26 Items Tagged

Demons

Demon’s Hand Prints in the Rocks

According to local folklore, a demon left his handprints on these boulders, which became the prefecture’s namesake.

Yokai Art Museum

This unique museum explores the world of Japanese demons and spirits.

Häxan sets featured a mash-up of iconographies, from Satanism to classical death motifs.

Behold the Weird Glory of Häxan, A Wild 1922 Film About Witchcraft

The ground-breaking documentary blended academic research with salacious scenes of torture and nudity. Censors weren't having it.

Gavia Baker-Whitelaw April 29, 2024

In Norse mythology, the wolves Sköll and Hati were hungry for the Sun and Moon.

Behold Rahu, the Beheaded Asura, and Other Eclipse Monsters of Yore

From cosmic serpents to demon warriors, these creatures have been blamed for messing with the Sun and Moon.

Robert Lamb March 11, 2024

Kamakura, Japan

Hansobo Shrine

A mountaintop shrine-temple guarded by a horde of half-demon priests.

Each night during his journey across the netherworld, the sun god Ra's barque crosses the desert Rostau, realm of the falcon god Sokar, borne by snakes.

In Ancient Egypt, the Duat Was a Netherworld of Gods and Monsters

A guide called the Amduat helped pharaohs navigate the complex afterlife.

Nicky Nielsen October 3, 2023

Podcast: Demon Wall

The devil's in the details of this disturbing Norwegian church mural.

The Podcast Team August 17, 2023

A Hindu priest holds a lit coconut oil lamp in front of statues of Prince Vijaya (left) and Kuweni (right) at the Sri Subramaniam temple in the southern Sri Lankan town of Matara.

How This Demon Dance Banishes Illnesses in Sri Lanka's Remote Jungles

The kankariya dance all started with a legendary demon queen named Kuweni.

Zinara Rathnayake May 4, 2023

Eye-Eating Demon of Inari Kio

Only recently added to the shrine, this googly-eyed snail demon of unknown origin is said to have eye-healing powers.

A member of the Milwaukee Krampus Eigenheit was one of dozens of furry, horned menaces swatting onlookers with switches during the annual Milwaukee Krampusnacht.

Krampus Is the Christmas Icon We Need—And Maybe the One We Deserve

At Milwaukee’s Krampusnacht, we go in search of the essence of Santa’s unholy enforcer.

Gemma Tarlach December 9, 2022

Armed with experts, psychics, and equipment, singer-songwriter Kesha went ghost hunting in one of America's most haunted places.

Why a Popstar Wanted to Go Ghost Hunting

Haunted places have a lot to tell us about ourselves.

Kesha October 27, 2022

Rampant demons

Gloucestershire, England

Stained Glass Demons of Fairford

A rampant horde of demons smirk and snarl at visitors to this church, home to a rare complete set of medieval-era stained glass windows.

In a small village in southern Norway, a church wall is filled with thousands of tiny demons—and that's not the oddest thing about the mural.

The Curious Case of Norway’s Disturbing Demon Wall

A respected conservator restoring a centuries-old church mural saw the devil in the details—and created a wholly imagined, diabolical scene.

Gemma Tarlach October 13, 2021

5 Sites to Spot Satan in New Hampshire

50 States of Wonder

Whether the Nain Rouge is friendly or fiendish, he's definitely red and demonic.

The Spirited Afterlife of Detroit’s Little Red Demon

The Nain Rouge has been stirring up trouble—and maybe generating some goodwill—for more than 300 years.

Jessica Leigh Hester October 28, 2019

Louisville, Kentucky

The Witches' Tree

Locals place their offerings on this nightmarish gnarled tree so the witches won't summon another storm.

Permanently Closed

Le Stryge.

Le Stryge

This demon atop the Notre-Dame de Paris looks utterly bored.

Demons portrayed in the stained-glass windows of Strasbourg Cathedrals.

Strasbourg, France

Stained-Glass Demons

Explore this medieval cathedral by trying to spot all the malevolent monsters hiding in its beautifully colored windows.