Who Is Ariton, the Infernal King of the Eastern Gate?

Ariton is a powerful demonic entity recognized primarily within Western occult traditions and Solomonic grimoires. He is categorized among the four Great Kings of the cardinal directions, specifically ruling over the Orient (the East).

While he is not one of the 72 demons listed in the Ars Goetia, he has a primary position in the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, where he is a sub-prince under the four superior spirits: Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, and Belial.

---

---

Key Takeaways

Attribute	Details
Names	Ariton, Egin, Egyn, Egina
Title	King of the East, Sub-Prince of the Infernal Hierarchy
Gender	Male
Role	Overseer of hidden treasures, granter of familiars, and master of illusions.
Rank	One of the Four Kings of the Cardinal Points.
Hierarchy	Subordinate to Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, and Belial; commands numerous sub-spirits.
Legions	Directly commands 22 sub-spirits and shares command over many more.
Powers	Reveals the past and future, discovers hidden wealth, and creates phantom sights.
Associated Figures	Oriens, Paimon, Amaimon (his fellow directional kings).
Weaknesses	Subjugated by the Seal of Solomon and the authority of the Holy Guardian Angel.
Opposing Angel/Saint	Archangel Raphael (traditionally associated with the East).
Pantheon	Christian Occultism / Solomonic Grimoires.
Primary Sources	The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, The Grimoire of Armadel.

Who or What is Ariton?

Ariton is an infernal king whose power is connected to the East, both geographically and spiritually. In medieval and Renaissance demonology, he is not just a single demon but a high-ranking leader in the underworld. His main role is to connect the top princes of Hell with the lesser spirits who handle tasks in the physical world.

As a Sub-Prince, the demon is known for his control over knowledge and the elements linked to sunrise. He is called the “King of the Orient,” a title that is important in ritual magic because many believed spirits from the East were especially powerful in the morning.

Unlike lower-level demons, he is said to have a sharp mind. He can give detailed information about the world’s hidden workings to those who can command him.

“Ariton” Meaning

The origin of the name Ariton has several interpretations in language and occult history. Most scholars of the Abramelin text think it comes from the Greek word arritos, meaning “unspeakable” or “secret.” This fits with Ariton’s role as a keeper of secrets and a revealer of mysteries that people cannot usually access.

In some versions of the Abramelin manuscripts, the name is spelled Egyn or Egin. This version is often connected to the Hebrew root Agon, which means “struggle” or “contest.” In the Grimoire of Armadel, the name is used in ways that highlight his kingly role over the element of Air and the East.

Over time, these different names have blended together, but Ariton is still the most accurate name in the Abramelin system. The change from Egyn to Ariton shows how the names moved from older folk traditions to the more Greek and Hebrew-influenced styles of the Renaissance grimoires.

How to Pronounce “Ariton” in English

In English, the name is usually pronounced as AIR-ih-ton or AH-rih-ton, with the stress on the first syllable. The “i” sounds like it does in “bit,” and the “on” at the end is soft, like in “cotton.”

What Does Ariton Look Like?

The demon is not usually described with the monstrous features seen in Goetia spirits. Instead, he is shown as a royal figure. In the few old texts that describe him, he appears as a dignified human male or a king with a serious and commanding look.

When he appears, Ariton is said to carry symbols of his rank, like a crown or scepter, showing his rule over the East. Some stories say he can first appear as a ghost or shifting shadow before taking on a human form.

As a master of illusions, his physical form is seen as a display of his power, not a true body. He does not have wings or animal features in the main sources, keeping a calm and royal appearance that sets him apart from the wilder demons of lower ranks.

---

---

Origins

Ariton’s history comes from a mix of Jewish mysticism and Christian demonology that developed in the late Middle Ages.

Origins and the Abramelin Tradition

The first and most important mention of Ariton is in The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, which was said to be written by Abraham of Worms in the 15th century.

In this book, he is named as one of the four sub-princes who must be bound by the practitioner after the four higher spirits (Lucifer, Leviathan, Satan, and Belial) are subdued. The text puts him in a strict hierarchy and suggests he was one of the original beings in the infernal realms who survived the fall.

Development in Renaissance Grimoires

As the Abramelin text was copied and translated, Ariton became part of the larger “King of the Four Quarters” system.

By the time of the Grimoire of Armadel, his role focused more on the elements and direction of the East. He changed from a spirit in one system to a more general entity in ceremonial magic, often seen as the same as the king Oriens.

Was Ariton Ever Mentioned in the Bible?

Ariton is not mentioned in the Bible. His name and specific persona do not appear in the Old or New Testaments or in the recognized Apocrypha. His existence is strictly limited to the post-biblical tradition of grimoires and occult philosophy.

Ariton in Grimoires and Other Texts

Besides the main Abramelin text, Ariton is listed in different catalogs of spirits that try to map out Hell.

Source	Quote
The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage	“The Eight Sub-Princes: Ariton, Magot, Asmodee, Belzebud, Oriens, Paimon, Ariton, and Amaimon.”
The Grimoire of Armadel	“Ariton is a Prince of the Orient who hath many spirits under him; he can show all things that are to come.”
The Key of Solomon (Variations)	“The spirits of the East are under the rule of the King of the Orient, whom some call Egyn or Ariton.”

Powers and Abilities

Ariton’s powers focus on gaining knowledge and influencing the physical world through spiritual means. His main ability is revealing the past and future, not as prophecy, but by using his long experience and observation of people. He can let practitioners see events happening far away as if they were right there.

Ariton is also said to control hidden treasures, knowing where every gold vein, gemstone, and buried hoard is in his area. He does not just give wealth, but gives the ability to find it. He can also grant familiar spirits—lesser demons who serve the practitioner, do small tasks, or offer protection.

Ariton also has the power of illusion. He can fill the air with voices or make buildings and landscapes appear where none exist. He uses this to trick or test those who summon him. His control over Air lets him stir or calm the winds, which often signals his arrival or departure in rituals.

---

---

Ariton Myths, Legends, and Stories

The Submission of Ariton in the Abramelin Operation

The main story about Ariton is his role in the “Abramelin Operation,” a lengthy ritual that can last 6 to 18 months and aims to achieve “Knowledge and Conversation with the Holy Guardian Angel.” After the practitioner contacts their angel, they must summon the princes of Hell to swear their loyalty.

Ariton is the first sub-prince to be summoned. He does not come willingly, but as a defeated king. The story says the practitioner, protected by the Holy Guardian Angel, forces Ariton to appear before a magic terrace.

The demon is made to swear on a silver plate that he will serve the practitioner, provide loyal familiar spirits, and never deceive them. This story shows the victory of divine power over the infernal order, making Ariton a powerful but still subordinate being.

Ariton vs Other Christian Demons

Demon Name	Associated Sin/Temptation	Rank/Origin	Key Traits/Powers
Lucifer	Pride	Emperor / Biblical	Supreme ruler of the fallen.
Beelzebub	Gluttony	Prince / Philistine	Lord of the Flies; causes destruction.
Asmodeus	Lust	King / Book of Tobit	Breaks marriages; grants invisibility.
Belphegor	Sloth	Prince / Moabite	Inspires ingenious inventions via laziness.
Mammon	Greed	Prince / New Testament	Personification of wealth and avarice.
Leviathan	Envy	Grand Admiral / Biblical	Great serpent of the deep abyss.
Paimon	Disobedience	King / Ars Goetia	Teaches arts and sciences; loud voice.
Belial	Lawlessness	Prince / Dead Sea Scrolls	Hostility and Worthlessness.
Astaroth	Vanity	Grand Duke / Phoenician	Teaches liberal sciences; knows all secrets.
Bael	Deceit	King / Ars Goetia	Grants the power of invisibility.
Adrammelech	Idolatry	Chancellor / Assyrian	In charge of the wardrobe of Hell.
Moloch	Child Sacrifice	Prince / Canaanite	Associated with fire and purification.
Azazel	Rebellion	Chief / Book of Enoch	Taught man the art of warfare.
Abaddon	Destruction	King / Revelation	Lord of the locust plague.

Rank in the Hierarchy of Hell

In the hierarchy of Hell, Ariton has a powerful middle rank as a Sub-Prince, just below the “Four Superior Spirits.” He serves these higher beings fully, acting as their chief officer and translating their broad commands into specific actions in the physical world.

Ariton is often grouped with three other kings: Oriens, Paimon, and Amaimon. Together, they stand for the four corners of the world. Some texts mix up Ariton and Oriens, but the Abramelin system keeps them separate, with Ariton often seen as the “King of Kings” among the sub-princes.

Ariton has 22 spirits who serve only him, but he also shares control over hundreds more with the other kings. He has few rivals at his level because the higher princes keep strict order. Still, he is known to be “hard to bind,” showing he is proud and resistant, needing a strong spiritual force to control.

Mystical Correspondences

Attribute	Details
Planet	The Sun (as King of the East/Sunrise)
Zodiac Sign	Leo
Element	Air
Direction	East
Color	Yellow or Gold
Number	4 (Representing the four kings)
Crystal/Mineral	Topaz
Metal	Gold
Herb/Plant	Frankincense
Animal	Eagle or Hawk

Ariton’s cosmic ties are closely linked to the rising Sun, showing his role as King of the East. His connection to the Sun is not about kindness, but about the harsh, revealing heat that uncovers what was hidden at night. This link gives him the power to reveal secrets, matching his role in the Abramelin text as a spirit who “knows all things.”

The demon is connected to the element of Air, which carries sound and illusions. Since Air is changeable and spreads everywhere, his influence is thought to be “everywhere at once” in his domain. The East is the main direction for summoning him, as it is where the day begins.

These connections help explain his evil nature: he is not a demon of the dark earth, but of the high, cold air and bright light, using clarity and intelligence to trap others.

Ariton’s Sigil

Ariton’s sigil, or the magic squares linked to him in the Abramelin tradition, acts as a spiritual “address” or “signature.” In the past, these symbols were seen as essential because they were thought to hold the demon’s power. Without the right sigil, a practitioner could not control a spirit as strong as Ariton.

The sigil was usually drawn on parchment or metal to help the practitioner focus and to anchor the demon’s energy during a ritual. This ensured the demon could not appear outside the magician’s set limits.

Summoning and Rituals

Summoning Ariton was always part of a larger, life-changing ritual. The main method is described in The Book of the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage. This ritual required the practitioner to live alone for months, praying and purifying themselves. Only after reaching “spiritual perfection” could they call on Ariton.

The ritual took place in a specially prepared room or magic circle. Renaissance occultists believed Ariton should be summoned on a Wednesday or Sunday at sunrise to use his power from the East. These rituals were not for worship, but to get information or make him provide familiars.

In folklore, witches were sometimes accused of making “pacts” with spirits, such as Ariton, to gain powers like flight or second sight. However, in formal grimoire magic, the goal was to command and control the spirit using divine names.

---

---

Frequently Asked Questions