Tradition: Greek mythology
Alternative Names: Cacodemon, Cacodaemon, Cacodaimon, Kakodemon, Kakodaemon, Kakodaimon
Category: Demon
The Myth
A cacodemon is an evil spirit capable of shapeshifting. The word comes from the Greek kakodaimōn, meaning “evil spirit.” Unlike a cacodemon, a daimon in Greek tradition could be a neutral or benevolent supernatural spirit.
Cacodemons are described as malevolent supernatural beings and can also refer to evil or malicious people. In one depiction attributed to Greek mythology, a cacodemon appears as a young, horned or winged-browed figure with exaggerated physical features.
Cacodemons are the evil counterparts of agathodaemons or eudaemons, which are benevolent spirits. In later tradition, the term came to mean a demon or malevolent supernatural being.
Sources
“Cacodemon.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed September 12, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cacodemon