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[[File:Baphomet Levi.jpg|400px|thumb|Baphomet as depicted by Éliphas Lévi]] | [[File:Baphomet Levi.jpg|400px|thumb|Baphomet as depicted by Éliphas Lévi]] | ||
'''Baphomet''' is a deity allegedly worshipped by the [[Knights Templar]] that subsequently became incorporated into various [[occult]] and Western esoteric traditions. The name Baphomet appeared in trial transcripts for the [[Inquisition]] of the Knights Templar starting in 1307 | '''Baphomet''' is a deity allegedly worshipped by the [[Knights Templar]] that subsequently became incorporated into various [[occult]] and Western esoteric traditions. The name "Baphomet" appeared in trial transcripts for the [[Inquisition]] of the Knights Templar starting in 1307, but it did not enter popular English usage until the 19th century during debate and speculation on the reasons for the suppression of the Templar order. | ||
Baphomet is a symbol of balance in | Baphomet is a symbol of balance in occult traditions, the origin of which some [[occultist]]s have linked with the [[Gnosticism|Gnostics]] and Templars; although Baphomet is also revered as a deity or a [[demon]]. | ||
Since 1856 the figure of Baphomet has been associated with the "Sabbatic Goat" image drawn by [[Éliphas Lévi]], composed of binary elements representing the "symbolization of the equilibrium of opposites:" half-human and half-animal, male and female, good and evil. Lévi's intention was to symbolize his concept of balance, with Baphomet representing the goal of perfect social order. | |||
==First recorded use of the name== | ==First recorded use of the name== | ||
Raymond of Aguilers, a chronicler of the First Crusade, reports that the troubadours used the term ''Bafomet'' for the Prophet Muhammad, and ''Bafumaria'' for a mosque. The first written record of the name ''Baphometh'' came in 1098. During the siege of Antioch, | Raymond of Aguilers, a chronicler of the First Crusade, reports that the troubadours used the term ''Bafomet'' for the Prophet Muhammad, and ''Bafumaria'' for a mosque. The first written record of the name ''Baphometh'' came in 1098. During the siege of Antioch, [[Islam|Muslim]] defenders from the Seljuk Empire gave a war cry to ''Baphometh'' while the Crusaders silently prayed to [[Yahweh|God]]. | ||
The name ''Bafometz'' later appeared around 1195 in the Provençal | The name ''Bafometz'' later appeared around 1195 in the Provençal poem ''Senhors, per los nostres peccatz'' written by the troubadour Gavaudan. Around 1250, a Provençal poem by Austorc d'Aorlhac bewailing the defeat of the Seventh Crusade again uses the name ''Bafomet'' for Muhammad. ''De Bafomet'' is also the title of one of four surviving chapters of an Occitan translation of Ramon Llull's earliest known work, the ''Libre de la doctrina pueril''. | ||
==Templar deity== | ==Templar deity== | ||
Baphomet was allegedly worshipped as a deity by the medieval order of the [[Knights Templar]] | [[File:Templars on Stake.jpg|400px|thumb|Knights Templar being burned at the stake]] | ||
Baphomet was allegedly worshipped as a deity by the [[Christianity|Catholic]] medieval order of the [[Knights Templar]]. King Philip IV of France used these rumors to have many French Templars simultaneously arrested, and then tortured into confessions in October 1307. Over 100 different charges were leveled against the Templars, including [[heresy]], idolatry, spitting and urinating on the cross, and engaging in homosexual relations. Most of these allegations were dubious, as they were the same charges that were leveled against the [[Cathar]]s and many of King Philip's other enemies. | |||
A subsequent indictment issued by the Pope in Rome against the Templars accused them of revering a severed, mummified head (which may have been addressed as "Baphomet") stated: "they worshipped the idol as a god, as their saviour, saying that this head could save them, that it bestowed on the order all its wealth, made the trees flower, and the plants of the earth to sprout forth." | |||
A document called the ''Chinon Parchment'' suggests the Templars did not actually practice these activities, but engaged in a ritualized version of them during their initiation ceremony. This was designed to prepare the initiated knight for the kind of psychological and spiritual torture he might be subjected to if he were captured by the Muslim army. The intent was that the knight would not forsake [[Christianity]] if compelled to demean the cross and worship Muhammad by his captors because he had already performed theatrical versions of those offenses during the initiation. | A document called the ''Chinon Parchment'' suggests the Templars did not actually practice these activities, but engaged in a ritualized version of them during their initiation ceremony. This was designed to prepare the initiated knight for the kind of psychological and spiritual torture he might be subjected to if he were captured by the [[Islam|Muslim]] army. The intent was that the knight would not forsake [[Christianity]] if compelled to demean the cross and worship Muhammad by his captors because he had already performed theatrical versions of those offenses during the initiation. | ||
===Templar confessions=== | ===Templar confessions=== | ||
During the [[Inquisition]]'s trial of the Templar knights in 1307, the primary charge was worshipping of an idol of Baphomet. However, as the confessions of the accused were given under torture, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. The description of the idol changed from confession to confession; some Templars denied any knowledge of it, while others described it as being either a severed head, a cat, or a head with three faces. | During the [[Inquisition]]'s trial of the Templar knights in 1307, the primary charge was worshipping of an idol of Baphomet. However, as the confessions of the accused were given under torture, it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. The description of the idol changed from confession to confession; some Templars denied any knowledge of it, while others described it as being either a severed head, a cat, or a head with three faces. | ||
Complicating matters, the Templars did possess at least three silver-gilt heads as reliquaries: one marked ''Capud LVIII'' (Head #116), another said to be St. Euphemia, and possibly the actual head of their first Grand Master, Hugues de Payens. | Complicating matters, the Templars did possess at least three silver-gilt heads as reliquaries: one marked ''Capud LVIII'' (Head #116), another said to be St. Euphemia, and possibly the actual head of their first Grand Master, Hugues de Payens. | ||
The confessions included statements such as: | The Templar confessions included statements such as: | ||
* Gauserand de Montpesant, knight of Provence: "His superior showed him an idol made in the form of ''Baffomet''." | * Gauserand de Montpesant, knight of Provence: "His superior showed him an idol made in the form of ''Baffomet''." | ||
* Raymond Rubei, knight of Provence: Described the idol as a wooden head, on which the figure of Baphomet was painted, adding, "he worshipped it by kissing its feet, and exclaiming, 'Yalla,' a word taken from the [[Islam|Muslims]]." | * Raymond Rubei, knight of Provence: Described the idol as a wooden head, on which the figure of Baphomet was painted, adding, "he worshipped it by kissing its feet, and exclaiming, 'Yalla,' a word taken from the [[Islam|Muslims]]." | ||
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==Adoption by occultists== | ==Adoption by occultists== | ||
[[File:Goat of Mendes Statue.png| | [[File:Goat of Mendes Statue.png|300px|thumb|Illustration of a carved Templar artifact, described by von Hammer-Purgstallas a "Baphometic idol."]] | ||
While modern scholars believe the Templar origins of Baphomet came from the Old French rendering of "Mahomet," starting in the 1800s, European [[occultist]]s began proposing alternative theories. | While modern scholars believe the Templar origins of Baphomet came from the Old French rendering of "Mahomet," starting in the 1800s, European [[occultist]]s began proposing alternative theories. | ||
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==Éliphas Lévi== | ==Éliphas Lévi== | ||
[[File:Baphomet Pentagrams.jpg|250px|thumb|Two pentagrams from the 1897 book ''La Clef de la Magie Noire'']] | |||
In the late 1800s, Baphomet became further associated with [[occult]] practices. In 1854, [[occultist]] and author [[Éliphas Lévi]] published a [[grimoire]] titled ''Dogma and Rituals of High Magic'' featuring an illustration of Baphomet as "The Sabbatic Goat" on the frontispiece. Lévi's drawing depicted a winged humanoid goat with breasts and a torch between its horns. He described it as a symbolic representation of "the absolute." This image has become the most well known depiction of Baphomet. | In the late 1800s, Baphomet became further associated with [[occult]] practices. In 1854, [[occultist]] and author [[Éliphas Lévi]] published a [[grimoire]] titled ''Dogma and Rituals of High Magic'' featuring an illustration of Baphomet as "The Sabbatic Goat" on the frontispiece. Lévi's drawing depicted a winged humanoid goat with breasts and a torch between its horns. He described it as a symbolic representation of "the absolute." This image has become the most well known depiction of Baphomet. | ||
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
"The goat on the frontispiece carries the sign of the pentagram on the forehead, with one point at the top, a symbol of light, his two hands forming the sign of occultism, the one pointing up to the white moon of Chesed, the other pointing down to the black one of | "The goat on the frontispiece carries the sign of the [[pentagram]] on the forehead, with one point at the top, a symbol of light, his two hands forming the sign of occultism, the one pointing up to the white [[moon]] of [[Chesed]], the other pointing down to the black one of [[Gevurah]]. This sign expresses the perfect harmony of mercy with justice. His one arm is female, the other male like the ones of the androgyne of Khunrath, the attributes of which we had to unite with those of our goat because he is one and the same symbol. | ||
"The flame of intelligence shining between his horns is the magic light of the universal balance, the image of the soul elevated above matter, as the flame, whilst being tied to matter, shines above it. The beast's head expresses the horror of the sinner, whose materially acting, solely responsible part has to bear the punishment exclusively; the soul is insensitive according to its nature and can only suffer when it materializes. The rod standing instead of genitals symbolizes eternal life, the body covered with scales: the water, the semi-circle above it: the atmosphere, the feathers following above: the volatile. Humanity is represented by the two breasts and the androgyne arms of this sphinx of the occult sciences." | "The flame of intelligence shining between his horns is the magic light of the universal balance, the image of the soul elevated above matter, as the flame, whilst being tied to matter, shines above it. The beast's head expresses the horror of the sinner, whose materially acting, solely responsible part has to bear the punishment exclusively; the soul is insensitive according to its nature and can only suffer when it materializes. The rod standing instead of genitals symbolizes eternal life, the body covered with scales: the water, the semi-circle above it: the atmosphere, the feathers following above: the volatile. Humanity is represented by the two breasts and the androgyne arms of this sphinx of the occult sciences." | ||
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===Goat of Mendes=== | ===Goat of Mendes=== | ||
Lévi equates his illustration with "The Goat of Mendes," following the account by Herodotus that the god of the Egyptian city of Mendes (Djedet) was depicted with a goat's face and legs. Herodotus related how all male goats were held in great reverence by the Mendesians, and how he witnessed a woman publicly copulate with a goat during a ritual celebration. Egyptologist E.A. Wallis Budge confirmed these accounts, equating the goats with Greek worship of Pan and the Satyrs. | Lévi equates his illustration with "The Goat of Mendes," following the account by Herodotus that the god of the Egyptian city of Mendes (Djedet) was depicted with a goat's face and legs. Herodotus related how all male goats were held in great reverence by the Mendesians, and how he witnessed a woman [[sex magic|publicly copulate]] with a goat during a ritual celebration. Egyptologist E.A. Wallis Budge confirmed these accounts, equating the goats with Greek worship of Pan and the Satyrs. | ||
===Banebdjedet=== | |||
Banebdjedet was the goat-headed god whose cult center was in Mendes. He had four rams' heads and was revered as a god of fertility, but also as the embodiment of the four ba-spirits of four gods: | |||
* [[Osiris]] | |||
* [[Geb]] | |||
* [[Shu]] | |||
* [[Ra]] | |||
These four gods represented opposites: Osiris as Death and Ra as Life, Geb as the solid [[earth (element)|earth]] and Shu as the vaporus [[air (element)|air]]. Thus, Banebdjedet would have characterized their opposing forces unified in one entity. | |||
==Aleister Crowley== | ==Aleister Crowley== | ||
Lévi's interpretation of Baphomet was an important figure within [[Aleister Crowley]]'s religious-magical tradition of [[Thelema]]. Baphomet features in the Creed of the Gnostic Catholic Church recited by the congregation in The Gnostic Mass, in the sentence: "And I believe in the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of Mysteries, in His name BAPHOMET." | Lévi's interpretation of Baphomet was an important figure within [[Aleister Crowley]]'s religious-magical tradition of [[Thelema]]. Baphomet features in the Creed of the Gnostic Catholic Church recited by the congregation in The Gnostic Mass, in the sentence: "And I believe in the Serpent and the Lion, Mystery of Mysteries, in His name BAPHOMET." | ||
Crowley asserted that Baphomet was a divine androgyne and "the hieroglyph of arcane perfection." He believed it represented the spiritual nature of the spermatozoa, while also being symbolic of the "magical child" produced as a result of [[sex magic]]. As such, Baphomet represents the Union of Opposites, especially as mystically personified in Chaos and | Crowley asserted that Baphomet was a divine androgyne and "the hieroglyph of arcane perfection." He believed it represented the spiritual nature of the spermatozoa, while also being symbolic of the "magical child" produced as a result of [[sex magic]]. As such, Baphomet represents the Union of Opposites, especially as mystically personified in Chaos and [[Babalon]] combined and biologically manifested with the sperm and egg united in the zygote. | ||
In his ''[[Book of Thoth]]'', Crowley's commentary on the use of his [[Thoth Tarot]] deck, he equated Baphomet as one aspect of [[the Fool]], saying: | |||
<blockquote> | |||
"Von Hammer-Purgstall was certainly right in supposing Baphomet to be a form of the Bull-god, or rather, the Bull-slaying god, Mithras; for Baphomet should be spelt with an 'r' at the end; thus it is clearly a corruption meaning 'Father Mithras.' There is also here a connection with the ass, for it was as an ass-headed god that he became an object of veneration to the Templars. | |||
<br> | |||
The Early [[Christianity|Christians]] also were accused of worshipping an ass or ass-headed god, and this again is connected with the wild ass of the wilderness, the god [[Set]], identified with [[Saturn]] and [[Satan]]. He is the South, as Nuit is the North: the Egyptians had a Desert and an Ocean in those quarters." | |||
</blockquote> | |||
==Legacy== | ==Legacy== | ||
[[File:Baphomet | [[File:Baphomet Statue Salem.jpg|300px|thumb|Occultist [[Travis McHenry]] standing with a Baphomet statue in the Satanic Temple headquarters.]] | ||
Baphomet, as Lévi's illustration suggests, has sometimes been portrayed as a synonym of [[Satan]], [[The Devil]], or a [[demon]]. | Baphomet, as Lévi's illustration suggests, has sometimes been portrayed as a synonym of [[Satan]], [[The Devil]], or a [[demon]]. | ||
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In 2014, The [[Satanic Temple]] commissioned an 8.5 ft (2.6 m) statue of Baphomet to stand alongside a monument of the Ten Commandments at the Oklahoma State Capitol, citing "respect for diversity and religious minorities" as reasons for the monument causing the Oklahoma Supreme Court to declare all religious displays illegal. The Satanic Temple then transported the Baphomet statue to Little Rock, Arkansas, where another 10 Commandments monument had been recently installed; the statue was publicly displayed during a Temple demonstration on 16 August 2018. | In 2014, The [[Satanic Temple]] commissioned an 8.5 ft (2.6 m) statue of Baphomet to stand alongside a monument of the Ten Commandments at the Oklahoma State Capitol, citing "respect for diversity and religious minorities" as reasons for the monument causing the Oklahoma Supreme Court to declare all religious displays illegal. The Satanic Temple then transported the Baphomet statue to Little Rock, Arkansas, where another 10 Commandments monument had been recently installed; the statue was publicly displayed during a Temple demonstration on 16 August 2018. | ||
The 2018 [[ | The [[African diaspora religion|Afro-Brazilian]] religion of [[Quimbanda]] utilizes statues or depictions of Baphomet as part of their reverence for demonic forces. | ||
The 2018 [[tarot]] deck, [[The Demon-Possessed Tarot]], by occultist [[Travis McHenry]] features Baphomet as [[The Magician]] card. In 2025, he created the Baphomet Tarot, a deck devoted entirely to depictions of Baphomet. | |||
==External links== | |||
* [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/travismchenry/the-baphomet-tarot-deck-and-grimoire Baphomet Tarot] | |||
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