Revealing “The Devil’s Bible”: The Mystery of Codex Gigas

You’ve probably heard of many scriptures that describe various religions and their ways of life, but have you ever thought that a demon might have created a scripture? It might sound a bit strange, but such a scripture exists, known as the Codex Gigas, and it’s also referred to as The Devil’s Bible.

From its creation to its very existence, every aspect of this book raises questions, and we’ve only found answers to a few of them. This blog will help you understand the world of this extraordinary book, along with the eerie story behind it.

What is Codex Gigas, and why is it called The Devil’s Bible?

This book is written in Latin, and there are many stories about who wrote it and why. According to some legends, it was written by a monk who promised the Devil to complete the book in one night, although there is no evidence of this. It earned the name The Devil’s Bible because throughout the manuscript, there are several depictions of the Devil in various forms.

The book is also called the Giant Book because it measures nearly 3 feet in length, 20 inches in width, and weighs 165 pounds. The Codex Gigas was created at the beginning of the 13th century, around 1229, in a Benedictine monastery. It contains religious texts, historical writings, medical knowledge, magical incantations, and even occult rituals, along with numerous sections of the Latin Vulgate Bible.

Apart from the Latin Bible, the Codex Gigas also includes several important works, such as:

• Medical manuscripts, including treatments for various diseases.

• A calendar featuring local Bohemian records and necrology.

• Magical formulas and prayers.

Physical Characteristics of Codex Gigas

Materials and Pages: The Codex Gigas contains 310 pages, made from the skin of approximately 160 animals. Originally, it had 320 pages, but 10 pages have mysteriously disappeared, and some believe they may have contained dangerous secrets.

Full-page Illustration of the Devil: The most infamous page of the Codex Gigas is Folio 290 Recto, which features a full-page depiction of the Devil. He is portrayed as a monstrous figure with red eyes, clawed hands, and two swirling tongues.

Surviving Fire: Surprisingly, the Codex Gigas survived a fire in 1697 at the Royal Castle in Sweden.

The Story of Herman the Recluse

One of the most fascinating legends associated with this book is the story of Herman the Recluse, the monk who allegedly made a pact with the Devil.

Herman was walled alive for breaking the monastery’s rules. To avoid death, he promised to create a book that would immortalize the monastery and contain all the knowledge of humankind.

Due to time constraints, he sought help from the Devil. In return, the Devil claimed Herman’s soul.

Herman added an image of the Devil in the book as a warning.

@nilanjana chakraborty

How Was Codex Gigas Created?

Given how it was written and the materials used—such as the skin of 160 animals—it seems that it must have taken years to complete. But the real question is, how could one person write such a massive manuscript alone in just one day? This might give us a hint as to whether the Devil’s help was truly involved.

The Codex Gigas is now preserved in the National Library of Sweden (Kungliga Biblioteket) in Stockholm.