<span class="head">Reflection and Meditation</span>
The space below is yours for the taking! Some questions may ask you to respond in words, phrases, or full-sentences, but other than that, let your thoughts flow through you. These questions are supposed to help you think more about Lilith and the themes tied to her mythology. There are no wrong answers. Lilith’s Shrine is meant to help you understand Lilith in a uniquely personal way. Be on the lookout! Your responses will reappear later in the shrine.
(text-colour:black)[Question 1: Had you ever heard of Lilith before? What did you know about her? Were you surprised by anything?]
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(text-colour:black)[Question 2: What is one word that represents Lilith to you?]{(set: $notQ2Answer to 0)}
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(text-colour:black)[Question 3: Do you think Lilith is a heroine or villain? Good or evil? To be admired or feared? Explain why.]
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(text-colour:black)[Question 4: If you were to rewrite Lilith’s story what would you title it?]{(set: $notQ4Answer to 0)}
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(text-colour:black)[Question 5: What happens in your modern retelling of Lilith’s story? Describe the plot.]
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(text-colour:black)[Question 6: Free associate to Lilith. Name a noun, verb, or adjective that you connect to the figure.]{(set: $notQ6Answer to 0)}
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(text-colour:black)[Question 7: Lilith has been imagined in art throughout the centuries. What does she look like in your imagination?]
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(text-colour:black)[Question 8: If you were to characterize Lilith through the framework of archetypes, what would you label her as?]{(set: $notQ8Answer to 0)}
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(text-colour:black)[Question 9: What characters remind you of Lilith? Real or fictional.]
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(text-colour:black)[Question 10: Lilith has been claimed by some feminists. How do you feel about this?]
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[[Keep writing.->Creative Piece]]Use the space below to write a creative piece inspired by your previous brainstorming and everything you have learned about Lilith so far.
A short story, poem, word association…
The choice is yours!
(text-colour:black)[Write Here:]
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[[Read a poem about Lilith.->Poem Mad Libs]][(if: $creativep is 0)[(set: $creativep to "N/A")]][(if: $Q2Answer is 0)[(set: $Q2Answer to "evil")(set: $notQ2Answer to 1)](if: $Q4Answer is 0)[(set: $Q4Answer to "A Tale about Lilith")(set: $notQ4Answer to 1)](if: $Q6Answer is 0)[(set: $Q6Answer to "sinister")(set: $notQ6Answer to 1)](if: $Q8Answer is 0)[(set: $Q8Answer to "human")(set: $notQ8Answer to 1)]]Here is an interactive poem about Lilith. Click through the highlighted words to come up with a new piece and create different versions of Lilith. You will notice that your responses from earlier make an appearance.
Please note that this poem is a composite of other works by a variety of authors. The sources and attribution can be found on the next page.
<span class="head">(cycling-link: "Lilith, I was Told", $Q4Answer, "Rumors about Lilith", "What I Know about Lilith")</span>
Lilith,
I was told you were the (cycling-link: "witch", $Q8Answer, "angel", "woman", "demon") Adam loved before Eve,
and that you sit young,
  wearing (cycling-link: "purple silks", "black leathers", "burgundy cashmeres", "spiderweb shawls")
  with red hair like (cycling-link: "flames", "old blood", "sparkling rubies", "apples straight from the vine")
  (cycling-link: "licking", "welcoming", "honoring", "creating") the (cycling-link: "delicious", "corrupt", "gentle", "murderous") night
  circling so much closer to the moon than the rest of us
while the world grows old.
Lilith,
I was told you smell like (cycling-link: "earth", "hell", "heaven"),
  (cycling-link: "marigolds and mulchy leaves", "roses and grape vines", "chamomile and moss")
  (cycling-link: "sandalwood and wine", "cloves and spice", "cotton and honey")
  (cycling-link: "chaos and anarchy", "wickedness and sin", "change and revolution")
your arms splattered with (cycling-link: "mud", "blood", "freckles", "ink").
Lilith,
I was told you (cycling-link: "live", "linger", "prowl") in the (cycling-link: "Garden", "Holy Place", "City"),
(cycling-link: "ruling", "terrorizing", "protecting") from a throne.
Lilith,
I was told you are $Q2Answer, and (cycling-link: "haunt", "guard") the village
  with (cycling-link: "owl", "snake", "money")-green eyes,
  a (cycling-link: "bloody", "lust", "cherry")-red mouth,
  a (cycling-link: "gold", "black", "silver")-coated heart.
Lilith,
I was told you spread (cycling-link: "midnight", $Q6Answer, "divine", "ancient") words,
  that your smiles (cycling-link: "bite", "heal"),
  that your kisses (cycling-link: "devour", "save").
Is that true?
Lilith.
I am certain you've called to me before,
invited me to sabbat dances,
  to shout (cycling-link: "poetry", "pain", "desire") to the stars.
  Your voice (cycling-link: "loud", "soft", "harsh", "strong"), reaches into me
  in dreams
  and I call to you.
Teach me how to (cycling-link: "talk", "scream", "reach", "whisper") back.
[[I am finished exploring this poem.->Poem Explanation]]The piece you just read was composed by me (the creator of Lilith's Shrine) and includes snippets from a variety of authors who have written about Lilith. You will notice that you were also an author; certain responses from the first part of this exhibit reappeared if you clicked through the different word and phrase choices.
Below you will find the works used to create "Lilith, I was Told." I am unable to reproduce the entire poem, but have included the section remixed in addition to citation information. Poems that are available online have been linked; click on the title to see the full text and then click the back button on your browser to return to Lilith's Shrine.
<a href="https://hellopoetry.com/poem/4765/bodys-beauty/" target="_blank">Body's Beauty</a>
By Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1867)
<span class="snip">"Of Adam's first wife, Lilith, it is told
(The witch he loved before the gift of Eve,)"</span>
<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/40358614" target="_blank">Lilith</a>
By Maggie Jaffee (1997)
<span class="snip">"owl-green eyes, bloody-red gash of her mouth—
the Monster the Villagers made of her."</span>
(text-colour:black)[Surrounded by Satyrs, Lilith Takes a Stand]
By Elaine Frankonis (1998)
From: "Which Lilith?" Edited by Enid Dame, Lilly Rivlin, and Henny Wenkart. 1998. Pages 131–132.
<span class="snip">"into mounds of midnight words,"</span>
(text-colour:black)[The First Woman]
By Ruth Whitman (1998)
From: "Which Lilith?" Edited by Enid Dame, Lilly Rivlin, and Henny Wenkart. 1998. Page 159.
<span class="snip">"She smiles to bite, she kisses to devour!"</span>
<a href="https://elanaklugman.com/guilt-an-knitting/" target="_blank"> Guilt and Knitting</a>
By Elana Klugman (1998)
<span class="snip">"wearing purple silks
your red hair like flames
licking the delicious night
circling so much closer to the moon than I.
You've seen me before,
invited me to moon dances,
to shout poetry to the stars"
"Your voice loud, fragrant reaches me in
dream and I am calling to you:
teach me how to talk back."</span>
(text-colour:black)[Lilith, I Don't Cut My Grass]
By Enid Dame (1994)
From: "Which Lilith?" Edited by Enid Dame, Lilly Rivlin, and Henny Wenkart. 1998. Pages 379–380. This poem is reprinted in "Which Lilith?" from the American Voice 32 (Fall 1994) with the permission of the author.
<span class="snip">"Lilith, you smell like the earth
and marigolds and mulchy leaves.
Your arms are mud-bespattered."</span>
(text-colour:black)[What did this exercise teach you about Lilith and the creative retellings others have written about her?]
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[[Click here to revisit the poem.->Poem]]
[[Click here to explore other responses visitors of Lilith's Shrine have submitted.->Other Responses]]Click on the name of a responder to see what they have contributed to the shrine!
[[Emily]]
[[Matt]]
[[Nicole]]
[[Meghan]]
[[Neeraj]]
[[Galia]]
[[Madison]]
[[Grace]]
When someone from Lilith’s Shrine decides to submit their work, their writing is recorded and displayed on the website that houses this exhibit. This page is updated regularly. Click <a href="https://jgraceo.github.io/lilithresponses.html" target="_blank">here</a> to view every response submitted.
You have the option to contribute too!
[[Click here to see what you wrote.->User Response]][(if: $Q1Answer is 0)[(set: $Q1Answer to "N/A")](if:$notQ2Answer is 1)[(set: $Q2Answer to "N/A")](if: $Q3Answer is 0)[(set: $Q3Answer to "N/A")](if:$notQ4Answer is 1)[(set: $Q4Answer to "N/A")](if: $Q5Answer is 0)[(set: $Q5Answer to "N/A")](if:$notQ6Answer is 1)[(set: $Q6Answer to "N/A")](if: $Q7Answer is 0)[(set: $Q7Answer to "N/A")](if:$notQ8Answer is 1)[(set: $Q8Answer to "N/A")](if: $Q9Answer is 0)[(set: $Q9Answer to "N/A")](if: $Q10Answer is 0)[(set: $Q10Answer to "N/A")](if: $creativep is 0)[(set: $creativep to "N/A")](if: $exercise is 0)[(set: $exercise to "N/A")]]Here is everything you have generated while in Lilith’s Shrine. Make sure to copy and paste your responses somewhere special for safe keeping!
Question 1:
$Q1Answer
Question 2:
$Q2Answer
Question 3:
$Q3Answer
Question 4:
$Q4Answer
Question 5:
$Q5Answer
Question 6:
$Q6Answer
Question 7:
$Q7Answer
Question 8:
$Q8Answer
Question 9:
$Q9Answer
Question 10:
$Q10Answer
Creative Piece:
$creativep
Response to Exercise:
$exercise
Interested in having your writing displayed among the other responses on the website? Click the “Send Email” button below.
<button id="email-btn" value="Send Email" onclick="sendEmail()">Send Email</button>
<script>
window.sendEmail = function() {
body = `Question 1: ${$Q1Answer}%0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 2: ${$Q2Answer} %0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 3: ${$Q3Answer} %0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 4: ${$Q4Answer} %0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 5: ${$Q5Answer} %0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 6: ${$Q6Answer} %0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 7: ${$Q7Answer} %0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 8: ${$Q8Answer} %0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 9: ${$Q9Answer} %0D%0A%0D%0AQuestion 10: ${$Q10Answer} %0D%0A%0D%0ACreative Piece: ${$creativep} %0D%0A%0D%0AResponse to Exercise: ${$exercise}`;
window.location.href = "mailto:persephonesgarden77@gmail.com?subject=Lilith's Shrine&body=" + body;}
</script>Want to learn more about Lilith? View sources and artifacts connected to her [[here->Source Page]].
Want to return to the website you started at? Click <a href="https://jgraceo.github.io/lilith.html" target="_blank">here</a>.[(if: $Q2Answer is 0)[(set: $Q2Answer to "evil")(set: $notQ2Answer to 1)](if: $Q4Answer is 0)[(set: $Q4Answer to "A Tale about Lilith")(set: $notQ4Answer to 1)](if: $Q6Answer is 0)[(set: $Q6Answer to "sinister")(set: $notQ6Answer to 1)](if: $Q8Answer is 0)[(set: $Q8Answer to "human")(set: $notQ8Answer to 1)]]<span class="head">(cycling-link: "Lilith, I was Told", $Q4Answer, "Rumors about Lilith", "What I Know about Lilith")</span>
Lilith,
I was told you were the (cycling-link: "witch", $Q8Answer, "angel", "woman", "demon") Adam loved before Eve,
and that you sit young,
  wearing (cycling-link: "purple silks", "black leathers", "burgundy cashmeres", "spiderweb shawls")
  with red hair like (cycling-link: "flames", "old blood", "sparkling rubies", "apples straight from the vine")
  (cycling-link: "licking", "welcoming", "honoring", "creating") the (cycling-link: "delicious", "corrupt", "gentle", "murderous") night
  circling so much closer to the moon than the rest of us
while the world grows old.
Lilith,
I was told you smell like (cycling-link: "earth", "hell", "heaven"),
  (cycling-link: "marigolds and mulchy leaves", "roses and grape vines", "chamomile and moss")
  (cycling-link: "sandalwood and wine", "cloves and spice", "cotton and honey")
  (cycling-link: "chaos and anarchy", "wickedness and sin", "change and revolution")
your arms splattered with (cycling-link: "mud", "blood", "freckles", "ink").
Lilith,
I was told you (cycling-link: "live", "linger", "prowl") in the (cycling-link: "Garden", "Holy Place", "City"),
(cycling-link: "ruling", "terrorizing", "protecting") from a throne.
Lilith,
I was told you are $Q2Answer, and (cycling-link: "haunt", "guard") the village
  with (cycling-link: "owl", "snake", "money")-green eyes,
  a (cycling-link: "bloody", "lust", "cherry")-red mouth,
  a (cycling-link: "gold", "black", "silver")-coated heart.
Lilith,
I was told you spread (cycling-link: "midnight", $Q6Answer, "divine", "ancient") words,
  that your smiles (cycling-link: "bite", "heal"),
  that your kisses (cycling-link: "devour", "save").
Is that true?
Lilith.
I am certain you've called to me before,
invited me to sabbat dances,
  to shout (cycling-link: "poetry", "pain", "desire") to the stars.
  Your voice (cycling-link: "loud", "soft", "harsh", "strong"), reaches into me
  in dreams
  and I call to you.
Teach me how to (cycling-link: "talk", "scream", "reach", "whisper") back.
[[Click here to explore other responses visitors of Lilith's Shrine have submitted.->Other Responses]]<span class="head">Emily’s Lilith</span>
Emily had not heard of Lilith before engaging with this project. Her Lilith has red curly hair, is seductive, and constantly draped in a black traveling cloak. The images Emily associated with her are: manipulated, child killing, and woman scorned.
“I don’t think she is evil; I think her evil actions are thrust upon her in response to her reputation of independence and equality.” Emily resonated with Childerhose’s perception of the figure, acknowledging that “these evil attributes may have been given to her to keep women in their place–a woman who thinks herself an equal goes on to be a child murder. She is a victim and the archetype of a woman scorned.”
When writing about Lilith’s connection to the feminist movement, Emily claimed this: “I think she has become linked because of her origins in standing up to all powerful men who history has chosen to admire. One thing about her that rings realistic is that standing up to these men will come at a cost. She is sexualized and demonized, which are typical routes men can use to discredit women. I do see how her child-killing behaviors might not align with the feminist movement, but very often with mythology we choose to ignore traits or stories we do not resonate with. It is interesting to note that a female figure who does not put her own life and rights aside in order to protect children becomes a child-killer, but in some ways this enhances her presence in feminism. It is a radical act for a woman to not prioritize children or have children, and she is an early figure that pays the price for these acts.”
(text-style:"underline")[Emily’s Modern Retelling]
Lilith and Adam are betrothed, and Adam is the ruler of a mighty kingdom of Christianity. When Adam leaves Lilith for a girl his parents approve more of, Eve, Lilith goes on a journey of independence and sexual awakening. While she may become a morally grey character, readers find pride in her growth. A subplot would follow the actions of the kingdom of Christianity, making references to its own immoral actions throughout history.
(text-style:"underline")[Emily’s Creative Piece]
My lovely little girl
You were raised on a tipping rock
But nobody saw your role in keeping it stable
After they cast you off
Found a softer figure to balance
Of course you sought out their power
If they demand your submission
Why should it not summon you
Why should you not resent the offspring of their abuse
Spread your wings
Push them off the rock
The world will see your power
[[View other responses.->Other Responses]] <span class="head">Madison’s Lilith</span>
Madison was aware of Lilith’s existence but had never explored her story or history. “It was very interesting to hear that she was punished for her sexuality but unsurprising, as Eve was also villainized for power/sexuality.”
Madison sees Lilith as a powerful seductive villain but does not view her as evil. She recognizes that Lilith just wanted to be treated as Adam’s equal. When picturing Lilith, Madison thinks of the colors black and red. Meaghan Markle and Monica Lewinsky are two people Madison thought of when learning about Lilith’s mythology. “Women are villainized in the media and by reclaiming her [Lilith] you can reclaim other stories.”
[[View other responses.->Other Responses]] <span class="head">Meghan’s Lilith</span>
This project was Meghan’s introduction to Lilith. She views the figure as misunderstood and “a woman in tune with her feminism.”
When Meghan imagines Lilith, she sees the color red and fire. “She stands tall and confident. She wears clothes that are dark or red in color, and almost like a jumpsuit or long dress. Her hair is dark and red toned, and long and flowing.”
Her Lilith is a rebel. “I think she is powerful, and people have mistaken her power and confidence for darkness and evil.”
“In her story, all of the myths and rumors about her came from her wishing to be equal to Adam. She was exercising her power as a female and refused to just submit to Adam, and society outcast her because of it. I think she is a pretty good figure, especially with the stories that surround her. A woman who is seen as equivalent to a demon all because she said no to a man.”
(text-style:"underline")[Meghan’s Modern Retelling]
I can imagine it being somewhat similar to a lot of media there is in the present day, //Promising Young Woman// being one of the biggest examples I could think of. A story of a woman who says no to a man in some way, and is painted to be somehow evil or outcast because of it. In a modern retelling though, I feel it would end in a way that empowers the representation of Lilith, and calls on other women to feel empowered too.
(text-style:"underline")[Meghan’s Creative Free Word Association]
empowerment
rage
dominance
misunderstood
fire
red
strength
sex
seduction
fear
femininity
[[View other responses.->Other Responses]] <span class="head">Neeraj’s Lilith</span>
When asked if he had heard of Lilith before, Neeraj’s response was this: “I hadn’t. I was only familiar with the story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden. However, I have seen some shows that have represented Lilith alongside Adam (//Neon Genesis Evangelion//). From what I’ve seen in that show it aligns with what I've just read about Lilith and her struggle for equality.”
To Neeraj, Lilith is resolute and a martyr. He imagines Lilith with “long dark black hair and wearing a white silky dress.” He is reminded of Jo from //Little Women//, Karen from //Daisy Jones and the Six//, and Lilith from //Neon Genesis Evangelion//.
“I don’t believe she is evil, I think she was treated unfairly by Adam, the Angels, and God. It’s perfectly reasonable and justified to want to be treated as an equal to Adam, I would argue God and the Angels were evil for giving Lilith such a horrible condition to decide upon.” She is “The Outlaw (for Liberation).”
“I think she is a great figure to associate with feminism because of her strong conviction to do whatever it took to be treated as Adam’s equal, even if it meant opposing God. She is a very motivating character to look up to when viewed from that perspective.”
(text-style:"underline")[Neeraj’s Modern Retelling]
''The Persecution of Lilith''
I think it would be along the lines of Lilith being put into an arranged marriage and she is forced to be in the stereotypical role of a housewife within this relationship. She has to squash all her dreams and ambitions so she doesn’t threaten her husband (Adam). When she finally decides to get a divorce, the surrounding community and families all look down upon her for this decision. Everyone blames her and her family kicks her out. She is branded as evil for ruining this relationship, even though she was forced into these conditions.
Neeraj decided to rewrite the story about Lilith leaving Eden from the informative section of this project.
(text-style:"underline")[Neeraj’s Rewrite of the Story of Lilith]
Lilith and Adam were both made from the earth by God. They were free to roam Eden as they pleased. The two lived peacefully in the garden until one day, when Adam and Lilith attempted to have sex, Adam demanded that he take the dominant position. Lilith was Adam’s equal and logically argued that she had just as much right to be on top as he did. Threatened by this idea, Adam refused and Lilith had no choice but to flee Eden. Adam was saddened by this and asked God to bring his wife back. God then sent the angels Senoy, Sansenoy, and Semangelof to collect her. They chased her to the Red Sea, pleading with her to go with them. Knowing she would not be treated as Adam’s equal, Lilith declined. The angels knew her will was resolute so it is here that they imposed a truly evil condition on Lilith. If she did not return to the garden, one hundred of her children would die each day. Faced with an extremely difficult dilemma, Lilith agreed to this condition and declared that she would not harm any child who wore an amulet bearing any of the angels’ names.
[[View other responses.->Other Responses]] <span class="head">Welcome to Lilith’s Shrine</span>
In this space, you will explore Lilith and consider her relevance to you. Before diving into the reflection portion of this exhibit, you may want to learn more about the person whose story you are trying to envision and retell. Below is a very brief description of Lilith and her history.
Note: Text that is ''bolded'' can be interacted with. Some of this type of text will take you to external links. External links are in ''(text-colour:#ffce5b)[yellow]''. Interactive text within the exhibit is in ''(text-colour:black)[black]''. All external links will open in a new tab. If you would like to go back to a part of the exhibit there is a light gray arrow on the left of the page. Do not click the back arrow on your web browser since you might erase your written responses!
<span class="head2">Meet Lilith</span>
Wild red hair, shadows and snakes, a seductive laugh: these images may flash through your mind when you hear the name Lilith. Lilith is a female figure from Jewish midrash—a type of biblical interpretation—most known for her role as Adam’s first wife. While never mentioned by name in the tale of Genesis, Lilith’s time in the Garden of Eden is told in the <a href="https://www.bensira.org/introduction.html"; target="_blank">//Alphabet of Ben Sira//</a> and later retold in <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1493" target="_blank">//The Legends of the Jews//</a> by Louis Ginzberg. The story goes like this…
<span class="head2">Lilith in the Garden</span>
Lilith and Adam were both made from the earth by God. They were free to roam Eden as they pleased. The two lived peacefully in the garden until one day, when Adam and Lilith attempted to have sex, Adam demanded that he take the dominant position. Lilith saw herself as Adam’s equal and argued that she had just as much right to be on top as he did. Adam refused, causing Lilith to yell God’s name and run from Eden. Adam was saddened by this and asked God to bring his wife back. God then sent the angels Senoy, Sansenoy and Semangelof to collect her. They chased her to the Red Sea, pleading with her to go with them. Knowing she would not be treated as Adam’s equal, Lilith declined. It is here that the angels struck a deal with Lilith. If she did not return to the garden, one hundred of her children would die each day. Lilith agreed to this condition and declared that she would not harm any child who wore an amulet bearing any of the angels’ names.
<span class="head2">Baby Killer</span>
This is not the first time Lilith has been linked to child death. Lilitu and Lilu (words connected to Lilith) are a subclass of malicious gods and demons from ancient Mesopotamia known for harming pregnant women. These beings were said to be the cause of crib death, and stories were told about the demons kidnapping babies straight from the arms of wet nurses. During this time, it was not uncommon to make an incantation bowl with the name Lilith/Lilitu/Lilu written upon its surface. It was believed that the incantation bowls would keep the child killing spirits away from one’s home.
<span class="head2">Seductress Supreme</span>
Baby killer is not the only name given to Lilith. Later stories paint her as a seductress, haunting men’s dreams and causing them to get aroused in their sleep. Texts such as the //Talmud// and the //Book of Zohar// describe a Lilith who stalks young men and is summoned by sexual acts. It is even said that she steals semen to create more demon children. During the Mesopotamian era, Lilith was described as a winged bird-like demon; this version of her seems to have been replaced by a painfully gorgeous—but somehow also monstrously ugly—seducer of men.
<span class="head2">Feminist Symbol</span>
It wasn’t until the seventies that Lilith got a rebrand. Second-wave feminism was a period when scholars and activists really started to reexamine folkloric stories and characters through a new lens. Lilith was one such figure that was reevaluated through a feminist viewpoint. Her refusal to submit to Adam struck a chord among women of the era. Her role as a murderous demon was either ignored or embraced by her admirers. Her story was not only revisited, but retold—one notable work being “The Coming of Lilith” by Judith Plaskow. Retellings of Lilith’s story became increasingly popular, specifically among Jewish women who felt deeply connected to the figure; it is likely because of this that the Jewish-American feminist periodical—//Lilith Magazine//—was created. Decades later, Lilith maintained the role of feminist icon. Her name was used for Lilith Fair—a concert emphasizing female musicians. Buffy Childerhose, author of //From Lilith to Lilith Fair//, remarks on the naming of the festival stating:
“Like any myth or religion, we take those parts that can guide us in our lives and discard those elements that displease us. The story of Lilith is no different. While she goes on to be vilified and called a demon, I choose to ignore this part of the story as it is surely only the rantings of terrified men who were trying to keep other women from getting any silly ideas. What is important is that Lilith made a difficult and courageous decision and, in doing so, fell out of favor with the men in her life. So it can be said that Lilith was perhaps the world’s first feminist.” (xiii, xiv)
<span class="head2">Lilith Today</span>
Despite our distance from the second wave of feminism, Lilith still holds relevance. There are certainly less stories being made that aim to retell Lilith’s time in Eden, but her name and the echo of what she stands for can still be found in media today. //Lucifer// (2016–2021), //The Fifth Element //(1997), and //Chilling Adventures of Sabrina// (2018–2022) are all works that engage with the figure to varying degrees; each story either draws upon the themes of creation connected to Lilith or attempts to rewrite her into a new setting. Lilith is also a name typically given to vampires and demons in movies, television, and video games. It is not uncommon to stumble upon a femme fatale that is in some way associated with the character. It can also be argued that her presence is felt in revenge movies where female leads target men who have harmed them, such as //Jennifer’s Body// (2009) and //Promising Young Women// (2020).
There is much more to say about Lilith; this was only a short summary of her history. If you want to learn more before you continue, consider viewing some external sources below.
<a href="https://skhadka.sites.gettysburg.edu/Lilith/" target="_blank">//Lilith Through the Times//</a> is an interactive timeline by Shukirti Khadka that will guide you through Lilith’s appearance in text, art, and contemporary culture.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1EKccz4fS0" target="_blank">“Who is Lilith”</a> is an informative video by ESOTERICA that explores Lilith’s origins, it pays specific attention to her Mesopotamian roots.
<a href="https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/lilith" target="_blank">“Lilith”</a> by the Jewish Women’s Archive is a helpful article that synthesizes Lilith’s presence in ancient writing and her more current connection to feminism.
[[I am ready to move on.->Writing Section]]<span class="head">Nicole’s Lilith</span>
Nicole knew Lilith before entering the shrine. She had heard her story but learned more about who she is and how she is perceived.
Nicole’s Lilith is strong willed. She envisions her as a beautiful goddess with dark red hair dressed in all black. In her modern retelling, “Lilith had a boyfriend named Adam who was too insecure to see her as an equal and was too scared of her determination, will power, and womanhood.” Her retelling is titled “how men ruin everything.”
(text-style:"underline")[Nicole’s Creative Piece about Lilith]
There once was a goddess named Lilith,
She was renounced by the entire village.
Because of an insecure man named Adam,
whose ego was smaller than an atom.
They almost had sex up against a wall,
maybe not because his dick was too small.
Adam refused to be submissive,
Therefore he was very dismissive.
He left Eden to go have a little cry,
So Lilith decided to get high.
She was determined to be the equal,
So that women’s empowerment would have a sequel.
So next time you encounter a man like Adam,
Remember Lilith, the one true madame.
[[View other responses.->Other Responses]] <span class="head">Galia’s Lilith</span>
This was not Galia’s first encounter with Lilith. “I know about Lilith a bit as a sort of controversial biblical character. I also am a big fan of the magazine Lilith which is probably my main association with the word.”
“I don't know so much about early myths of Lilith, but what makes her avenue in Jewish thought particularly complicated in this regard is that many ~mainstream~ Jewish scholars, especially medieval scholars like Maimonides, don’t really write about Lilith at all. Thus, I think she is in some ways (at least in the Jewish tradition, I don’t know much about Lilith in Christianity or other faiths) often given more “credit” than you might expect for the way her character is portrayed because she is, at least in early instances, only really discussed by Jewish thinkers who are already open to alternative or atypical interpretations of genesis which lends her more credit than a typical “scorned woman” character.”
Galia’s Lilith is powerful and subversive. “I picture a sort of Pre-Raphaelite redhead for some reason? Something like La Ghirlandata by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.” She thinks of the characters Jennifer from //Jennifer’s Body// and Victoria from //Twilight// when pondering Lilith.
[[View other responses.->Other Responses]] <span class="head">Matt’s Lilith</span>
To Matt, Lilith and her tale are misunderstood. “I think she’s a story invented by men to normalize male dominance and villainize female power/autonomy/dominance.”
“I’d heard of her [Lilith] primarily in //The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina// series. Her representation in that show aligns with most of what I’ve read so far, and her character even follows the progression of her cultural significance. She starts out as an evil, selfish servant to Satan and gradually becomes more of an ally to other women and a symbol of liberation/feminine power as the series progresses.”
Matt sees Lilith as a seductress. She wears a black dress, has red eyes and long silky hair. Maleficent, Jennifer Check from //Jennifer’s Body,// and Cassandra from //Promising Young Woman// are a few characters that remind him of Lilith.
“I appreciate the reclaiming of a figure invented/classically manipulated to normalize and moralize male dominance as a symbol of feminine power. She ultimately holds her own in the original myth and refuses to submit. While it’s meant to be a cautionary tale, it makes more sense in the modern day as an exemplary feminist figure. At least the parts before she becomes a killer and tormentor, but even so she’s just a story and I don’t see an issue with hyperbolically adopting her as a woman-scorned cautionary tale for men rather than a woman-damned cautionary tale for women.”
(text-style:"underline")[Matt’s Modern Retelling]
It’d probably be more from her POV and she’d do all the things we classically know about her but she’d have some kind of morally superior justification, and the baby-killing that seems so heinous would actually be something else, or have some previously unconsidered justification. Like Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent. Her semen-stealer/baby-killer lore may be reconstrued as a revenge-movie-esque castration of men who force female submission (sexually or otherwise).
(text-style:"underline")[Matt’s Creative Piece]
Lilith
Mother
Lover
Loner
Ousted
Other
Killer
Monster
Vengeance
Is a
Bitter
Hunger
Come to Lilith
Time for supper
[[View other responses.->Other Responses]] <span class="head">Artifacts and Sources Related to Lilith</span>
Here are all the works I stumbled upon during my research. I haven’t examined all of them but wanted to make sure they were highlighted.
<br/>
<span class="head">Non-Fiction Texts (Novels and Articles)</span>
<span class="citation">  Bangs, Lester. “Stevie Nicks: Lilith or Bimbo?” //Main Lines, Blood Feasts, and Bad Taste: A Lester Bangs Reader//, edited by John Morthland, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2008, pp. 86–88.</span>
<span class="citation">  Brode, Douglas, and Leah Deyneka, editors. //Dracula’s Daughters: The Female Vampire on Film//. Scarecrow Press, 2013.</span>
<span class="citation">  Childerhose, Buffy. //From Lilith to Lilith Fair//. Madrigal Press, 1998.</span>
<span class="citation">  Dame, Enid, et al. //Which Lilith?: Feminist Writers Re-Create the World’s First Woman//. Jason Aronson, Incorporated, 1998.</span>
<span class="citation">  Ginzberg, Louis. //The Legends of the Jews//, Feb. 2022, https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1493.</span>
<span class="citation">  Lachower, Yeruham Fishel, et al. //The Wisdom of the Zohar: An Anthology of Texts//. The Littman Library of Jewish Civilization in Association with Liverpool University Press, 1991.</span>
<span class="citation">  Lesses, Rebecca. “Lilith.” //Jewish Women’s Archive//, 31 Dec. 1999, jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/lilith.</span>
<span class="citation">  Rigney, Barbara Hill. //Lilith’s Daughters: Women and Religion in Contemporary Fiction//. University of Wisconsin Press, 1982.</span>
<span class="citation">  Sira, Ben. //The Book of Ben Sira//, Dec. 2013, www.bensira.org/introduction.html.</span>
<br/>
<span class="head">Adult Fiction (Novels and Short Stories)</span>
<span class="citation">  Butler, Octavia E. //Lilith’s Brood//. Grand Central Publishing, 2000.</span>
<span class="citation">  Chamberlin, Ann. //Leaving Eden//. Forge Books, 1999.</span>
<span class="citation">  Dame, Enid, et al. //Which Lilith?: Feminist Writers Re-Create the World’s First Woman//. Jason Aronson, Incorporated, 1998.</span>
<span class="citation">  MacDonald, George. //Lilith: A Romance//. Eerdmans, 1981.</span>
<span class="citation">  Moore, Catherine L. “Fruit of Knowledge.” //The Best of C.L Moore//, Doubleday, 1975, pp. 199–235.</span>
<br/>
<span class="head">Videos/Video Essays</span>
<span class="citation">  ESOTERICA. “Who is Lilith - First Wife of Adam - Ancient Origins and Development of the Myth of the Demon Queen.” YouTube, 18 Nov. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1EKccz4fS0.</span>
<span class="citation">  ESOTERICA. “Who is Lilith - Part II - The Kabbalah - Origins with Samael & the Qliphoth to the Seduction of God.” YouTube, 31 Mar. 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-jIScgb7Nc.</span>
<span class="citation">  Mythology & Fiction Explained. “Lilith: The Mother of Demons or The First Woman? (Demonology Explained).” YouTube, 21 Feb. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHJP0NaU1ws.</span>
<br/>
<span class="head">Poetry (Singular Poems and Poetry Collections)</span>
<span class="citation">  Dame, Enid, et al. //Which Lilith?: Feminist Writers Re-Create the World’s First Woman//. Jason Aronson, Incorporated, 1998.</span>
<span class="citation">  Jaffee, Maggie. “Lilith.” //Bridges//, 1997, Vol. 6, No. 2, https://www.jstor.org/stable/i40015370.</span>
<span class="citation">  Klugman, Elana. “Guilt and Knitting.” //Elana Klugman//, 24 Feb. 2023, elanaklugman.com/guilt-an-knitting/.</span>
<span class="citation">  Perkins, Nichole. //Lilith, but Dark//. Publishing Genius Press, 17 July 2018.</span>
<span class="citation">  Rossetti, Dante Gabriel. “Body’s Beauty.” 1868, https://hellopoetry.com/poem/4765/bodys-beauty/.</span>
<br/>
<span class="head">Art</span>
<span class="citation">  Collier, John. //Lilith//. 1887, Atkinson Art Gallery, Southport.</span>
<span class="citation">  Rossetti, Dante Gabriel. //Lady Lilith//. 1866–1868, Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, Delaware.</span>
<span class="citation">  Smith, Kiki. //Lilith//. 1994, The MET, New York City, New York.</span>
<span class="citation">  Unknown. //Burney Relief//. 1800–1750 BCE, British Museum, London.</span>
<br/>
<span class="head">Other (Films, Video Games, Exhibits, etc.)</span>
<span class="citation">  Aguirre-Sacasa, Roberto. //Chilling Adventures of Sabrina//. Berlanti Productions, 2018–2020.</span>
<span class="citation">  Anno, Hideaki. //Neon Genesis Evangelion//. TV Tokyo, 1995–1996.</span>
<span class="citation">  Besson, Luc, director. //The Fifth Element//. Columbia Pictures, 1997.</span>
<span class="citation">  Jacobovici, Simcha. “Lilith: Queen of the Night.” //The Naked Archaeologist//, season 3, episode 9, 18 Nov. 2010.</span>
<span class="citation">  Kapinos, Tom. //Lucifer//. Jerry Bruckheimer Television, 2016–2021.</span>
<span class="citation">  Khadka, Shukirti. //Lilith Through the Times//, 2021, https://skhadka.sites.gettysburg.edu/Lilith/.</span>
<span class="citation">  Rossen, Robert. //Lilith//. Columbia Pictures, 1964.</span>
<span class="citation">  Shely, Joe. //Diablo IV//. Blizzard Entertainment, 2023.</span>
<a href="https://jgraceo.github.io/lilith.html" target="_blank">Click here to return to the website.</a><span class="head">Grace’s Lilith</span>
I am the creator of Lilith’s Shrine, and this is my Lilith…
When I think of my initial encounter with the world’s first woman, I recall the Witches, Saints, and Sinners: Women in Western Religion course I took during my second semester of college. The professor asked us to read Ben Sira’s tale and consider how Lilith’s gender affected her treatment and role in the story. I was captivated by her feminist potential and began to associate her with the archetype of the witch—a threat against patriarchy because of her femininity and otherness.
It is hard to remove my interest in Lilith when considering her morality. Is she good or bad? A villain or hero? To me, she is always both, and that is what makes her relatable and nuanced. The same part of me that enjoys watching female revenge films like //Jennifer’s Body// or //Promising Young Women// takes pleasure in seeing a character like Lilith use her femininity as a weapon. I think my view of her aligns with that of second-wave feminists. I ignore the stories of her as a baby killer because they do not fit into the version I imagine. Whether this is wrong or not is up to each individual. To me, stories—especially myths that are an amalgamation of conflicting tales—are meant to be extracted and embraced by the reader in an intimate way. Why can’t I change Lilith to suit my needs the same way men turned her into a seductress and child murderer to make her hated and feared?
Lilith is red and black, witches and pagans, roses and belladonna, snakes, daggers, apples and pomegranates, a resistor and fighter and vampire, pentagrams, fire, everything that is wild and free. Her unruly auburn hair glistens in the moonlight. Her eyes are filled with mischief and energy. That is how I see her.
(text-style:"underline")[Grace’s Creative Piece]
''A Ritual for You''
The circle is cast,
the moon wanes.
Sandalwood and smoke
fire and warmth
hungry soul
I invoke you.
Fuel my rage,
guard my spirit,
fight alongside me against those who would harm us.
Lilith mother of the earth,
defender of women,
the first witch,
guide my shadow self.
[[View other responses.->Other Responses]]