. As women gained greater rights over time, they began to disagree with a vision of a world ruled by men, including the interpretation of the biblical story of the beginning of life on earth.

The name Lilith appears as an indication of Israel's national literacy program as well as the name of a Jewish women's magazine. The legendary female demon from ancient Sumer is one of the most popular topics in feminist literature dealing with ancient mythology. However, scholars still disagree on whether it was created by God, was a real demon, or whether it served only as a warning of what would happen if women gained power.

Christmas tips from the Sueneé Universe e-shop

SHUNGIT package (cosmetics and pebbles)

In this package you will find: Shungite shampoo for dry and colored hair 330ml, Shungite nourishing soap for sensitive skin 300ml and Treated pebbles 50 - 80 mm. The perfect Christmas present!

SHUNGIT package (cosmetics and pebbles)

Altai Mumio (60 tablets)

Biologically active and mineral substances which strengthens the body and immunity. Improves digestion, menstrual cycle and also urinary tract.

Altai Mumio (60 tablets)

Similar articles