Exorcism myths and legends

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The Demon of Bakhtan Surrendering to the Idol of Khonsu

🏺 Egyptian MythologyBalkh, AfghanistanPharaoh • Prince of Bakhtan • Princess Bentresh

When the Princess of Bakhtan was possessed by a powerful spirit, the Pharaoh of Egypt sent a sacred idol of the moon god Khonsu to heal her. Upon arriving in the distant land, the spirit recognized the divine authority of the god and agreed to depart peacefully after a grand feast. This tale of diplomatic divinity highlights the healing powers of Khonsu and the far-reaching influence of...

Zhong Kui the Demon Queller

🐉 Chinese MythologyZhongnan Mountains, Shaanxi, ChinaZhong Kui • Emperor Xuanzong of Tang • Du Ping

Zhong Kui was a brilliant scholar who, after being denied his rightful academic honors due to his appearance, became a powerful deity in the afterlife. He is celebrated as the King of Ghosts, tasked with hunting, capturing, and consuming malevolent spirits to protect the mortal realm. His story emphasizes the triumph of internal virtue over outward appearance and the necessity of spiritual...

Khonsu Traveling to Bakhtan to Exorcise an Evil Spirit from the Foreign Princess

🏺 Egyptian MythologyTemple of Khonsu at Karnak, EgyptKhonsu • Pharaoh Ramses II • Princess Bentresh

When the Princess of Bakhtan is possessed by a powerful spirit, the Pharaoh petitions the moon god Khonsu to send a divine healer to the distant land. A specific manifestation of the god travels across the desert to perform a successful exorcism through negotiation and a grand offering. The story highlights the protective power of Khonsu and the international reach of Egyptian religious...

Emperor Taizong Granting Zhong Kui the Title of King of Ghosts

🐉 Chinese MythologyXi'an, Shaanxi, ChinaZhong Kui • Emperor Taizong • Wu Daozi

During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Taizong fell into a deep illness haunted by a mischievous ghost until a vision of the scholar Zhong Kui appeared in his dreams to devour the spirit. Upon waking fully healed, the Emperor realized that Zhong Kui was a brilliant scholar who had committed suicide after being unfairly rejected for his appearance. In recognition of his loyalty and power, Taizong...