I don’t speak French, but that does not mean I can’t appreciate The Dictionnaire Infernal (1818–1863) created by Colin De Plancy. This famous collection of demons and underworld characters is now up on the Internet Archive. The demon portraits were the work of Louis Le Breton, and have been inspiration for all sorts of humans over the centuries. De Plancy had this to say about the book…
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.
One of the Seven Princes of Hell: The demon Bael with his three heads.
The demon Buer—President of Hell.
The Beast Behemoth.
Andras—Killer of Men.
Demon Regent Asmodeus.
Astaroth—Crowned Prince of Hell.
Belphegor—one of the Seven Princes of Hell taking a dump.
Belphegor—one of the Seven Princes of Hell taking a dump.
Eurynome—a netherworld demon.
Lechies, demon of the woods.
Leonard—Demon and Master of the Nocturnal Orgies.
Lucifer.
The demon Ukobach—inventor of fireworks and the art of frying food.
