Ukobach

Ukobach is a demonic entity documented within the pages of the Dictionnaire Infernal, a significant work on demonology compiled by Jacques Collin de Plancy. First published in 1818, the Dictionnaire Infernal aimed to catalog and describe a vast array of supernatural beings, including demons, often organizing them into hierarchical structures.

Role and Attestation

Ukobach's presence is primarily established through its inclusion in the Dictionnaire Infernal. While the text itself provides descriptions of numerous demons, Ukobach is notable for its visual representation. The 1863 edition of de Plancy's work, perhaps its most famous iteration, featured sixty-nine illustrations by artist Louis Le Breton, many of which depicted the supposed appearances of various demons. These striking images contributed to the enduring legacy of the Dictionnaire Infernal and its influence on later occult literature and iconography.

Influence and Legacy

The illustrations from the Dictionnaire Infernal, including those of demons like Ukobach, found their way into other important occult texts. Notably, many of these depictions were later incorporated into S. L. MacGregor Mathers's edition of The Lesser Key of Solomon, a foundational grimoire in Western esotericism. This cross-pollination of imagery solidified the visual identity of certain demons for subsequent generations of occultists and enthusiasts.

The Dictionnaire Infernal itself underwent several revisions and expansions between its initial publication in 1818 and its final illustrated edition in 1863. This evolution reflects de Plancy's own shifting perspectives, moving from an initial skepticism towards superstition to a greater engagement with Roman Catholic theology, which influenced the later editions of his work. Consequently, Ukobach, along with many other figures, is presented within a framework that attempts to reconcile or catalog supernatural beliefs.