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Dictionnaire Infernal

The Dictionnaire Infernal (English: "Infernal Dictionary") is a book on demonology, describing demons organised in hierarchies. It was written by Jacques Collin de Plancy and first published in 1818.[1][2] There were several editions of the book; perhaps the most famous is the 1863 edition, which included sixty-nine illustrations by Louis Le Breton depicting the appearances of several of the demons. Many but not all of these images were later used in S. L. MacGregor Mathers's edition of The Lesser Key of Solomon.

Dictionnaire Infernal

History

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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 demonology.

A review in 1822 read:

Anecdotes of the nineteenth century or stories, recent anecdotes, features and little known words, singular adventures, various quotations, compilations and curious pieces, to be used for the history of the customs and the mind of the century in which we live, compared with centuries past.

The cover page for the 1826 edition reads:

Infernal Dictionary, or, a Universal Library on the beings, characters, books, deeds, and causes which pertain to the manifestations and magic of trafficking with Hell; divinations, occult sciences, grimoires, marvels, errors, prejudices, traditions, folktales, the various superstitions, and generally all manner of marvellous, surprising, mysterious, and supernatural beliefs.

Influenced by Voltaire, 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).[3]

The skepticism of Collin de Plancy increasingly subsided over time. By the end of 1830 he was an enthusiastic Roman Catholic, to the consternation of his former admirers.[citation needed] In later years, De Plancy rejected and modified his past works, thoroughly revising his Dictionnaire Infernal to conform with Roman Catholic theology. 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, a French priest, to complete a Dictionary of the occult sciences or theological Encyclopaedia, which is described as an authentic Roman Catholic work.[4][5]

Many articles written in the Dictionnaire Infernal illustrate the author's vacillation between rationalism, faith, and willingness to believe without evidence.[6] For example, he admits the possible effectiveness of chiromancy, while rejecting cartomancy: "It is certain that chiromancy, and especially physiognomy, 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).[3]

List of demons

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  1. Abaddon/Apollyon
  2. Abigor also known as Eligos
  3. Abraxas/Abracas
  4. Adramelech
  5. Aguares
  6. Alastor
  7. Alocer
  8. Amduscias
  9. Amon
  10. Andras
  11. Asmodeus
  12. Astaroth
  13. Azazel
  14. Bael
  15. Balan
  16. Barbatos
  17. Behemoth
  18. Beleth
  19. Belphegor
  20. Belzebuth
  21. Berith
  22. Bhairava/Beyrevra
  23. Buer
  24. Caacrinolaas
  25. Cali
  26. Caym
  27. Cerbere
  28. Deimos/Deumus
  29. Eurynome
  30. Flaga
  31. Flavros
  32. Forcas
  33. Furfur
  34. Ganga/Gramma
  35. Garuda
  36. Guayota
  37. Gomory
  38. Haborym
  39. Ipes
  40. Lamia
  41. Lechies
  42. Leonard
  43. Lucifer
  44. Malphas
  45. Mammon
  46. Marchosias
  47. Melchom
  48. Moloch
  49. Nickar
  50. Nybbas
  51. Orobas
  52. Paimon
  53. Picollus
  54. Pruflas/Busas
  55. Rahovart
  56. Ribesal
  57. Ronwe
  58. Scox
  59. Stolas
  60. Tap
  61. Torngarsuk
  62. Ukobach
  63. Volac
  64. Wall
  65. Xaphan
  66. Yan-gant-y-tan
  67. Zaebos

Early editions

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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

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Belanger, Michelle (8 October 2010). The Dictionary of Demons: Names of the Damned. Llewellyn Worldwide. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-7387-2745-5.
  2. ^ Dictionnaire infernal: répertoire universel des êtres, des personnages, des livres, des faits et des choses qui tiennent aux esprits ... H. Plon. 1863. p. 11.
  3. ^ a b "XLII/KWS 37/Dictionnaire infernal". Quarante-deux.org. 2012-04-25. Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
  4. ^ "Dictionnaire infernal – Chroniques Livre". La Horde Noire. Archived from the original on 2011-02-19. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
  5. ^ "Exorcisme catholique". Atheisme.free.fr. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
  6. ^ de Plancy, J Collin (2015). Infernal Dictionary Deluxe Edition. Abracax House. p. 764. ISBN 978-0997074512.
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