Mammon
Mammon · Demon of Wealth — Prince of Greed
Demon of wealth and greed in Christian tradition. The name is Aramaic for 'riches' or 'money' (mamona). In the Gospel, Christ says, 'No man can serve two masters — you cannot serve both God and Mammon' (Matthew 6:24). Prince of Greed among the Seven Deadly Sins. He is the personification of wealth, depicted enthroned on gold, counting heaps of coins.
Origin
Originally a Hebrew-Aramaic common noun for 'money,' it was personified in the New Testament as an idol opposing God. From the 4th century, theologians developed him into a demon. Milton's Paradise Lost portrays him as an angel who, even before the fall, always gazed down at the golden streets of heaven.
Features
- Plump king enthroned upon gold
- Surrounded by heaps of coins, ingots, and gems
- Greedy eyes and a sneering smile
- Bears a golden scale or vast sack
Usage
Symbol of greed and obsession with riches. Frequently invoked in theological sermons through the 'God or Mammon' contrast. Used in literature to depict critiques of capitalism or humans enslaved by wealth.
Related
Lucifer
Lucifer · Bearer of Light — Fallen Archangel, Prince of Pride
Anubis
Anubis · Egyptian God — Guardian of Death and Mummification
Leviathan
Leviathan · Vast Sea Monster — Prince of Envy
Raphael
Raphael · Archangel — Angel of Healing and Guide of Travelers
Metatron
Metatron · Scribe of Heaven — Voice of God and Recorder of Divine Acts
Gabriel
Gabriel · Archangel — Messenger of God, Bearer of the Annunciation
Ra
Ra · Egyptian Sun God — Creator and King of the Gods
Indra
Indra · God of Thunder — Supreme Deity of Hindu Mythology