Lilith: Difference between revisions

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{{Femchar
| Names        =Lilith
| Species      = Human
| Occupation = First Woman
| Works        = Abrahamic tradition
| Image        =
| Caption      =
}}
In the Abrahamic religious/mythologic tradition, Lilith was the first lover of Adam, the first man. She was ejected from [[Eden]] for refusing to obey Adam, after which she was replaced with [[Eve]].  
In the Abrahamic religious/mythologic tradition, Lilith was the first lover of Adam, the first man. She was ejected from [[Eden]] for refusing to obey Adam, after which she was replaced with [[Eve]].  


In Judaic, Christian, and Islamic traditions, post-Eden Lilith is said to have given birth to various spirits, evil or malicious -- demons in the Christian tradition, [[djinn]] in the Arabic-Islamic tradition.
In Judaic, Christian, and Islamic traditions, post-Eden Lilith is said to have given birth to various spirits, evil or malicious — demons in the Christian tradition, [[djinn]] in the Arabic-Islamic tradition.


The idea of Lilith fed the medieval European folktales of the [[succubus]], a female demon who seduced men in their sleep, sapping them of their vital energies (nocturnal emissions).
The idea of Lilith fed the medieval European folktales of the [[succubus]], a [[List of female demons|female demon]] who seduced men in their sleep, sapping them of their vital energies (nocturnal emissions). In this sense she may also be related to [[vampire]] myths.


In Jewish folklore, Lilith has been identified with the Sumerian and Babylonian wind demons and child-slaying demons.
In Jewish folklore and mythology, Lilith has been identified with the Sumerian and Babylonian wind demons and [[infanticide|child-slaying]] demons.
 
Lilith is associated with wolves and owls.


Lilith is associated with [[wolves]] and [[owls]].


==References & Portrayals==
==References & Portrayals==


===Lilith in SF Texts===
===Lilith in SF Texts===
The myth has been evoked repeatedly in SF. Among the most notable examples are [[Octavia Butler]]'s Xenogenesis trilogy, which was reissued as ''[[Lilith's Brood]]''.
The myth has been evoked repeatedly in SF. Among the most notable examples are [[Octavia Butler]]'s [[Xenogenesis trilogy]], which was reissued in omnibus format as '''Lilith's Brood'''.


Among the oldest fantastic text references to Lilith are the standard Christian Bible in Isaiah 34:14 (circa 900 BCE):  
Among the oldest fantastic text references to Lilith are the standard Christian Bible in Isaiah 34:14 (circa 900 BCE):  
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  And the satyr shall cry to his fellow,
  And the satyr shall cry to his fellow,
  Yea, Lilith shall repose there
  Yea, Lilith shall repose there
  And find her a place of rest.  
  And find her a place of rest.
 
Other representations include:
* [[George MacDonald]], ''[[Lilith (1895 novel)|Lilith]]'' (1895)
* ''[[Supernatural (TV series)|Supernatural]]'' - the holder of the contract on Dean Winchester's soul, starting end of season 2 & throughout season 3; character throughout season 4


===Lilith in Paintings===
===Lilith in Paintings===
Lilith has also been repeatedly portrayed in artistic images. Among the most famous are fantastic painter [[Dante Gabriel Rossetti]]'s "Lady Lilith" (also titled "Body's Beauty") (1869). One version is available in the Delaware Art Museum.  
Lilith has also been repeatedly portrayed in artistic images. Among the most famous are fantastic painter [[Dante Gabriel Rossetti]]'s "Lady Lilith" (also titled "Body's Beauty") (1869). One version is available in the Delaware Art Museum.  


In modern times, H.R. Giger's Lilith is similarly well-known.
In modern times, H.R. Giger's Lilith is well-known, and is representative of Giger's typical monstrous feminine.


See also:  
See also:  
Line 49: Line 60:




[[category:Mythological Female Characters]]
[[category:Mythological characters]]
[[Category:Characters]]

Latest revision as of 18:59, 31 August 2011

Lilith

species: Human

First Woman

from
Abrahamic tradition

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In the Abrahamic religious/mythologic tradition, Lilith was the first lover of Adam, the first man. She was ejected from Eden for refusing to obey Adam, after which she was replaced with Eve.

In Judaic, Christian, and Islamic traditions, post-Eden Lilith is said to have given birth to various spirits, evil or malicious — demons in the Christian tradition, djinn in the Arabic-Islamic tradition.

The idea of Lilith fed the medieval European folktales of the succubus, a female demon who seduced men in their sleep, sapping them of their vital energies (nocturnal emissions). In this sense she may also be related to vampire myths.

In Jewish folklore and mythology, Lilith has been identified with the Sumerian and Babylonian wind demons and child-slaying demons.

Lilith is associated with wolves and owls.

References & Portrayals

Lilith in SF Texts

The myth has been evoked repeatedly in SF. Among the most notable examples are Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis trilogy, which was reissued in omnibus format as Lilith's Brood.

Among the oldest fantastic text references to Lilith are the standard Christian Bible in Isaiah 34:14 (circa 900 BCE):

  • KJV:

The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest.

  • 1901 American Standard Version:
And the wild beasts of the desert shall meet with the wolves, 
and the wild goat shall cry to his fellow; 
yea, the night-monster shall settle there, 
and shall find her a place of rest.
  • Raphael Patai's translation:
The wild-cat shall meet with the jackals
And the satyr shall cry to his fellow,
Yea, Lilith shall repose there
And find her a place of rest.

Other representations include:

  • George MacDonald, Lilith (1895)
  • Supernatural - the holder of the contract on Dean Winchester's soul, starting end of season 2 & throughout season 3; character throughout season 4

Lilith in Paintings

Lilith has also been repeatedly portrayed in artistic images. Among the most famous are fantastic painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti's "Lady Lilith" (also titled "Body's Beauty") (1869). One version is available in the Delaware Art Museum.

In modern times, H.R. Giger's Lilith is well-known, and is representative of Giger's typical monstrous feminine.

See also:

Bibliography

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