Lilith

Lilith is the name of a little-known mythological character. According to Christian mythology, she was created together with the first man, therefore being Adam's first woman.

Because she did not accept being submissive to her partner, she left the Garden of Eden, being later associated with demonic forces.

This is a very ancient deity from Mesopotamia and Babylon that also appears in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

At the beginning of the book Genesis, the first text of the Christian and Hebrew Bible, there is a passage that mentions the creation of man and woman. They would have been made of dust or clay.

However, after this moment, this female character is no longer mentioned and then Eve appears, derived from Adam's rib.

Therefore, there was an erasure of this figure in Christian mythology, which suggests that parts of the holy book were altered.

Myth of Lilith in the Talmud

The myth tells that man and woman were created equally, derived from the same material, dust. But at a certain point, Adam tried to overpower Lilith, lying on top of her during sexual intercourse.

Lilith did not accept submitting to her companion's domination and decided to leave the Garden of Eden. This version of the story is part of the Alphabet of Ben Sirá, one of the texts of the Talmud, a document that is the basis of Judaism.

According to these scriptures, after leaving paradise, Lilith received a visit from three angels (Snvi, Snsvi and Smnglof), who tried to persuade her to return to Eden, but she refused.

God then created a new woman to keep Adam company. It was at that moment that Eva appeared.

Meanwhile, Lilith had bonded with the fallen angel Samael. They were the ones who tempted Adam and Eve by turning into serpents.

Thus, she is described as a demon who appears to torment men, children and newlyweds.

Lilith in other mythologies

This character also exists in other mythologies and ancient cultures, such as Sumer and Babylon, where she was related to evil forces, but also to the Moon and fertility.

In Mesopotamia, its symbol was the wind, it brought disease and sometimes death. In Greek mythology, it is associated with the goddess Hecate, a guardian deity of the doors to the underworld.

Meaning of Lilith in contemporary times

The figure of Lilith is today related to insubordination, sensuality, the search for justice, independence and equality.

Because she was "erased" from the best-known biblical history, it is understood that she represented a threat to the patriarchal system imposed by Christianity.

Thus, she became an archetype of the free woman, who rebels against male oppression and prefers to build her own path rather than remain in the shadow of a man.