Woodcut of Flying Witches – From Cotton Mather’s "Wonders of the Invisible World" (1689), Later Used in 18th-Century Pamphlets about the Lancashire Witches – Witchcraft Print, Medieval Devil Poster, Occult Wall Art #327

This Flying Witches Woodcut Print is a reproduction of one of the most iconic early modern depictions of witchcraft and demonic flight. First appearing in Cotton Mather’s notorious Wonders of the Invisible World (1689) — a text written to defend the Salem witch trials — this image was later reused in 18th-century pamphlets describing the Lancashire witches. It vividly captures the feverish imagination of an era obsessed with witchcraft, devils, and the cosmic battle between good and evil.

The composition shows two witches flying through the night sky on broomsticks, accompanied by a horned demon, while a man with a stick soars behind them. On the ground, a startled figure raises his hands in terror or accusation, reinforcing the sense that this is an act witnessed by society — a transgression against divine and natural order.

A Snapshot of Witchcraft Lore and Fear

This dramatic woodcut is more than a decorative image — it is a portal into the fears and obsessions of Puritan New England and early modern Europe. Flying witches were believed to attend nocturnal sabbaths, where they pledged loyalty to the Devil, performed rites of inversion, and plotted acts of maleficium (harmful magic) against their neighbors. Such imagery fueled moral panic and justified harsh prosecutions during the witch trials of the 16th, 17th, and even early 18th centuries.

Available as a fine art print on antiqued paper for a historically faithful look, or as a bold gallery-quality canvas for an impressive statement piece. Delivered unframed, allowing you to match the frame to your gothic, rustic, or occult-inspired interior.

Symbolism and Esoteric Meaning

• The Witches in Flight – Emblems of transgression and spiritual rebellion, breaking away from divine law.
• The Horned Demon – Represents the Devil’s presence, the infernal patron guiding the witches to the sabbath.
• The Broomsticks – Fertility and magical tools, symbolizing both domestic inversion and spiritual power.
• The Witness Below – The fearful observer, standing in for the community that sought to condemn and punish.
• Night Sky and Motion – Evoke the hidden, secretive nature of witchcraft and the dread of the unknown.

Historical and Cultural Context

Cotton Mather’s Wonders of the Invisible World was central to the Salem witch hysteria, shaping public opinion and justifying trials and executions. This image not only embodies Mather’s theological framing of witchcraft as a diabolical conspiracy but also reflects a much older European tradition of illustrating witches as flying through the air — a motif that dates back to the late Middle Ages. By the 18th century, it became a popular emblem of witch panic, reprinted in pamphlets that recounted the Lancashire witch trials.

This piece is an arresting reminder of the propaganda used to shape belief and inspire fear — a window into a world where witchcraft was not a metaphor but a capital crime.

Why Choose This Print?

• Faithful reproduction of a legendary witchcraft woodcut
• Printed on antiqued paper or gallery canvas
• Unframed – perfect for custom framing
• Ideal for witchcraft historians, folklore enthusiasts, and collectors of dark art
• Adds a dramatic, historical presence to libraries, studies, and ritual rooms

Perfect For

• Collectors of witchcraft, occult, and demonology prints
• Historians and students of early modern Europe and colonial America
• Dark academia, gothic, or rustic interior design
• Conversation pieces for esoteric spaces and libraries
• Unique gifts for lovers of folklore, mythology, and occult history

More Than Just a Witchcraft Print

This Flying Witches Woodcut Print (#327) is more than an image — it is a chilling glimpse into the fears, superstitions, and theological obsessions of the past. It invites contemplation on how society has imagined and persecuted those it deemed dangerous, offering both a work of historical art and a conversation-starting centerpiece for any space.

👉 Order your Flying Witches Woodcut Print today and bring this legendary scene of witchcraft and folklore into your home — perfect for those who revel in the dark, the mysterious, and the magical.

Canvas vs. Hand-Made Paper — Print Comparison Guide