Incubus and Succubus
Incubi (bottom figure) and succubi (top figure) are figures whose mythical existence derives from an obscure reference in the book of Genesis, 6:2 which mentions “sons of God” who find humans so fair that they bear children with them. These beings were later postulated to be “fallen angels” or demons in human form. These demons are generally depicted as androgynous. They have a soft, cherubic appearance similar to the typical angels of heaven and lack identifiable genitalia.
They made frequent appearances throughout the middle ages as demonic agents responsible for extracting semen from their male victims and using it to impregnate their female victims. This transaction was usually a cover for an illicit affair between the man and woman who were often members of the clergy. This demonic mediation also saved the resulting child from being executed as demon spawn itself. Although the succubi (extractor of semen) and incubi (impregnator of semen) performed gender specific tasks, their roles lay, literally, between a man and a woman, placing them firmly within the androgynous realm.