Demon facts for kids

A demon is often thought of as a powerful or evil spirit or creature. The idea of demons appears in many religions and stories around the world. Sometimes, people believe demons are spirits that live in a certain place. Other times, they are seen as beings that can influence people.

The word "demon" can also mean a type of computer program. These programs run in the background of a computer and do helpful tasks. This computer meaning is not related to the religious or mythical idea of demons.

Demons in Beliefs and Stories

In many stories and beliefs, a demon is a supernatural creature. It is usually seen as an evil spirit. People sometimes describe demons as being called upon by someone. Then, these demons might be sent to do bad things or cause trouble. When someone "demonizes" another person, it means they try to make that person seem evil.

Not all stories describe demons as evil. In some old writings, like those by Hesiod or Shakespeare, there are even good demons.

Religions that believe in only one God (called "monotheistic" religions) often teach that demons are rebellious. They are seen as beings who went against God but are still under God's power. For example, in the epic poem by John Milton, Satan rebels against God. He loses the fight and is only allowed to exist by God's will. In religions with many gods ("polytheistic" religions), demons can sometimes be as powerful as gods. In Hinduism, the goddess Kali represents destruction, which some people see as a "bad" force.

Demons in Western Beliefs

An old book from the Middle Ages called Ars Goetia talks about 72 demons. The book says a king called these demons and put them in a bronze container. This container was sealed with magical symbols. The demons then had to do what the king commanded. This book is all about spirits and demons, both good and evil, that were called using magic.

Many Christians believe that demons were once angels who turned bad. These angels fought against God. God won the battle with the help of Michael, as described in the Book of Revelation. God then sent these bad angels into a place called Hell. They were punished by not being able to see God anymore. These are often called the "fallen angels."

In the Greek New Testament and Hebrew Old Testament, demons are usually described as bad. In Hebrew, some demons are called se'irim. Other Hebrew writings say demons did not come from heaven. Instead, they came from another world and caused many problems. They were even thought to cause diseases. These demons were believed to have their own leader, who was not God.

In Islam, there are creatures called djinns. People usually cannot see djinns. They are said to be made of fire and have special powers. They can either help or harm people. However, djinns must always serve and obey God (Allah).

Demons in Eastern Beliefs

In Hinduism, demons are often called asuras. Patala is believed to be an underground place below the Earth where humans live. The word asura refers to supernatural beings that could be good or bad. Some Hindu beliefs say that people who do very evil things in their lives might be reborn as evil ghost spirits. These spirits are called Vetalas, Pishachas, Bhūtas.

Demons in Pop Culture

In the fictional manga series InuYasha, there are creatures called yokai. This is a Japanese word for supernatural beings, sometimes translated as "demon" in English. In these stories, yokai do not die easily. They also age much more slowly than humans.

The Computer Daemon

A daemon is a special type of computer program. You can find these programs on computers that use operating systems like Linux, BSD, and Mac OS X. (On Windows computers, these programs are usually called "services.") A daemon often starts when the computer turns on. It then does helpful tasks in the background. For example, some daemons might start other programs at a certain time. Others might wait for you to ask for a file from another computer. This computer term comes from the idea of Maxwell's Demon in physics, not from religious beliefs.

Images for kids

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  Mephistopheles (a medieval demon from German folklore) flying over Wittenberg, in a lithograph by Eugène Delacroix.

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  Ram-headed demon. The hands probably outstretch to hold two snakes. From a royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings, Thebes, Egypt. End of the 18th Dynasty, around 1325 BCE

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  The Army of Super Creatures – from The Saugandhika Parinaya Manuscript (1821 CE)

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  Arzhang (The Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp)

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  Black Div (The Shahnama of Shah Tahmasp)

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  Rostam carried by Akwan-Diwa (cropped)

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  Gate of Citadel of semnan 9. Rustam slaying the Div-e Sepid (White Div)

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  Medieval illumination from the Ottheinrich Folio depicting the exorcism of the Gerasene demoniac by Jesus

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  The Demon Seated by Mikhail Vrubel (1890), a symbolist painting inspired by the Russian romantic poem Demon by Mikhail Lermontov.

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  Death and the Miser (detail), a Hieronymus Bosch painting, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

See also

In Spanish: Demonio para niños