The Devil
The title uses the word “Devil” instead of “Demon.” Strictly speaking, it should be translated as “Devil,” not “Demon.” (Devil refers specifically to the chief evil figure, like Satan; Demon generally refers to evil spirits or lesser demons.) The word “Devil” shares the same linguistic root as “divinity.” Does that imply the Devil is also a god? He possesses divine powers—but he is a different kind of god, one who has a bit more “human nature” than divinity, yet a bit less “humanity” than people. So perhaps this gives us the image of someone “powerful, but lacking empathy.”
The Devil’s hand grips a human hand—but is the human not returning the grasp? It’s not control—it’s a transaction with clearly stated terms. Just like in the Rider-Waite card, the chains don’t truly bind anyone.
Connecting the white dots forms the Capricorn constellation. The goat in the background symbolizes both the Devil and the astrological sign Capricorn, and a downward-pointing pentagram—the symbol of the Devil—is drawn on the goat’s forehead.