Lilith— Hebrew/Jewish Demon"Mother of Demons"

The First Woman

In Jewish mystical tradition, Lilith was the first woman, created from the same earth as Adam rather than from his rib. She was his equal in every way—and therein lay the conflict. When Adam demanded she be subservient, Lilith spoke the ineffable name of God and flew away from Eden, choosing exile over submission.

Mother of Demons

God sent three angels to bring Lilith back, but she refused. As punishment (or perhaps as consequence of her choice), she was cursed: one hundred of her demon children would die each day. In her rage and grief, Lilith became a threat to human infants and pregnant women. Amulets bearing the names of the three angels were used for centuries to ward off her influence.

Queen of the Night

Lilith dwells in the wilderness, particularly in ruins and desolate places. She is associated with the screech owl and the night wind. In some traditions, she is a seductress who visits men in their sleep, spawning more demons from these encounters. She represents the dangerous feminine—independence, sexuality, and power that refuses to be controlled.

The Shadow of Eve

After Lilith's departure, God created Eve from Adam's rib—a second wife designed to be more compliant. Yet Lilith's shadow haunts the edges of the Garden story, a reminder of the path not taken. In Kabbalistic texts, she becomes a cosmic figure, sometimes paired with Samael as a dark mirror to Adam and Eve.

Cultural Legacy

Lilith has been reclaimed in modern times as a symbol of feminine independence and rebellion against patriarchy. Her story resonates across cultures—from Mesopotamian wind demons to medieval Jewish protective magic to contemporary feminist reinterpretation. She remains one of mythology's most complex and enduring figures.