Agathodemon

The literal translation of Agathodemon is "good genius". It is also spelt as Agathodaimon, Agathodaemon, Agathodiamon, Agathadeamon, Agathos Diamon and is sometimes linked with Hermes.

Agathodemon refers to the benevolent and good hearted spirit that had a cult following among the ancient Egyptians. Shaped like a serpent with a human head, the airborne serpents were prayed to by the people.

The Ancient Greeks had similar practices. They referred to the Agathodemons as good spirits, guardians of homes and peoples, gods of health, luck and prosperity. These serpents were akin to Oracles in that they foretold the future and spoke wise words while acting as guardians of vineyards and cornfields. They were honoured by Greek worshippers by drinking wine after meals. Greek art depicts Agathodemon as a young man holding a horn, a bowl and ears of corn.

Like in so many mythologies around the world the ancient peoples believed that everyone had a good and a bad personal genius. As opposed to the hostile Cacodemons, Agathodemons were good and facilitated communication between man and god.