The ''Dictionnaire infernal'' ( en, "Infernal Dictionary") is a book on

demonology Demonology is the study of demons within religious belief and myth. Depending on context, it can refer to studies within theology, religious doctrine, or pseudoscience. In many faiths, it concerns the study of a hierarchy of demons. Demons may b ...

, describing

demons A demon is a malevolent supernatural entity. Historically, belief in demons, or stories about demons, occurs in religion, occultism, literature, fiction, mythology, and folklore; as well as in media such as comics, video games, movies, anime, ...

organised in

hierarchies A hierarchy (from Greek: , from , 'president of sacred rites') is an arrangement of items (objects, names, values, categories, etc.) that are represented as being "above", "below", or "at the same level as" one another. Hierarchy is an important ...

. It was written by

Jacques Collin de Plancy Jacques Albin Simon Collin de Plancy (28 January 1793 in Plancy-l'Abbaye – 1881 in Paris) was a French occultist, demonologist and writer. He published several works on occultism and demonology. Biography He was born Jacques Albin Simon Colli ...

and first published in 1818. There were several editions of the book; perhaps the most famous is the 1863 edition, which included sixty-nine illustrations by

Louis Le Breton Louis Le Breton (1818 in Douarnenez – 1866) was a French painter who specialised in marine paintings. Le Breton studied medicine and took part in Dumont d'Urville's second voyage aboard the ''Astrolabe''. After the official illustrator of the ...

depicting the appearances of several of the demons. Many but not all of these images were later used in

S. L. MacGregor Mathers Samuel Liddell (or Liddel) MacGregor Mathers (8 or 11 January 1854 – 5 or 20 November 1918), born Samuel Liddell Mathers, was a British occultist. He is primarily known as one of the founders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a cerem ...

's edition of ''

The Lesser Key of Solomon ''The Lesser Key of Solomon'', also known as ''Lemegeton Clavicula Salomonis'' or simply ''Lemegeton'', is an anonymous grimoire on demonology. It was compiled in the mid-17th century, mostly from materials a couple of centuries older.''Lemegeto ...

''.

History

''Dictionnaire Infernal'' was first published in 1818 and then divided into two volumes, with six reprints—and many changes—between 1818 and 1863. This book attempts to provide an account of all the knowledge concerning superstitions and

. A review in 1822 read: The cover page for the 1826 edition reads: Influenced by

Voltaire François-Marie Arouet (; 21 November 169430 May 1778) was a French Age of Enlightenment, Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. Known by his ''Pen name, nom de plume'' M. de Voltaire (; also ; ), he was famous for his wit, and his ...

, Collin de Plancy initially did not believe in superstition. For example, the book reassures its contemporaries as to the torments of Hell: "To deny that there are sorrows and rewards after death is to deny the existence of God; since God exists, it must be necessarily so. But only God could know the punishments meted out to the guilty, or the place that holds them. All the catalogues made herebefore are only the fruit of a more or less disordered imagination. Theologians should leave to the poets the depiction of Hell, and not themselves seek to frighten minds with hideous paintings and appalling books" (p. 164). The skepticism of Collin de Plancy increasingly subsided over time. By the end of 1830 he was an enthusiastic

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

, to the consternation of his former admirers. In later years, De Plancy rejected and modified his past works, thoroughly revising his ''Dictionnaire Infernal'' to conform with

Roman Catholic theology Catholic theology is the understanding of Catholic doctrine or teachings, and results from the studies of theologians. It is based on Biblical canon, canonical Catholic Bible, scripture, and sacred tradition, as interpreted authoritatively by ...

. This influence is most clearly seen in the sixth and final 1863 edition of the book, which is decorated with many engravings and seeks to affirm the existence of the demons. de Plancy collaborated with

Jacques Paul Migne Jacques Paul Migne (; 25 October 1800 – 24 October 1875) was a French priest who published inexpensive and widely distributed editions of theological works, encyclopedias, and the texts of the Church Fathers, with the goal of providing a ...

, a French priest, to complete a ''Dictionary of the occult sciences or theological Encyclopaedia'', which is described as an authentic Roman Catholic work. Many articles written in the ''Dictionnaire Infernal'' illustrate the author's vacillation between

rationalism In philosophy, rationalism is the epistemological view that "regards reason as the chief source and test of knowledge" or "any view appealing to reason as a source of knowledge or justification".Lacey, A.R. (1996), ''A Dictionary of Philosophy' ...

faith Faith, derived from Latin ''fides'' and Old French ''feid'', is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or In the context of religion, one can define faith as "belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion". Religious people often ...

, and willingness to believe without evidence. For example, he admits the possible effectiveness of

chiromancy Palmistry is the pseudoscientific practice of fortune-telling through the study of the palm. Also known as palm reading, chiromancy, chirology or cheirology, the practice is found all over the world, with numerous cultural variations. Those wh ...

, while rejecting

cartomancy Cartomancy is fortune-telling or divination using a deck of cards. Forms of cartomancy appeared soon after playing cards were first introduced into Europe in the 14th century. Huson, Paul (2004). ''Mystical Origins of the Tarot: From Ancient R ...

: "It is certain that chiromancy, and especially

physiognomy Physiognomy (from the Greek , , meaning "nature", and , meaning "judge" or "interpreter") is the practice of assessing a person's character or personality from their outer appearance—especially the face. The term can also refer to the general ...

, have at least some plausibility: they draw their predictions from signs which relate to features which distinguish and characterize people; of lines which the subjects carry with themselves, which are the work of nature, and that someone can believe significant, since they are unique to each individual. But the cards, merely human artifacts, not knowing either the future, nor the present, nor the past, have nothing of the individuality of the person consulting them. For a thousand different people they will have the same result; and consulted twenty times about the same subject, they will produce twenty contradictory productions" (p. 82).

List of demons

Adramelech.jpg, Adramelech Asmodeus.jpg,

Asmodee Asmodee is a French publisher of board games, card games and role-playing games (RPGs). Founded in 1995 to develop their own games and to publish and distribute for other smaller game developers, they have since acquired numerous other board game ...

Astaroth.jpg,

Astaroth Astaroth (also Ashtaroth, Astarot and Asteroth), in demonology, was known to be the Great Duke of Hell in the first hierarchy with Beelzebub and Lucifer; he was part of the evil trinity. He is known to be a male figure most likely named afte ...

Bael.jpg,

Bael Bael may refer to: *''Aegle marmelos'', commonly known as the Bael tree *Bael (demon) * Bael (wrestler) See also * Baal (disambiguation) * Bail (disambiguation) Bail is the conditional release of an arrested person prior to their trial, or the mo ...

Dictionnaire Infernal - Behemoth.jpg,

Behemoth Behemoth (; he, בְּהֵמוֹת, ''bəhēmōṯ'') is a beast from the biblical Book of Job, and is a form of the primeval chaos-monster created by God at the beginning of creation; he is paired with the other chaos-monster, Leviathan, and ...

Byleth.png,

Beleth In demonology, Beleth, also spelled Bilet, Bileth, Byleth, or Bilith, is a king of Hell who has eighty-five legions of demons under his command. He rides a pale horse, and a variety of music is heard before him, according to most authors on dem ...

Beelzebub.png, Belzebuth Ill dict infernal p0291-275 flaga.jpg, Flaga #

Abbadon The Hebrew term Abaddon ( he, אֲבַדּוֹן ''’Ăḇaddōn'', meaning "destruction", "doom"), and its Greek equivalent Apollyon ( grc-koi, Ἀπολλύων, ''Apollúōn'' meaning "Destroyer") appear in the Bible as both a place of de ...

/Apollyon # Abigor also known as Eligos #

Abraxas Abraxas ( grc-x-biblical, ἀβραξάς, abraxas, variant form romanized: ) is a word of mystic meaning in the system of the Gnostic Basilides, being there applied to the "Great Archon" (), the princeps of the 365 spheres (). The word is found ...

/Abracas # Adramelech # Aguares #

Alastor Alastor (; Ancient Greek: Ἀλάστωρ, English translation: "avenger") refers to a number of people and concepts in Greek mythology: *Alastor, an epithet of the Greek God Zeus, according to Hesychius of Alexandria and the ''Etymologicum Ma ...

# Alocer # Amduscias #

Amon Amon may refer to: Mythology * Amun, an Ancient Egyptian deity, also known as Amon and Amon-Ra * Aamon, a Goetic demon People Momonym * Amon of Judah ( 664– 640 BC), king of Judah Given name * Amon G. Carter (1879–1955), American pu ...

# Andras #

Azazel In the Bible, the name Azazel (; he, עֲזָאזֵל ''ʿAzāʾzēl''; ar, عزازيل, ʿAzāzīl) appears in association with the scapegoat rite; the name represents a desolate place where a scapegoat bearing the sins of the Jews during Y ...

# Balan #

Barbatos Barbatos is the 8th spirit named among the list of 72 demons in ''The Lesser Key of Solomon''. According to grimoire tradition, he holds the rank of Duke, and (like the demon Buer) may appear when the sun is in the sign of Sagittarius. When su ...

Belphegor In Christian demonology, Belphegor (or Beelphegor, he, בַּעַל-פְּעוֹר ''Báʿal-pəʿór'' - Lord of the Gap) is a demon. In later Kabbalah Belphegor is a demon who helps people make discoveries. He seduces people by suggesting to ...

# Belzebuth # Berith #

Bhairava Bhairava (Sanskrit: भैरव ) or Kala Bhairava is a Shaivite and Vajrayāna deity worshiped by Hindus and Buddhists. In Shaivism, he is a powerful manifestation, or avatar, of Shiva associated with annihilation. In Trika system ''Bhairava ...

/Beyrevra # Buer # Caacrinolaas #

Cali Santiago de Cali (), or Cali, is the capital of the Valle del Cauca department, and the most populous city in southwest Colombia, with 2,227,642 residents according to the 2018 census. The city spans with of urban area, making Cali the second ...

# Caym # Cerbere #

Deimos Deimos, a Greek word for ''dread'', may refer to: * Deimos (deity), one of the sons of Ares and Aphrodite in Greek mythology * Deimos (moon), the smaller and outermost of Mars' two natural satellites * Elecnor Deimos, a Spanish aerospace company * ...

/Deumus #

Eurynome Eurynomê (; Ancient Greek: Εὐρυνόμη, from , ''eurys'', "broad" and , ''nomos'', "pasture" or "law") is a name that refers to the following characters in Greek mythology: *Eurynome, pre-Olympian queen and wife of Ophion * Eurynome (Ocean ...

# Flaga # Flavros #

Forcas Forcas may refer to one of the two demons depicted in Ars Goetia and Pseudomonarchia Daemonum: * Foras (Forcas, Forras, Forracis), President of Hell, commanding 29 legions of demons; * Furcas In demonology, Furcas (also spelled Forcas) is a Kn ...

Furfur In demonology, Furfur (other spelling: Furtur, Ferthur) is a powerful Great Earl of Hell, being the ruler of twenty-six legions of demons. He is a liar unless compelled to enter a magic triangle where he gives true answers to every question, spe ...

Ganga The Ganges ( ) (in India: Ganga ( ); in Bangladesh: Padma ( )). "The Ganges Basin, known in India as the Ganga and in Bangladesh as the Padma, is an international river to which India, Bangladesh, Nepal and China are the riparian states." is ...

/Gramma #

Garuda Garuda (Sanskrit: ; Pāli: ; Vedic Sanskrit: गरुळ Garuḷa) is a Hindu demigod and divine creature mentioned in the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. He is primarily depicted as the mount (''vahana'') of the Hindu god Vishnu. Garuda is a ...

Guayota Guayota, in Guanche mythology of Tenerife (the Canary Islands), was the principal malignant deity and Achamán's adversary. Mythology According to Guanche legend, Guayota lived inside the Teide volcano, one of the gateways to the underworld. He wa ...

# Gomory #

Haborym The demons' names (given below) are taken from the ''Ars Goetia'', which differs in terms of number and ranking from the ''Pseudomonarchia Daemonum'' of Johann Weyer. As a result of multiple translations, there are multiple spellings for some of t ...

# Ipes #

Lamia LaMia Corporation S.R.L., operating as LaMia (short for ''Línea Aérea Mérida Internacional de Aviación''), was a Bolivian charter airline headquartered in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, as an EcoJet subsidiary. It had its origins from the failed ...

# Lechies #

Leonard Leonard or ''Leo'' is a common English language, English masculine given name and a surname. The given name and surname originate from the Old High German ''Leonhard'' containing the prefix ''levon'' ("lion") from the Greek wikiwikiweb:Λέων, � ...

Lucifer Lucifer is one of various figures in folklore associated with the planet Venus. The entity's name was subsequently absorbed into Christianity as a name for the devil. Modern scholarship generally translates the term in the relevant Bible passage ...

Malphas In demonology, Malphas is a demon who first appears in Johann Weyer's ''Pseudomonarchia Daemonum''. That work and the The Lesser Key of Solomon, ''Lesser Key of Solomon'' describe him as a mighty Great President of Hell, with 40 legions of demo ...

Mammon Mammon in the New Testament of the Bible is commonly thought to mean money, material wealth, or any entity that promises wealth, and is associated with the greedy pursuit of gain. The Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke both quote Jesus us ...

Marchosias In demonology, Marchosias is a great and mighty Marquis of Hell, commanding thirty legions of demons. In the Ars Goetia, the first book of ''The Lesser Key of Solomon'' (17th century), he is depicted as a wolf with gryphon's wings and a serpent's t ...

Melchom Melchom is a demon or spirit in the ''Dictionnaire Infernal''. It is the god or idol of the Ammonites, otherwise called Moloch, and Melech: which in Hebrew signifies a king, and Melchom signifies their unearthly king, referring to their unholy id ...

Moloch Moloch (; ''Mōleḵ'' or הַמֹּלֶךְ‎ ''hamMōleḵ''; grc, Μόλοχ, la, Moloch; also Molech or Molek) is a name or a term which appears in the Hebrew Bible several times, primarily in the book of Leviticus. The Bible strongly co ...

# Nickar # Nybbas #

Orobas In demonology, Orobas is a powerful Great Prince of Hell, having twenty wikt:Legion, legions of demons under his control. He supposedly gives true answers of things past, present, divinity, and the creation of the world; he also confers dignit ...

Paimon Paimon is a spirit named in early grimoires. These include ''The Lesser Key of Solomon'' (in the ''Ars Goetia''), Johann Weyer's ''Pseudomonarchia Daemonum'', Collin de Plancy's ''Dictionnaire Infernal'', the ''Livre des Esperitz'' (as "''Poym ...

# Picollus #

Pruflas ''Pseudomonarchia Daemonum'', or ''False Monarchy of Demons'', first appears as an Appendix to ''De praestigiis daemonum'' (1577) by Johann Weyer.Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (Liber officiorum spirituum); Johann Weyer, ed. Joseph Peterson; 2000. Avai ...

/Busas # Rahovart # Ribesal #

Ronwe In demonology, Ronove is a Marquis and Great Earl of Hell, commanding twenty legions of demons. He teaches art, rhetoric, languages, and gives good and loyal servants the favour of friends and foes. He is depicted as a monster holding a staff, ...

# Scox # Stolas # Tap # Torngarsuk # Ukobach #

Volac Valac is a demon described in the goetic grimoires ''The Lesser Key of Solomon'' (in some versions as Ualac or Valak and in Thomas Rudd's variant as Valu), Johann Weyer's ''Pseudomonarchia Daemonum'' (as Volac), the ''Liber Officiorum Spiritu ...

Wall A wall is a structure and a surface that defines an area; carries a load; provides security, shelter, or soundproofing; or, is decorative. There are many kinds of walls, including: * Walls in buildings that form a fundamental part of the supe ...

Xaphan Xaphan is one of the fallen angels that rebelled with Satan against God, and is a demon of the 2nd rank. During the rebellion against Heaven, he proposed to set fire to heaven before he and the other fallen were cast out. After being cast out ...

Yan-gant-y-tan ''Yan-gant-y-tan'' is the name of a demon from Brittany, France.Sirdar Ikbal Ali ShahOccultism: Its Theory and Practice p. 160 (1994)(4 July 1857)Superstitions and Traditions ''Household Words'' Etymology Collin de Plancy, in the ''Dictionnaire ...

Zaebos Zaebos is a demon or spirit in the ''Dictionnaire Infernal The ''Dictionnaire infernal'' ( en, "Infernal Dictionary") is a book on demonology, describing demons organised in hierarchies. It was written by Jacques Collin de Plancy and first pub ...

Early editions

Contents of the ''Dictionaire Infernal'' varied across different early imprints: * 1818: first edition * 1825: second edition * 1826: reprint of second edition * 1844: third edition * 1845: fourth edition * 1853: fifth edition * 1863: sixth edition, illustrated by Louis le Breton

References

External links

''Dictionnaire infernal, ou, Recherches et anecdotes, sur les démons'', les, 1818
at Google Books, PDF download available
''Dictionnaire infernal, ou Recherches et anecdotes sur les démons'', 1844
at Google Books, PDF download available
''Dictionnaire des sciences occultes: ou, Répertoire universel des êtres'', des, 1848
at Google Books, PDF download available
''Dictionnaire infernal: ou Répertoire universel des êtres, des personnages'', 1853
582 pages – at Google Books PDF download available
''Dictionnaire infernal: ou Répertoire universel des êtres, des personnages'', 1863
PDF download available.
Deliriums Realm – ''Dictionnaire Infernal''

on the site of the electronic library of Lisieux {{Authority control 1818 non-fiction books Demons Demonological literature Occult books Catholic engraving