Darkness is the absence of light. As a metaphor, it is also the lack of knowledge (ignorance). It is also associated with mystery and with unknown things. In Western tradition, darkness is also associated with evil, evil entities (such as demons or Satan), and Hell or the underworld (see Dark ages). The love of darkness is called lygophilia.

There are several other meanings of darkness:

• The Darkness is a band from the United Kingdom.
• The Darkness is a comic book title published by Top Cow Productions.
• Darkness is a poem written in 1816 by Lord Byron
• Darkness is a 2002 horror movie directed by Jaume Balagueró