Paimon is a spirit named in earlygrimoires. These includeThe Lesser Key of Solomon (in theArs Goetia),[1]Johann Weyer'sPseudomonarchia Daemonum,[2]Jacques Collin de Plancy'sDictionnaire Infernal,[3] theLivre des Esperitz (as "Poymon"),[4] theLiber Officiorum Spirituum (asPaimon),[5][6]The Book of Abramelin,[7] and certain French editions ofThe Grimoire of Pope Honorius (asBayemon);[8][9] as well as British Library, Sloane MS 3824.[10]
TheGoetia and Weyer begin entries on King Paimon noting that he is quite obedient toLucifer.[1][2]
King Paimo(n) appears as the ninth spirit in theArs Goetia,[1] the 22nd spirit in thePseudomonarchia Daemonum,[2] and in theDictionnaire Infernal.[3] In theLiber Officiorum Spirituum, he is first listed as the sixth spirit[5][6] and later as the third king.[11][12]
TheGoetia, Weyer, de Plancy,Livre des Esperitz,Liber Officiorum Spirituum, and Sloane MS 3824 all rank Paimon as a king.[1][2][3][4][10][5][6][11][12][excessive citations] TheLivre des Espiritz, Sloane MS 3824, and theGrimoire of Pope Honorius specify that King Paimon is king of the west.[4][10][8][9] In theBook of Abramelin (where his appearance is given no description), he is instead one of the eight dukes. It is said that he has no power over the lord above and would be demolished in any battle.[7]
TheGoetia, Weyer, and de Plancy warn that if King Paimon appears alone, a sacrifice must be made to summon Lebal (sometimes called Bebal),[13] the most devoted to Lucifer, and Abalam, two kings who serve under him but do not always accompany him. These three sources state that he rules 66 legions of spirits, some of which are of theorder of Angels and the rest beingPowers.[1][2][3] TheLivre des Esperitz, on the other hand, credits him with just 25 legions of spirits.[4] Sloane MS 3824 mentions him as employing a "bishop" named Sperion, among other spirits.[10]
Critical editions of theLesser Key of Solomon list him as a formerDominion.[1] Weyer notes a confusion over whether he was a former Dominion orCherub.[2] According toThomas Rudd, King Paimon is opposed by theShem HaMephorash angel Haziel.[14]
In theGoetia, Weyer, de Plancy,Livre des Esperitz,Liber Officiorum Spirituum, he is described as a man riding adromedary, preceded by men playing loud music (particularly trumpets), as well as cymbals.[10][11][12][13] Sloane MS 3824 describes the camel as crowned,[10] while the rest describe King Paimon himself as crowned.[1][11][12] TheGoetia itself makes no mention of King Paimon's face,[1] while the rest describe him as having a beautiful face but still refer to him as male.[6][11][12]
Sloane MS 3824 and theLiber Officiorum Spirituum describe him as having a "Hoarse Voice",[10][5][12] and those works, Weyer, and theGoetia note that he must be commanded to speak,[1][11][12] with theLiber Officiorum Spirituum specifying that King Paimon will speak in his native language until commanded to converse in the summoner's own language.[11][12]
TheGoetia, Weyer,Livre des Esperitz, and theLiber Officiorum Spirituum all describe him as teaching science and answering other questions.[1][11][12] TheGoetia and Weyer specify that his knowledge includes all arts and "secret things" [sic], such as knowledge regarding the Earth, its waters, and the winds.[1][2] TheLivre des Esperitz and theLiber Officiorum Spirituum broaden this to truthfully answering all questions asked of him,[4][11][12] with the former source also claiming that he can reveal hidden treasures[4] and the latter highlighting that he knows all the affairs of the world.[11][12] The Goetia, Weyer, and theLivre des Esperitz also claim he has the ability to bestow dignities and lordships.[1][2][4] TheGoetia and Weyer credited him with granting familiars (who are likewise good at teaching).[1][2] TheLiber Officiorum Spirituum uniquely gives him command over fish.[11][12] Sloane MS 3824 mentions Paimon in "An Experiment to Cause a Thief to Return".[10]
InAbramelin, King Paimo(n)'s powers include[15] knowledge of past and future events, clearing up doubts, making spirits appear, creating visions, acquiring and dismissing servant spirits, reanimating the dead for several years, flight, remaining underwater indefinitely, and general abilities to "make all kinds of things" (and) "all sorts of people and armor appear" at the behest of the magician.[16]
King Paimon is the primary antagonist in Ari Aster's 2018 film,Hereditary.[17] A version of the Sigil of Paimon can be seen multiple times within the film, along with many other signs indicating his presence.[18][19]
Paimon appears in theHelluva Boss episode "The Circus". He is depicted as Stolas' father, but is neglectful, not even remembering Stolas' name because he has so many other children.[20]