Editing Satyr (section)

==Origin hypotheses==
===Indo-European===
[[File:Leshy (1906).jpg|thumb|According to [[M. L. West]], satyrs bear similarities to figures in other Indo-European mythologies, such as the Slavic ''[[leshy]]'' (pictured){{sfn|West|2007|pages=292–297, 302–303}} and some form of similar entity probably originated in [[Proto-Indo-European mythology]].{{sfn|West|2007|pages=302–303}}]]

According to classicist [[Martin Litchfield West]], satyrs and silenoi in Greek mythology are similar to a number of other entities appearing in other Indo-European mythologies,{{sfn|West|2007|pages=292–297, 302–303}} indicating that they probably go back, in some vague form, to [[Proto-Indo-European mythology]].{{sfn|West|2007|pages=302–303}} Like satyrs, these other Indo-European nature spirits are often human-animal hybrids, frequently bearing specifically equine or asinine features.{{sfn|West|2007|pages=292–294}} Human-animal hybrids known as [[Kinnara kingdom|Kiṃpuruṣas]] or Kiṃnaras are mentioned in the {{transliteration|sa|[[Ramayana|Rāmāyaṇa]]}}, an Indian epic poem written in [[Sanskrit]].{{sfn|West|2007|pages=292–293}} According to [[Augustine of Hippo]] (354–430 AD) and others, the ancient Celts believed in ''[[Dusios|dusii]]'', which were hairy demons believed to occasionally take human form and seduce mortal women.{{sfn|West|2007|pages=292–294}} Later figures in Celtic folklore, including the Irish {{lang|ga|bocánach}}, the Scottish {{lang|gd|[[Brownie (folklore)#Ùruisg|ùruisg]]}} and {{lang|gd|[[glaistig]]}}, and the [[Manx language|Manx]] {{lang|gv|goayr heddagh}}, are part human and part goat.{{sfn|West|2007|page=294}} The lexicographer [[Hesychius of Alexandria]] (fifth or sixth century AD) records that the [[Illyrians]] believed in satyr-like creatures called ''Deuadai''.{{sfn|West|2007|pages=293–294}} The Slavic ''[[leshy]]'' also bears similarities to satyrs, since he is described as being covered in hair and having "goat's horns, ears, feet, and long clawlike fingernails."{{sfn|West|2007|page=294}}

Like satyrs, these similar creatures in other Indo-European mythologies are often also tricksters, mischief-makers, and dancers.{{sfn|West|2007|pages=294–295}} The ''leshy'' was believed to trick travelers into losing their way.{{sfn|West|2007|page=294}} The [[Armenia]]n Pay(n) were a group of male spirits said to dance in the woods.{{sfn|West|2007|page=295}} In Germanic mythology, [[Elf|elves]] were also said to dance in woodland clearings and leave behind [[fairy ring]]s.{{sfn|West|2007|page=295}} They were also thought to play pranks, steal horses, [[Fairy-lock|tie knots in people's hair]], and steal children and replace them with [[changeling]]s.{{sfn|West|2007|page=295}} West notes that satyrs, elves, and other nature spirits of this variety are a "motley crew" and that it is difficult to reconstruct a prototype behind them.{{sfn|West|2007|page=303}} Nonetheless, he concludes that "we can recognize recurrent traits" and that they can probably be traced back to the Proto-Indo-Europeans in some form.{{sfn|West|2007|page=303}}

===Near Eastern===
On the other hand, a number of commentators have noted that satyrs are also similar to beings in the beliefs of ancient Near Eastern cultures. Various demons of the desert are mentioned in ancient Near Eastern texts, although the iconography of these beings is poorly-attested.{{sfn|Janowski|1999|page=1381}} Beings possibly similar to satyrs called {{transliteration|hbo|[[Se'irim|śě'îrîm]]}} are mentioned several times in the [[Hebrew Bible]].{{sfn|Edwards|2015|pages=75–76}}{{sfn|Janowski|1999|pages=1381–1382}} {{transliteration|hbo|Śĕ'îr}} was the standard Hebrew word for '[[he-goat]]', but it could also apparently sometimes refer to demons in the forms of goats.{{sfn|Edwards|2015|pages=75–76}}{{sfn|Janowski|1999|page=1381}} They were evidently subjects of veneration, because Leviticus 17:7 forbids Israelites from making sacrificial offerings to them<ref>{{bibleverse|Leviticus|17:7}}</ref> and 2 Chronicles 11:15  mentions that a special cult was established for the {{transliteration|hbo|śě'îrîm}} of [[Jeroboam I]].<ref>{{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|11:15}}</ref>{{sfn|Janowski|1999|page=1381}} Like satyrs, they were associated with desolate places and with some variety of dancing.{{sfn|Janowski|1999|pages=1381–1382}} Isaiah 13:21 predicts,<ref>{{bibleverse|Isaiah|13:21|9}}</ref> in Karen L. Edwards's translation: "But ''wild animals'' [{{transliteration|hbo|ziim}}] will lie down there, and its houses will be full of ''howling creatures'' [{{transliteration|hbo|ohim}}]; there [[ostrich]]es will live, and there ''goat-demons'' [{{transliteration|hbo|śĕ'îr}}] will dance."{{sfn|Edwards|2015|page=75}} Similarly, Isaiah 34:14 declares: "''[[Wildcat]]s'' [{{transliteration|hbo|ziim}}] shall meet with ''[[hyena]]s'' [{{transliteration|hbo|iim}}], ''goat-demons'' [{{transliteration|hbo|śĕ'îr}}] shall call to each other; there too ''[[Lilith]]'' [{{transliteration|hbo|lilit}}] shall repose and find a place to rest."<ref>{{bibleverse|Isaiah|34:14|9}}</ref>{{sfn|Edwards|2015|page=75}} {{transliteration|hbo|Śě'îrîm}} were understood by at least some ancient commentators to be goat-like demons of the wilderness.{{sfn|Edwards|2015|page=75}}<ref>Alexander Kulik, '[https://www.academia.edu/6993101/How_the_Devil_Got_His_Hooves_and_Horns_The_Origin_of_the_Motif How the Devil Got His Hooves and Horns: The Origin of the Motif and the Implied Demonology of ''3 Baruch'']', ''Numen'', 60 (2013), 195–229 {{doi|10.1163/15685276-12341263}}.</ref> In the Latin [[Vulgate]] translation of the [[Old Testament]], {{transliteration|hbo|śĕ'îr}} is translated as {{lang|la|[[wikt:pilosus|pilosus]]}}, which also means 'hairy'.{{sfn|Edwards|2015|page=76}} Jerome, the translator of the Vulgate, equated these figures with satyrs.{{sfn|Link|1995|pages=44–45}} Both satyrs and {{transliteration|hbo|śě'îrîm}} have also been compared to the [[jinn]] of [[Pre-Islamic Arabia]],{{sfn|Janowski|1999|page=1381}}<ref>MacDonald, D.B., Massé, H., Boratav, P.N., Nizami, K.A. and Voorhoeve, P., "Ḏj̲inn", in: Encyclopaedia of Islam, Second Edition, Edited by: P. Bearman, Th. Bianquis, C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P. Heinrichs. Consulted online on 21 September 2018 {{doi|10.1163/1573-3912_islam_COM_0191}}. First published online: 2012.</ref>{{sfn|El-Zein|2009|page=51}} who were envisioned as hairy demons in the forms of animals who could sometimes change into other forms, including human-like ones.{{sfn|Janowski|1999|page=1381}}