The Functioning of the Necronomicon

H.P. Lovecraft, a pioneer of weird fiction, constructed a rich mythology featuring strange creatures, troubled societies, mad intellectuals, and a collection of books brimming with forbidden knowledge. Among the many volumes referenced in his works, one stands out as particularly captivating: the 'Necronomicon.' Lovecraft describes it as a book packed with arcane secrets and rituals capable of pushing its readers to the edge of madness.

In truth, the 'Necronomicon' is a fictional creation, despite the existence of several books bearing its name in stores. This tome is simply another element of Lovecraft's imaginative storytelling, devised as a narrative tool.

The 'Necronomicon' holds a pivotal place in the Cthulhu mythos—the overarching mythology in much of Lovecraft's work, which revolves around immensely powerful extraterrestrial entities. Lovecraft references the book in 18 of his tales, more frequently than any other mystical text, whether real or imagined. For many enthusiasts of the mythos, the 'Necronomicon' is regarded as the cornerstone of Lovecraft's fictional universe, often likened to a sacred text. This reverence is likely why the book is consistently referred to as the 'Necronomicon.'

According to Lovecraft, the book was penned by the deranged Arab Abdul Alhazred, who met a gruesome end in A.D. 738, devoured by unseen monstrous entities.

What does this book contain? Based on Lovecraft's narratives, Alhazred primarily documented a race of extraterrestrial beings with immense cosmic abilities. He referred to them as the Old Ones, a term Lovecraft used for various groups of bizarre creatures. In "The Dunwich Horror," Lovecraft includes a detailed passage from the "Necronomicon" about Yog-Sothoth, one of the Old Ones. The excerpt also mentions Cthulhu, a dormant sea-dwelling monster, revealing that Cthulhu is only loosely connected to the other Old Ones and can "barely perceive Them."

Essentially, the book is a fictional chronicle of our world and the ancient beings who once dominated the Earth and other dimensions. Lovecraft interpreted the title as "the book of the customs (or laws) of the dead," though a more precise translation would be "the book of dead names." Over time, other writers have portrayed the "Necronomicon" as a spellbook, but aside from some ambiguous references to summoning rituals, this does not align with Lovecraft's original vision.

Despite this, the book's account of the early days of our world and the otherworldly entities that governed it is so terrifying that, as Lovecraft claimed, merely reading it could induce madness. Many of Lovecraft's tales conclude with characters losing their sanity, often after encountering the "Necronomicon." Lovecraft emphasized that these beings were so alien to human understanding that even brief contemplation of them could distort one's mind.

In this piece, we will delve into the fictional creator of the "Necronomicon," the various translations Lovecraft references in his works, the real and imagined locations where one might find a copy—if it existed—and the hoaxes and tributes sparked by Lovecraft's ingenious invention.

In the following section, we will delve deeper into the life of the mad Arab.

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It's a Mad, Mad, Arab Abdul Alhazred World

Who exactly is this Alhazred character? In the fictional Cthulhu mythos, Abdul Alhazred was a poet born in Yemen who resided in Damascus during the 8th century. He was a globetrotter, journeying across the Middle East and Europe. Known for his exceptional intellect and linguistic skills, he was also a heavy user of drugs, a detail crucial to the creation of the "Necronomicon."

Alhazred's knowledge seemed to come from the universe itself. He would meditate while breathing in fumes from incense laced with substances like opium, waiting for insights to flood his mind. This unconventional approach to gathering knowledge likely earned him the nickname the "mad Arab."

Alhazred's book was originally titled "Al Azif," a term referring to the nocturnal sounds of insects, though some scholars—both real and fictional—claim it also represents the howls of demons. Unfortunately, no copies of the original Arabic manuscript survive, leaving aspiring mad scholars worldwide out of luck.

While the Cthulhu mythos presents this tale, the reality is simpler. Abdul Alhazred was a name Lovecraft conjured up as a child while immersing himself in the tales of Andrew Lang's "Arabian Nights." He was only five years old at the time.

Yes, the most renowned mystical tome of spells began as the imagination of a five-year-old boy from New England. Later, Lovecraft meticulously wove the "Necronomicon" into his stories, often referencing it alongside real occult texts like "The Book of Dyzan" and "Poligraphia." However, in his personal letters, he openly acknowledged the whimsical origin of the mad Arab's name.

Lovecraft once shared his wish to write the "Necronomicon" himself. He imagined it would be thrilling to craft an ancient manuscript that could add authenticity to his mythos [source: The H.P. Lovecraft Archive]. However, he deemed the task too daunting and instead contemplated creating an abridged version, focusing only on the less mind-bending sections.

Soon after its introduction, the "Necronomicon" started appearing in other writers' works. Lovecraft delighted in these references, believing they enhanced the book's illusion of reality.

In the following section, we'll explore the different translations of the fictional "Necronomicon" and the legendary locations where these books are said to reside.

The Language of the 'Necronomicon'

In a letter to Clark Ashton Smith, Lovecraft explained that Theodorus Philetas translated the original Arabic manuscript into Greek in A.D. 950, renaming it the "Necronomicon." Most copies were destroyed following several disturbing incidents where individuals attempted to use the text to control the Old Ones.

In 1228, Olaus Wormius, a priest, translated the Arabic text into Latin. Both the Latin and Greek versions were banned by Pope Gregory IX, and the Church confiscated and burned as many copies as possible (historically, Olaus Wormius was a 17th-century Dutch physician unrelated to occult literature).

Further legends suggest that in 1586, Dr. John Dee, an English magician, unearthed a rare copy of Wormius' Latin translation. Dee and his assistant, Edward Kelly, tried to translate it into English. While the full text was never published, the original translation is housed in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, England (the real John Dee served as an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I and was renowned as a mathematician and alchemist).

Other writers reference additional translations, including a Hebrew version, though not all Lovecraft enthusiasts consider these part of the Cthulhu Mythos canon. Lovecraft stated that copies of the "Necronomicon" could be found in several libraries, including:

In Lovecraft's stories, most religious and political groups outright ban the book, as chaos and insanity seem to follow wherever it appears. Naturally, all these copies are entirely fictional. Miskatonic University and Arkham are both creations of Lovecraft and do not exist in reality.

In the next section, we'll examine some hoaxes that have deceived people into believing a real "Necronomicon" exists.

Your Local Friendly Necronomicon

You might be wondering, "Hey, Mytour, what about all those copies of the 'Necronomicon' I've seen on Amazon.com or at my local bookstore?" These books are all hoaxes, ranging in quality. Some authors created them to expand on Lovecraft's vision, while others aimed to profit from the gullible.

The most famous of the hoax editions is the Simon "Necronomicon." Compiled by an editor known only as Simon, this version merges the Cthulhu Mythos with Mesopotamian mythology and mysticism, presenting itself as a spellbook capable of summoning various eldritch creatures (meaning strange, otherworldly beings). Initially, only 666 copies were printed in 1977, with Avon Publishing releasing it widely in 1980. Numerous websites thoroughly debunk the book, with one even uncovering Simon's (alleged) true identity.

Two other notable spoof versions are the DeCamp-Scithers and Wilson-Hay-Langford-Turner editions. The DeCamp-Scithers version, created by authors L. Sprague De Camp and George Scithers, features repetitive pages of nonsensical text in an Aramaic-like language. De Camp included an introduction admitting the book was a fake. Colin Wilson, co-author of the other spoof, confessed to the joke in an article titled "The Necronomicon: The Origin of a Spoof." His edition, like Simon's, included rituals and spells typical of grimoire literature—manuals often associated with magical practices.

Several other versions circulate in bookstores and on the Internet. These are either poor imitations of Lovecraft's style or bizarre blends of the Cthulhu mythos with older mythologies. Ultimately, the "Necronomicon" is a literary tool designed to lend credibility to otherwise fantastical tales, though its influence has far exceeded its creator's intentions.

In the next section, we'll explore how the "Necronomicon" has appeared in various movies, TV shows, and comic books.

Pop-Up Necronomicon

The "Necronomicon" has made its way into countless films, comic books, short stories, novels, and even cartoons. In most instances, it is portrayed as a perilous grimoire filled with dark spells and rituals. In other cases, its appearance is a subtle wink to the audience. Regardless, the book's influence extends far beyond the Cthulhu mythos.

One of the most notorious appearances of the "Necronomicon" in cult cinema is in the "The Evil Dead" series. Sam Raimi's films follow Ash, played by Bruce Campbell, as he battles supernatural entities and ghosts intent on ending his life. The root of the chaos is an ancient tome bound in human skin and inscribed in blood—the "Necronomicon." While it shares the name, it diverges significantly from Lovecraft's version, lacking any connection to his grimoire or its creatures, though it does include rituals and spells.

There is even a film titled "Necronomicon," which consists of three short stories inspired by Lovecraft's works. Other movies like "Cast a Deadly Spell" and "Forever Evil" reference the "Necronomicon" and draw from the Cthulhu mythos but are not direct adaptations of Lovecraft's tales.

On television, the "Necronomicon" makes frequent appearances, particularly in animated series. Below is a brief list of cartoons that have referenced it:

Whenever a director or writer needs a sinister book for their narrative, the "Necronomicon" is often the chosen grimoire. Lovecraft would likely be delighted by the enduring popularity of his creation, though he might be slightly baffled by its inclusion in stories unrelated to his mythos. Next time you watch a movie or show with a supernatural theme, stay alert—chances are, the "Necronomicon" will make an appearance.