Enochian Sigils



This is a type of magic that both Demons and Angels have knowledge of. Hunters have some knowledge of it, but do not completely understand it. They really begin to show up in Season 4

Uses
There are many uses for Enochian sigils:

Angel Ward
Sometimes referred to as "angel-proofing", these sigils can keep angels out of a building. It can be is invisible to the human eye, but angels and spirits can see it. It is demons who mainly do this. This technique is first seen in Death Takes a Holiday, when Sam and Dean notice it painted all over the funeral home. Castiel later confirms to Dean that those runes keep angels out. Crowley had Enochian sigils all over his mansion which prevented Castiel from entering (Abandon All Hope...).

Sam and Dean are later forced to write it all over Bobby's house to keep Castiel out in The Man Who Would Be King - though Bobby doesn't do a very good job. They get it right in The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Concealment From Angels
"They're Enochian sigils. They'll hide you from every angel in creation, including Lucifer. What? You just branded us with it?! No, I carved in to your ribs."

- Castiel and Dean An intricate series of sigils 'carved' in the surface of a person's ribcage. With them, humans can hide from Angels and Archangels and won't be able to be found. So far, no angel has been able to overpower this, however Lucifer eventually finds Sam, telling him, "You're a hard one to find, Sam". Sam, Dean and Adam are the only humans known to have these carved into their ribs (it's possible that Bobby also had it done). This was first seen in Sympathy for the Devil when Castiel carves them into Sam and Dean's ribs to hide them from the angels. It even hides the recipients from the Angel responsible for bestowing it to them, and as such, Castiel needed to contact the Winchesters via phone and vice-versa in order to pin-point their location. However, this concealment can be easily bypassed by Angels via Dream Walking, though doing so does not allow them to discern the location of the dreamer, unless the dreamer willing reveals to the angel their actual location. (Point of No Return)

This is seen in Frontierland, when an injured Castiel paints a sigil on Bobby's fridge to hide himself while he healed. It is believed that it hides an angel's presence from any other angel.

Demon Body Imprisonment
With this symbol carved into the human the demon is possessing, it locks them inside their body, making them unable to leave. This is first seen in The Devil You Know when Crowley carves it into Brady's chest to stop him from escaping.

Also See:

 * Angel Banishing Sigil
 * Angel Banishing Spell
 * Tulpa: Tibetan Spirit Sigil