{"id":123155,"date":"2026-10-08T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/?p=123155"},"modified":"2026-10-08T10:44:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T08:44:26","slug":"sleep-guardians-and-nightmares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/sleep-guardians-and-nightmares\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Beings Said to Guard Sleep\u2014or Bring Nightmares"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:56.25%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Sleep leaves us defenseless. And long before anyone understood REM cycles or sleep paralysis, people filled the darkness with supernatural visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Some stood watch beside the bed. Others were blamed for bad dreams, sudden pressure on the chest, or the terrifying feeling of waking up unable to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">And strangely, the protectors didn&rsquo;t always look any friendlier than the monsters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are eight beings that have guarded&mdash;or disturbed&mdash;the sleeping world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Baku<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123157 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-1024x576.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/baku-mythology-creature.png 1200w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">If something frightening followed you into a dream, Japanese folklore offered an unusual solution: feed it to the baku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">The baku was a composite creature with features borrowed from animals such as an elephant, tiger, ox, and rhinoceros. Imported from Chinese tradition, it was known in Japan by the 15th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">People didn&rsquo;t only tell stories about it. Images of the baku were kept near sleepers to ward off bad dreams, illness, and harmful spirits. Baku motifs also appeared on pillows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The baku could consume a frightening dream afterward, leaving the sleeper free to rest again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Bes<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123158 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-1024x576.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/bes-mythology-creature.png 1200w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Ancient Egypt&rsquo;s Bes didn&rsquo;t look like a gentle bedtime companion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">He was shown with a grimacing face, a protruding tongue, crooked legs, and leonine features. That frightening appearance was useful. Bes protected households, mothers, children, and sleepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">His image appeared on beds and headrests because sleep was considered a dangerous, unguarded state. Bes&rsquo;s face and even his music were believed to drive away hostile spirits and other dangers of the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&rsquo;s quite an interesting solution. If darkness contained something frightening, place something even more frightening beside the pillow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Guardian Angels<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123159\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123159 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-1024x576.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/guardian-angel-sleep.png 1200w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">For generations of Christian children, bedtime meant asking an angel to remain nearby until morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">The idea draws on a broader Christian belief in angelic protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Psalm 91 moves from &ldquo;the terror of the night&rdquo; to God commanding His angels to guard the faithful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Catholic teaching likewise describes human life as surrounded by the angels&rsquo; watchful care and intercession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">The Bible doesn&rsquo;t specifically say that guardian angels control dreams or guarantee nightmare-free sleep. That association grew through prayer and devotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike a baku, the angel doesn&rsquo;t eat the dream. The angel watches over the person having it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Pazuzu<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123160 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-1024x576.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pazuzu-symbol-nightstand.png 1200w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Modern horror turned Pazuzu into a straightforward villain. But ancient Mesopotamia gave him a stranger role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Pazuzu was the king of the wind demons, depicted with claws, wings, a scorpion&rsquo;s tail, bulging eyes, and a snarling mouth. Yet people wore small images of his head for protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Why invite one demon near the bed? Because he could repel another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Pazuzu was used as a defense against Lamashtu, who was especially feared by pregnant women and families with newborn babies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He wasn&rsquo;t safe or kindly. He was the supernatural equivalent of placing a more dangerous guard at the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Lamashtu<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123161\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123161 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-1024x576.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/lamashtu-mythology-creature.png 1200w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Lamashtu&rsquo;s role was far darker than simply delivering a bad dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Mesopotamians blamed her for illness and dangers surrounding pregnancy, birth, and infancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">She was imagined with a lionlike head, donkey&rsquo;s teeth, long fingers, and bird talons. Unlike demons believed to act under divine orders, Lamashtu supposedly chose harm for herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Protective plaques show how close that fear came to the bed. Some depict a sick person lying down, while an incantation on the reverse commands Lamashtu to leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lamashtu represented the nightmare behind the nightmare: not just a frightening vision, but the fear that danger might enter the home while everyone slept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. The Mare&mdash;or Mora<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123164\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123164 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-1024x576.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/the-mare-demon.png 1200w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">The &ldquo;mare&rdquo; in <em>nightmare<\/em> originally had nothing to do with a horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">It referred to a nighttime being believed to crush, ride, or suffocate a sleeper. Related figures appear across Germanic and Slavic traditions as the <em>mara<\/em>, <em>mora<\/em>\u305d\u3057\u3066 <em>zmora<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">A Croatian study of the mora as a supernatural being describes her as a figure that takes different forms and comes to trouble people in their sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Other traditions imagined the mare sitting on the sleeper&rsquo;s chest, leaving the victim unable to move or call out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Only later did &ldquo;nightmare&rdquo; broaden into the ordinary term for any bad dream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Pisadeira<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123163 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-1024x576.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pisadeira-roof-demon.png 1200w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Brazilian folklore puts the nightmare above the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">The Pisadeira is often described as a gaunt older woman with messy hair and long fingernails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">She waits on rooftops at night, then descends to trample or sit on the chest of someone who has fallen asleep on their back&mdash;especially after eating a heavy meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">The victim knows what&rsquo;s happening but can&rsquo;t move, breathe comfortably, or shout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Those details strongly resemble sleep paralysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She turns an invisible sleep disorder into something chillingly physical: a creature that was watching from the roof all along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. The Incubus<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123162\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201024%20576'%3E%3Crect%20width='1024'%20height='576'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-123162 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep.png\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-8\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-1024x576.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-18x10.png 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-480x270.png 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-320x180.png 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-960x540.png 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep-1080x608.png 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/demon-bedside-sleep.png 1200w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">The incubus became infamous in medieval Christian tradition as a male demon that sexually attacked sleeping women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">The name also became tied to the crushing experience once blamed for nightmares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Historical accounts describe a presence lying on the sleeper, restricting the chest, disturbing breathing, and making movement impossible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">Henry Fuseli fixed that image in the public imagination with <em>The Nightmare<\/em>, his famous painting of a creature perched on a sleeping woman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"isSelectedEnd wp-block-paragraph\">The old term hasn&rsquo;t completely disappeared from science. Researchers still use &ldquo;incubus&rdquo; for the form of sleep-paralysis hallucination involving chest pressure and shortness of breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The demon is folklore. The sensation, however, can feel terrifyingly real.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sleep leaves us defenseless. And long before anyone understood REM cycles or sleep paralysis, people filled the darkness with supernatural visitors. Some stood watch beside &hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":123167,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"syndication_tool_enabled":true,"syndication_tool_title":"","syndication_tool_excerpt":"","syndication_tool_featured_image":0,"syndication_tool_publish_date":"","syndication_tool_schema_types":["gallery"],"syndication_tool_backlink_enable":false,"syndication_tool_ai_disclosure_enable":false,"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[184],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-123155","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mythology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123155","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123155"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123155\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":125584,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123155\/revisions\/125584"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/123167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123155"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123155"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/ja\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123155"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}