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Paimon

Paimon is a prominent demon king in Western demonology, featured as the ninth spirit in the Ars Goetia, the first book of the 17th-century grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon. Described as greatly obedient to Lucifer, he manifests as a crowned man riding a dromedary, heralded by a raucous procession of spirits sounding trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments. Paimon's appearance is marked by a loud, roaring voice that is often hard to understand without magical compulsion, and he commands 200 legions of spirits—half from the angelic orders and half from the potentates. He is associated with the western direction and the order of dominions (or dominations), requiring offerings when summoned alone and attended by subordinate kings such as Labal and Abali. Among his notable abilities, Paimon imparts comprehensive knowledge of all , sciences, and secrets to the conjurer, including details on the Earth's structure, winds, waters, and philosophical matters. He can confer dignities and honors, provide skilled familiars proficient in liberal sciences, and bind or release individuals according to the magician's desires. These attributes position him as a key figure for those seeking intellectual enlightenment and influence through goetic . The figure of Paimon appears in other historical grimoires, such as the by (1577), which predates and influences the Ars Goetia, though with slight variations in description.

Description in Demonology

Rank and Status

In demonological traditions, particularly within the Ars Goetia section of the Lesser Key of Solomon, Paimon is designated as the ninth spirit in the hierarchical order of 72 infernal entities. He holds the rank of a , commanding 200 legions of spirits, with half belonging to the order of Angels and the other half to Potentates. This positions him as a high-ranking authority in the infernal hierarchy, overseeing lesser demons and requiring specific offerings or constraints during to ensure compliance. Paimon's status is further emphasized by his unparalleled obedience to , described as greater than that of other , marking him as the most loyal among the infernal rulers. When summoned alone, he is attended by two subordinate , Labal and Abalim, along with 25 legions of Potentates, underscoring his command over a structured host within the broader demonic order. This loyalty and hierarchical dominance establish Paimon as a pivotal figure, directly answerable to while exercising authority over vast spiritual forces. Across other grimoires, variations in Paimon's rank and legion count appear. In Johann Weyer's , he is the 22nd spirit and retains the title of , governing 200 legions. Some interpretations, such as certain editions of the Ars Goetia, reduce his legions to 100, reflecting textual discrepancies in transmission. In the Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, Paimon is reclassified as one of the eight sub-princes (functioning akin to dukes) under the four superior princes—, , , and —shifting his status to a mid-tier infernal officer without altering his core authoritative role. These differences highlight evolving depictions in Renaissance-era texts, where Paimon's position consistently denotes significant power but varies in precise title and scale.

Appearance and Summoning

In demonological grimoires such as the Ars Goetia, Paimon manifests as a crowned man with an effeminate countenance, seated upon a dromedary camel. His arrival is heralded by a tumultuous host of spirits resembling men, who precede him bearing trumpets, well-sounding cymbals, and various other musical instruments, creating a din of . This dramatic procession underscores his kingly status and the grandeur of his evocation. Summoning Paimon requires precise ritual preparations to ensure safety and compliance, including the creation and use of his specific , often drawn on virgin with or, in some traditions, to bind the effectively. The exorcist must wear this sigil as a lamen upon their breast and construct a protective magical circle, typically oriented toward the northwest, Paimon's directional domain. Historical instructions from the Ars Goetia emphasize the need for the summoner to assert authority, sometimes by donning a or holding symbols of to mirror Paimon's regal form and compel obedience. Offerings such as incense are mandatory, particularly if Paimon is invoked alone, as he is then accompanied by the kings Bebal and Abalam along with an additional 25 legions of spirits. Upon manifestation, Paimon initially speaks in a roaring, thunderous voice that may be difficult for the to comprehend, necessitating a firm command to adopt a clearer tone. He demands precise and authoritative instructions from the summoner, responding affably once compelled but requiring constant vigilance to maintain control. Improper summoning, such as neglecting the , , or offerings, risks the overwhelming presence of his noisy host flooding the ritual space, potentially disrupting the or endangering the practitioner.

Powers and Abilities

Knowledge and Teachings

In demonological traditions, Paimon is renowned for imparting profound intellectual and esoteric knowledge to those who successfully summon him, positioning him as a preeminent teacher among infernal spirits. According to the Ars Goetia section of the Lesser Key of Solomon, Paimon teaches all arts and sciences, along with secret knowledge that encompasses and other disciplines, enabling the conjurer to grasp complex subjects rapidly. This instructional capacity extends to practical revelations, such as the nature of the , the forces sustaining it amid waters, the essence and location of the mind, and any other inquiries posed by the summoner. Paimon's teachings further include disclosures about natural phenomena and temporal insights, revealing hidden truths concerning the , winds, waters, and events of the past, present, and future. The Pseudomonarchia Daemonum by describes him as providing explanations of the world's disposition, the Earth's constitution, its support within waters and , the origins of winds, and similar , thereby offering a comprehensive understanding of cosmic and elemental structures. These revelations underscore his role in unveiling mysteries that bridge observable reality and principles, often tailored to the summoner's specific desires. A key aspect of Paimon's educational offerings is the provision of good familiars—spirit servants capable of imparting arts and sciences instantaneously, serving as extensions of his own vast erudition. Additionally, he possesses insight into the summoner's thoughts, declaring secret things and hidden matters, which facilitates a direct and intuitive transmission of wisdom. Grimoires emphasize Paimon's proficiency in liberal sciences, such as and astronomy, as well as mechanical arts like , positioning him as a conduit for both theoretical and applied knowledge.

Associations and Commands

In the Ars Goetia of the Lesser Key of Solomon, Paimon possesses the authority to bind individuals to the summoner's will by subjecting resistors to the exorcist's command. This influence extends to social dynamics through Paimon's coercive powers. Paimon further bestows dignities, titles, and favors from ruling authorities upon the summoner, granting elevated social status and confirmations of position as part of his dominion over human affairs. These abilities underscore his role in elevating the practitioner's standing within hierarchical structures, often invoked as a prerequisite to deeper intellectual teachings. Associated with command over and , Paimon's is heralded by a host of spirits bearing trumpets, cymbals, and other musical instruments, producing a roaring din that must be compelled to clarity. Among his specific commands, Paimon provides obedient familiars skilled in various arts and sciences, serving the summoner faithfully upon request. In Renaissance-era occult rituals, as outlined in grimoires like the , Paimon was invoked facing north to secure over others, leveraging his kingly command over legions for practical outcomes in social and material domains.

Etymology and Origins

Name Derivation

The etymology of "Paimon" remains uncertain, with no definitive origin established in historical or linguistic scholarship. Popular theories suggest a possible link to the Hebrew word pa'amon (פַּעֲמוֹן), meaning "bell," potentially referencing the noisy procession accompanying the spirit's appearance, but this lacks direct attestation in primary sources or academic analysis. In medieval grimoires, the name appears in various transliterations, such as "Paymon" in Weyer's (1577) and occasionally as "Paimonia" in manuscript variants of the Goetia within (17th century), reflecting phonetic adaptations during the transmission of Solomonic magic. These forms standardized as "Paimon" in English occult literature by the .

Historical Texts and Variations

Paimon's first known appearance in demonological literature is in Johann Weyer's (1577), which lists him as the twenty-second demon among sixty-nine, portraying him as a of the west who manifests on a with an effeminate face, teaches , secrets of the world, and origins of winds, and commands twenty-five legions. Weyer's account, appended to his treatise , notes Paimon's obstinacy and requires invocation toward the north. This portrayal influenced the later 17th-century grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon, particularly the Ars Goetia section, where Paimon is the ninth spirit among seventy-two, classified as a great king obedient to , commanding two hundred legions of spirits—half from the order of angels and half from powers. The text describes his appearance as crowned upon a amid a noisy host and emphasizes his role as a teacher of arts, sciences, and secret knowledge. Jacques Collin de Plancy's Dictionnaire Infernal (1818) reinforces Paimon's status as a king ruling two hundred legions, with dominion over the western quarter and an association with the air element. It retains attributes like his crowned appearance and abilities to confer dignities, reconcile enmities, and reveal secrets, while advising exorcists to avoid gazing westward during summoning. No earlier attestations of Paimon appear in pre-16th-century texts, suggesting the figure emerged in Renaissance demonology. In 19th- and 20th-century occult revivals, Paimon received attention through Aleister Crowley's The Book of the Goetia of Solomon the King (1904), integrating Goetic invocations into Thelemic practices for knowledge and divine conversation.

Hierarchies and Relationships

Connection to Lucifer

In demonological texts, Paimon is consistently portrayed as 's most obedient servant among the infernal kings, frequently invoked to execute the Devil's directives. This unique allegiance underscores Paimon's role as a reliable enforcer within the hierarchy of , where he commands vast legions while remaining subordinate to 's supreme authority. Paimon's hierarchical position is explicitly delineated as that of a chief king directly under Lucifer, setting him apart from other Goetic spirits whose loyalties are less singularly tied to the fallen angel. For instance, in Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577), Paimon is described as "more obedient in Lucifer than other kings are," with Lucifer interpreted as the prideful entity cast from heaven, emphasizing Paimon's preferential status. Similarly, the Ars Goetia section of the Lesser Key of Solomon (17th century) states that Paimon is "very obedient to Lucifer," governing 200 legions yet bound by this fealty, in contrast to figures like Bael, who lack such specified devotion. This distinction highlights Paimon's function as a key lieutenant in Lucifer's domain, rather than an independent ruler. Some modern occult practices recommend invoking Lucifer prior to summoning Paimon due to his noted obedience, though it is not required in all interpretations. The Liber Officiorum Spirituum (15th-16th century), alongside Weyer and the Ars Goetia, echoes this obedience.

Elemental and Directional Associations

In traditions derived from the Ars Goetia, Paimon is specifically invoked toward the , establishing his primary directional association with that quarter of the magical circle. This positioning reflects his role as one of the four cardinal kings of infernal hierarchy—alongside Oriens (east), Ariton (north), and (south)—where he governs the kingdom of the in the symbolic geography of . Paimon's elemental affinity is tied to air, stemming from descriptions of his tumultuous arrival accompanied by a host of spirits producing loud, resonant noises through trumpets and cymbals, evoking atmospheric disturbance. This connection is further supported by his attributed teachings on the origins and nature of winds, as detailed in Johann Weyer's Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, where he reveals "where the wind is and whence it comes." In , Paimon's directional and elemental ties inform practical rituals, where invocations occur in the western quadrant of the circle to align with his domain, often timed to lunar phases for amplifying revelations of secrets or atmospheric phenomena. Traditional sources provide limited detail on adaptations in modern , where some practitioners invoke Paimon specifically for air-element based work to harness winds of change or intellectual clarity, though such uses diverge from classical grimoires.

Cultural Depictions

Occult Practices and Possession

In the Ars Goetia, part of the 17th-century grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon, Paimon is evoked through a structured designed to compel the spirit's appearance for without allowing direct bodily . The stands within a protective circle inscribed with divine names such as Adonai and , while Paimon is commanded to manifest visibly and affably in an adjacent triangle of art, a geometric figure drawn outside the circle to contain the spirit and prevent it from approaching or entering the summoner. This setup facilitates communication, where Paimon imparts arts, sciences, and hidden truths, but the separation ensures the knowledge is conveyed externally rather than through invasive merger. Protective measures are central to the ritual to avert hostile possession, including the use of the triangle of art—often equilateral and positioned to the west, Paimon's directional association—and the wearing of a lamen bearing the spirit's seal over the heart to assert authority. Failure to maintain ritual purity, such as stepping outside the circle, risks the spirit overwhelming the magician. Documented risks in these practices include Paimon inducing temporary madness or binding the summoner to servitude if commands lack clarity or if protective barriers falter, as the spirit's obedience is conditional on the magician's dominance. In 19th-century occult literature, discussed general risks of evocations in Transcendental Magic (1856), including how breaking the circle during an invocation could lead to , causing or subjugation. In 21st-century neopagan and Demonolatry practices, Paimon is adapted into non-Christian evocations found in modern grimoires, such as those emphasizing consensual spirit contact for empowerment without invocations, often integrating correspondences for safer exchange in Wiccan-influenced circles. These contemporary rituals prioritize psychological preparation and voluntary partial for direct insight, mitigating traditional dangers through adapted protections like visualized barriers.

In Modern Popular Culture

In the video game Genshin Impact, released in 2020 by , Paimon serves as the and floating companion to the player character, the , guiding them through the world of Teyvat with her bubbly, whimsical personality and vast of the game's lore. Her name and traits draw inspiration from the demonological figure in the Ars Goetia, where Paimon is renowned for imparting on arts, sciences, and , reflected in her role as an informative guide who often provides exposition and humorous commentary. This adaptation reimagines the demon's scholarly and obedient nature into a lighthearted, fairy-like entity, emphasizing whimsy over menace while hinting at deeper mysteries through fan theories about her origins. In the 2018 horror film Hereditary, directed by , Paimon is portrayed as a malevolent possessing central to a family's generational , orchestrated by a seeking to manifest him in a suitable male host. The entity first inhabits the young Graham by error, leading to chaotic and noisy manifestations such as eerie clucking sounds, , and telekinetic disturbances that escalate the family's psychological unraveling. By the film's climax, Paimon fully possesses Peter Graham, the surviving son, in a ritualistic , underscoring themes of inherited trauma and inevitable doom through subtle auditory cues and symbolic imagery like the demon's sigil. Paimon's appearances in modern literature often highlight his traditional role as a knowledge-granting demon, adapted into narratives of occult discovery and forbidden wisdom. In video games and anime, Paimon features prominently in the Shin Megami Tensei (SMT) series, where he is summonable as a powerful demon ally or foe, often ranked as a King of Hell with abilities tied to wind and knowledge-based attacks, updated for crossover narratives in titles like SMT V: Vengeance (2024). The series reinterprets his Goetic origins to fit fusion mechanics and apocalyptic storylines, allowing players to harness his command over legions for strategic battles. In the animated series Helluva Boss (2020–present), created by Vivienne Medrano, Paimon is depicted as a high-ranking Goetic demon and the neglectful father of Prince Stolas, portrayed as a shape-shifting, arrogant king who arranges politically motivated marriages, emphasizing his hierarchical status in Hell's aristocracy. As of November 2025, Paimon's influence extends to emerging , including the comic book series : Dark Descent, a to the 1997 film released starting August 2025, where he manifests through demonic servants like a growing wheel of eyes, corrupting a crew in a sci-fi context that amplifies his possessive and knowledge-hoarding traits. This adaptation highlights his role in modern webcomics and interactive formats, where apps and experiences occasionally incorporate Goetic demons like Paimon for educational or immersive simulations, expanding his presence beyond traditional into platforms.

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