Emblems of personified evil (Tarot)

One of the archetypal emblems projected by the psyche is that of the ugly monster. The monster personifies everything that is a hindrance or harm to human life and desires. Moral evils also take on emblematic form and they are all concentrated in the image of the prince of hell. In the Tarot system, the Devil (emblem number 15) has bat wings to indicate his nocturnal, cavern-dwelling nature; a long-eared, animal-like, horned head; and a hirsute, beastly lower torso to indicated his sub-human behaviour. At this stage one must consider one's weaknesses, in particular relating to worldly possessions and ideas of security. Illusion is revered rather than reality. Man is demonstrated in a sorry plight and a limited framework, a lesson on the search for unity.

In the Kabbalah, the Devil is placed on the path between splendour or glory (Hod) and beauty (Tiphareth).