Incubus
Also called incubus, Follet, Folletto.
An incubus is a lustful male demon of European folklore and Church tradition who assumes human form to lie with sleeping women, mirrored by the female succubus.
At a glance
- Tradition
- European folklore (general)
- Trait family
- The Water-Beckoners
Near this figure
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Behaviour
- Transforms human to seduce
why
church writers of the period frequently discussed the incubus as a species of fallen angel or demon whose lust for human women led it to take physical, if illusory, form.
Utility powers
- Shapeshifting
why
church writers of the period frequently discussed the incubus as a species of fallen angel or demon whose lust for human women led it to take physical, if illusory, form.
Curses
- Seductive charm
why
The incubus is a figure widespread in medieval and early modern European folklore and theology, described across sources as a male demon who assumes a human shape in order to have intercourse with women, typically while they sleep.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Shadow carries both readings
5 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Incubus."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Incubus."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Incubus."
- Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology.
- Wirt Sikes, British Goblins.
- Trickster carries both readings
5 citations
- Ad de Vries, Dictionary of Symbols and Imagery, s.v. "Incubus."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Incubus."
- Katharine Briggs, An Encyclopedia of Fairies, s.v. "Incubus."
- Thomas Keightley, The Fairy Mythology.
- Wirt Sikes, British Goblins.