Succubus vs. Incubus — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 26, 2023
A "Succubus" is a female demon believed to have sexual relations with sleeping men, while an "Incubus" is its male counterpart, preying on sleeping women.
Difference Between Succubus and Incubus
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Key Differences
The term "Succubus" originates from folklore and describes a female demon or supernatural entity that appears in dreams, typically in a seductive form, and seeks to engage in sexual activity with men. The encounters often have a draining or life-sapping effect on the male victim. Conversely, an "Incubus" is the male version of this entity, known to target women in a similar manner. It too appears in dreams, often with a seductive or overpowering presence, and engages in intimate relations.
Historically, the concept of the "Succubus" and "Incubus" has been used in various cultures to explain nocturnal disturbances or phenomena that couldn't be readily understood. The appearance and behavior of these entities vary, but both the Succubus and Incubus have been characterized as tempters that exploit the vulnerabilities of their victims in a dreamlike state.
It's also interesting to note that some lore suggests the possibility of a "Succubus" transforming into an "Incubus" and vice-versa. This duality emphasizes the fluidity and mysterious nature of these entities. Despite their gender differences, both the Succubus and Incubus play similar roles as nocturnal tempters, preying on human desires and fears.
In modern times, the terms "Succubus" and "Incubus" are often used metaphorically. They might describe someone who is irresistibly seductive yet ultimately harmful, playing on the historical representation of these demons as both enticing and destructive.
Comparison Chart
Gender
Female
Male
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Targets
Men
Women
Origin
Folklore, various cultures
Folklore, various cultures
Role
Tempter in dreams, sexual entity
Tempter in dreams, sexual entity
Modern Metaphoric Usage
Seductive but harmful female presence/force
Seductive but harmful male presence/force
Compare with Definitions
Succubus
A temptress exploiting vulnerabilities in a dreamlike state.
Tales warned of the Succubus luring men into a trance.
Incubus
A male demon seeking to engage in sexual activity with sleeping women.
The village women were wary of the Incubus spoken of in hushed tales.
Succubus
A metaphorical representation of a seductive yet dangerous female.
His obsession with her was as if he were ensnared by a Succubus.
Incubus
An alluring but harmful male presence or force.
His influence over her was dark and powerful, like an Incubus.
Succubus
A supernatural entity appearing in dreams with a seductive female form.
He was haunted by dreams of a Succubus.
Incubus
A supernatural entity appearing in dreams with a seductive male form.
Night after night, she was visited by an Incubus in her dreams.
Succubus
A succubus is a demon or supernatural entity in folklore, in female form, that appears in dreams to seduce men, usually through sexual activity. According to religious traditions, repeated sexual activity with a succubus can cause poor physical or mental health, even death.
Incubus
A tempter exploiting vulnerabilities in a dreamlike state.
Legends told of the Incubus that seduced and entrapped unsuspecting women.
Succubus
A female demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men.
Incubus
A metaphorical representation of a seductive yet dangerous male.
He had an Incubus-like charm that many found hard to resist.
Succubus
A female demon supposed to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with a man while he sleeps.
Incubus
An incubus is a demon in male form who, according to mythological and legendary traditions, lies upon sleeping women in order to engage in sexual activity with them. Its female counterpart is a succubus.
Succubus
An evil spirit; a demon.
Incubus
A male demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women.
Succubus
(medieval folklore) A female demon which comes to men, especially monks, in their dreams to seduce them and have sexual intercourse, drawing energy from the men to sustain themselves, often until the point of exhaustion or death.
Incubus
An evil spirit supposed to descend upon and have sexual intercourse with women as they sleep.
Succubus
A strumpet, whore or prostitute.
Incubus
A nightmare.
Succubus
A demon or fiend; especially, a lascivious spirit supposed to have sexual intercourse with the men by night; a succuba. Cf. Incubus.
Incubus
An oppressive or nightmarish burden.
Succubus
The nightmare. See Nightmare, 2.
Incubus
(medieval folklore) An evil spirit supposed to oppress people while asleep, especially to have sex with women as they sleep.
Succubus
A female demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men
Incubus
A feeling of oppression during sleep, sleep paralysis; night terrors, a nightmare.
Succubus
A female demon seeking to engage in sexual activity with sleeping men.
Legends spoke of the Succubus visiting the village's men at night.
Incubus
(by extension) Any oppressive thing or person; a burden.
Succubus
An alluring but harmful female presence or force.
Her charm was so intense; some likened her to a Succubus.
Incubus
(entomology) One of various of parasitic insects, especially subfamily Aphidiinae.
Incubus
A demon; a fiend; a lascivious spirit, supposed to have sexual intercourse with women by night.
The devils who appeared in the female form were generally called succubi; those who appeared like men incubi, though this distinction was not always preserved.
Incubus
The nightmare. See Nightmare.
Such as are troubled with incubus, or witch-ridden, as we call it.
Incubus
Any oppressive encumbrance or burden; anything that prevents the free use of the faculties.
Debt and usury is the incubus which weighs most heavily on the agricultural resources of Turkey.
Incubus
A male demon believed to lie on sleeping persons and to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women
Incubus
A situation resembling a terrifying dream
Incubus
Someone who depresses or worries others
Common Curiosities
How does an Incubus differ from a Succubus?
An Incubus is the male counterpart of a Succubus, targeting sleeping women.
What is a Succubus?
A Succubus is a female demon known to engage in sexual activity with sleeping men.
Are these concepts modern?
No, both Succubus and Incubus originate from ancient folklore and various cultures.
Is the concept of Succubus and Incubus found in all cultures?
While many cultures have similar entities, their characteristics and narratives may differ.
Can the terms be used interchangeably?
No, Succubus is female and targets men, while Incubus is male and targets women.
What is the primary role of both in folklore?
Both the Succubus and Incubus are nocturnal tempters, preying on human desires in dreams.
How are they typically portrayed?
Both are often depicted as alluring, seductive figures that exploit vulnerabilities.
Can a Succubus transform into an Incubus?
Some lore suggests such a transformation, emphasizing their mysterious nature.
How do these entities affect their victims?
Both are believed to have a draining or life-sapping effect on those they target.
Do they have physical forms?
In many tales, they take on physical forms in dreams but can be shape-shifting or ethereal.
Are there any defenses against a Succubus or Incubus in folklore?
Various cultures offer rituals, talismans, or prayers to protect against these entities.
Do both entities appear in dreams?
Yes, both the Succubus and Incubus are known to manifest in a dreamlike state.
Are there modern uses for these terms?
Yes, they can metaphorically describe someone irresistibly seductive but harmful.
Are there any positive connotations with these terms?
Historically, both are viewed negatively, but modern uses might focus more on seduction than harm.
Are the Succubus and Incubus related in any way?
Both are supernatural entities with similar roles, and some tales suggest a possible transformation between the two.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
