Ipos: The Lion-Headed Earl and President of Hell in the Ars Goetia
Introduction: Ipos, the Demon of Wit and Prophecy
In the vast realm of demonology, few entities command as much fascination as Ipos. Known through the Ars Goetia, part of The Lesser Key of Solomon, Ipos is a powerful figure in the hierarchies of Hell. His legend blends themes of knowledge, courage, and transformation, capturing the imagination of occultists and scholars for centuries.
This article explores Ipos’s origins, characteristics, and significance in both historical grimoires and modern esoteric traditions.
Origins and Historical Context
Ipos, sometimes spelled Ipes or Ayporos, is one of the 72 spirits of the Ars Goetia, the first section of the 17th-century grimoire The Lesser Key of Solomon. The Ars Goetia itself draws heavily from earlier sources such as Johann Weyer’s Pseudomonarchia Daemonum (1577), a cornerstone of Renaissance demonology.
These grimoires emerged during an era obsessed with classifying supernatural forces. Scholars sought to understand — and, if possible, command — the unseen powers shaping the world.
The name Ipos has uncertain origins. Some link it to Egyptian or Greco-Roman deities, while others suggest Semitic or Mesopotamian roots. Though speculative, these theories underscore Ipos’s connection to ancient wisdom and hidden knowledge. His inclusion in the Ars Goetia secured his role as a lasting symbol in Western occultism.
Description and Attributes
In the Ars Goetia, Ipos is described as a Great Earl and President of Hell, commanding 36 legions of spirits. His appearance is striking and symbolic — a composite of man and beast. He has the body of an angel, the head of a lion, the feet of a goose, and the tail of a hare.
This chimeric form reflects his dual nature — part divine, part monstrous. Medieval artists often depicted such hybrid beings to represent supernatural intelligence and moral ambiguity.
Powers and Abilities of Ipos:
- Knowledge of Time: Reveals truths of the past, present, and future.
- Wit and Eloquence: Bestows intelligence, confidence, and persuasive speech.
- Revelation of Secrets: Exposes hidden truths and lost knowledge.
These gifts made Ipos a valued spirit among magicians seeking insight, eloquence, or foresight. His powers mirror Renaissance ideals of wisdom, intellect, and mastery over the unknown — key goals in both philosophy and magic.
Role in Occult Practice
In Goetic rituals, summoning Ipos requires precision and respect. His sigil, drawn on parchment or metal, acts as a spiritual key that binds his presence. Practitioners would recite specific invocations within a protective circle, invoking divine names to ensure safety.
Magicians called upon Ipos to:
- Gain insight into complex decisions.
- Strengthen intellect, charisma, and strategy.
- Reveal concealed knowledge or hidden motives.
Though labeled a demon, Ipos is not purely malevolent. Many occult traditions view him as a teacher spirit, guiding initiates toward self-awareness and enlightened reasoning — provided they can maintain control. His dual role as dangerous and enlightening reflects the wider paradox of Goetic entities: spirits that test as much as they teach.
Symbolism and Interpretation
Ipos’s form and function are rich with symbolism. The lion’s head represents courage and sovereignty, while the angelic body evokes divine authority. The goose feet and hare tail suggest agility, transformation, and the swift movement of thought. Together, these elements embody intellect guided by instinct and strength tempered by grace.
The demon’s association with eloquence and foresight connects him to archetypes of divine messengers and prophets. In some interpretations, Ipos symbolizes the human intellect striving to balance reason and intuition, or the voice of truth that arises from chaos.
Cultural Significance
Though lesser known than figures like Bael or Asmodeus, Ipos holds an important place in Western esoteric thought. His name and image appear in occult manuscripts, modern grimoires, fantasy works, and role-playing games, where he is often portrayed as a cunning spirit of knowledge and speech.
In contemporary occultism, Ipos represents mental clarity, confidence, and the courage to speak truth. Some modern practitioners work with his archetype to enhance creativity, insight, or communication skills.
His lion-headed form also resonates with universal mythic imagery. Lions have long symbolized wisdom, kingship, and protection, from Egyptian gods like Sekhmet to Christian iconography of Saint Mark. Ipos embodies that same blend of power and intellect — the mind’s dominion over fear and ignorance.
The Sigil of Ipos
The sigil of Ipos, found in The Lesser Key of Solomon, is his magical seal — a geometric design that embodies his essence. Traditionally, it is inscribed during ritual work and used as a point of focus during invocation.
In modern practice, magicians and occult students often meditate on Ipos’s sigil to develop wit, courage, and clarity of thought, or to access deeper intuition. Used symbolically, it serves as a reminder that true wisdom requires both intellect and boldness.
Conclusion: Ipos, the Voice of Infernal Insight
Ipos, the lion-headed Earl and President of Hell, remains one of the most compelling figures in the Ars Goetia. His powers — knowledge, eloquence, and revelation — mirror the eternal human quest for understanding.
For the ancients, he was a dangerous spirit to command. For modern thinkers, he represents the union of courage and intellect, the wisdom to see clearly and speak truth.
In the end, Ipos stands not merely as a demon, but as a symbol of the mind’s triumph over ignorance — the eternal light of intelligence shining within darkness.