Who Is the Demon Baphomet and What Does It Represent?

Baphomet is a complicated figure best known as a key symbol in Western occultism and other esoteric traditions. Although it is sometimes grouped with Christian demons because of its links to the Knights Templar and modern Satanism, Baphomet is not found in the Ars Goetia. As a result, it does not have a set number or rank among the 72 spirits in the Solomonic tradition.

Baphomet is most often shown as the Sabbatic Goat, a winged, androgynous figure with a goat’s head, first drawn by Éliphas Lévi in the 1800s. The name first appeared during the Templar trials as the supposed idol they worshipped. Still, modern scholars think it was actually a mispronunciation of “Mahomet.”

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Key Takeaways

Attribute	Details
Names	Baphomet, Baphometus, The Sabbatic Goat, Goat of Mendes, Goat of Mary
Title	The Hieroglyphic Figure of Arcane Science, Symbol of the Absolute
Gender	Androgynous (possesses both male and female physical characteristics)
Role	Idolatrous focal point, representer of dualism, symbol of the equilibrium of opposites
Rank	Unranked in traditional hierarchies; viewed as a symbolic deity or high-level egregore
Hierarchy	None specified; functions independently of the 72 Goetic spirits
Legions	None
Powers	Induces heresy, facilitates the union of opposites, represents carnal knowledge
Associated Figures	Jacques de Molay, Éliphas Lévi, Aleister Crowley, Anton LaVey
Weaknesses	Exposure of truth, rejection of dualism, traditional Christian exorcism rites
Opposing Angel/Saint	St. Michael the Archangel, St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Pantheon	Occult/Western Esoteric (with roots in medieval Christian accusations)
Primary Sources	Trial of the Templars (1307), Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie, The Satanic Bible

Who or What is Baphomet?

Baphomet is a mysterious figure that connects medieval legends with modern occult beliefs. In the 1300s, the Inquisition described Baphomet as an idol, sometimes a severed head, a cat, or a three-faced being, said to be worshipped by the Knights Templar during secret rituals. These claims led to the end of the Templar order and the execution of its leaders.

In the 1800s, French occultist Éliphas Lévi gave Baphomet a new look by combining different mystical symbols into the famous “Sabbatic Goat.” This image was meant to show the balance of opposites, like light and dark or male and female. Today, Baphomet is the main symbol of the Church of Satan, standing for physical desires and rejecting spiritual hypocrisy.

“Baphomet” Meaning

The origin of the name “Baphomet” has been debated for centuries, with several theories about where it comes from. The first known use of the word was in a letter from a crusader named Anselm of Ribemont in 1098, who wrote about the Siege of Antioch and said the enemies called on “Baphomet.”

Most historians think this was a medieval Old French mispronunciation of Mahomet, the Latin name for the Prophet Muhammad. During the Crusades, European Christians wrongly believed Muslims worshipped idols, so “Baphomet” became a general term for a so-called “infidel” god.

Another idea came from Hugh J. Schonfield, a scholar of the Dead Sea Scrolls. He used the Atbash cipher, a Hebrew code, on the name Baphomet (written in Hebrew letters). When decoded, it spells the Greek word Sophia, meaning “wisdom.” This suggests the Templars might have used the name as a secret way to refer to Gnostic wisdom.

Some occultists, like Aleister Crowley, believed the name originated from the Greek phrase Baph-Metis, meaning “baptism of wisdom.” Another popular theory says it is short for a Latin phrase meaning “the father of the temple of peace of all men.” Still, most historians agree that the name started as a mispronunciation of an Islamic name.

How to Pronounce “Baphomet” in English

In English, Baphomet is usually pronounced as BAF-oh-met. The first part, “BAF,” rhymes with “laugh,” the middle is a short “oh,” and the last part, “met,” rhymes with “set.” The stress is on the first syllable.

Some people might say the “f” more softly or change the last vowel a bit, but BAF-oh-met is the most common way to say it.

What Does Baphomet Look Like?

Baphomet’s appearance has changed a lot over time. During the Knights Templar trials from 1307 to 1314, witnesses gave different descriptions. Some said it was a life-sized severed head covered in silver or gold; others described a wooden head with two or three faces, or even a black cat. No one mentioned a goat-headed figure at that time.

The modern look of Baphomet was created by Éliphas Lévi in his 1854 book Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie. Lévi’s version is a winged, human-like goat. It has a goat’s head with a torch between its horns to show spiritual enlightenment. The figure has female breasts and a phallus, which is shown as the caduceus of Hermes, a rod with two snakes wrapped around it.

One arm of the figure points up toward a white moon labeled “Solve,” and the other points down to a black moon labeled “Coagula.” These Latin words refer to the alchemical ideas of breaking apart and joining together. Baphomet has cloven feet and sits on a cube or globe, showing its power over the earth.

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Origins

Baphomet’s history can be split into different periods. It started as a political tool used by the medieval Church. It later became a symbol of philosophy during the Enlightenment and after.

The Templar Accusations

Baphomet first became widely known in the early 1300s. King Philip IV of France, who owed money to the Knights Templar, had them arrested on October 13, 1307. One of the accusations was that they worshipped an idol called Baphomet.

The Inquisition forced confessions from the knights, who said they spat on the cross and honored a strange head. Most historians now think these confessions were fabricated to seize the Templars’ wealth.

The Occult Revival

After the Templars were disbanded, Baphomet mostly disappeared from history until the 1800s, when occultism became popular again in France. Éliphas Lévi gave the name new meaning, linking it to the “Goat of Mendes” and ancient Egyptian gods.

Lévi saw Baphomet not as a demon, but as a symbol of everything in the universe. He tried to combine all mystical ideas into his drawing of the Sabbatic Goat.

The Satanic Interpretation

In the 1900s, Aleister Crowley used Baphomet in the Gnostic Mass and the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.).

Then, in 1966, Anton LaVey started the Church of Satan and chose the Sigil of Baphomet—an upside-down pentagram with a goat’s head—as its main symbol. This change made Baphomet a key symbol of modern Satanism rather than just a symbol of balance.

Was Baphomet Ever Mentioned in the Bible?

Baphomet is not found in the Bible. The name does not appear in the Old or New Testaments or in the Apocrypha. Baphomet was created after biblical times, based on medieval events and later mystical ideas. The Bible does mention “goat demons” (Se’irim) in Leviticus 17:7 and Isaiah 13:21, but these are not the same as Baphomet.

Baphomet in Grimoires and Other Texts

Baphomet is not mentioned in classic grimoires like the Lesser Key of Solomon or the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum. Instead, it shows up in trial records, books on occultism from the 1800s, and modern Satanic writings.

Source	Quote
Trial of the Templars (1307)	…the said brothers worshipped a certain head, which they said was their God and their Baphomet.
Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie	The goat which is represented in our frontispiece bears upon its forehead the sign of the pentagram with one point in the sky as a symbol of light…
The Satanic Bible	The symbol of Baphomet was used by the Knights Templar to represent Satan. Through the ages this symbol has been called by many different names.

Powers and Abilities

The powers linked to Baphomet are mostly symbolic and philosophical, not magical abilities like those of Goetic demons. In mystical traditions, Baphomet is seen as a channel for the “Astral Light” or the “Universal Agent.”

Baphomet’s power comes from bringing opposites together. By showing both light and dark, male and female, and human and animal traits, Baphomet is said to help people see the “Absolute.”

In Christianity, this is not seen as a good thing; it is considered the worst kind of pride and heresy, since it suggests someone can become like God or gain total knowledge by joining forbidden forces.

Baphomet is also linked to the loss of faith. In history, its image was used to explain why the Knights Templar supposedly fell from grace, hinting that it could cause “secret apostasy.” In modern occultism, Baphomet is seen as a symbol of giving in to physical desires and breaking free from traditional moral rules, letting people explore their basic instincts.

Baphomet Myths, Legends, and Stories

The Idolatry of the Knights Templar

Inquisition records from 1307 say the Knights Templar were accused of holding secret meetings at night.

During these gatherings, a “head” was brought in. The knights were said to bow before this Baphomet, worshipping it as their savior and the source of their wealth. Some witnesses even claimed the head could make trees bloom and land fertile.

One knight, Jean Cassanhas, said the idol was a bearded head, and he was told to “adore and trust” it. These stories were the main evidence the Church used to execute the Templar leaders.

The Vision of Éliphas Lévi

In the 1800s, Éliphas Lévi claimed to have found the true meaning of the Templar idol. He believed “Baphomet” was not an actual head, but a symbol for the Great Magical Agent. Lévi’s story was that this figure held the Templars’ greatest secret: knowing how to control the Astral Light.

He also connected Baphomet to the “Goat of Mendes” from ancient Egypt, suggesting it was part of an old tradition of worshipping the “Great Pan.”

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The Taxil Hoax

In the 1890s, journalist Léo Taxil carried out a big hoax against the Catholic Church and Freemasons. Taxil said that Freemasons secretly worshipped Baphomet in special lodges. He wrote dramatic stories about a high priestess named Diana Vaughan, who supposedly witnessed “Baphometic” rituals in which the demon appeared in smoke.

Taxil later admitted he made up the whole story to mock the Church’s willingness to believe it. Still, the idea of Baphomet as a “Masonic god” is believed by some conspiracy theorists even today.

Baphomet vs Other Christian Demons

Demon Name	Associated Sin/Temptation	Rank/Origin	Key Traits/Powers
Lucifer	Pride	Fallen Seraph	Intellectual pride; light-bringer.
Mammon	Greed	Prince of Hell	Wealth and material obsession.
Asmodeus	Lust	King (Ars Goetia)	Breaks marriages; induces lust.
Beelzebub	Gluttony	Prince/Lord of Flies	False gods; pestilence.
Leviathan	Envy	Sea Monster/Prince	Chaos; deception.
Belphegor	Sloth	Prince of Hell	Lazy inventions; discovery.
Satan	Wrath	Adversary	War; opposition to God.
Belial	Lawlessness	King (Ars Goetia)	Worthlessness; lying.
Astaroth	Vanity	Grand Duke	Grants knowledge of past/future.
Pazuzu	Plague	Assyro-Babylonian	Winds; famine; locusts.
Moloch	Child Sacrifice	Canaanite God	Fire; destruction of innocence.
Azazel	Corruption	Watcher (Enoch)	Weaponry; cosmetics; sin.
Abaddon	Destruction	Angel of Abyss	Commands locust army.
Mephistopheles	Deceit	Germanic Folklore	Soul-binding contracts.
Lilith	Rebellion	Jewish Myth	Night demon; child-stealer.

Rank in the Hierarchy of Hell

Since Baphomet was added to demon lore later on, it does not have an official place in the rankings made by Weyer or Binsfeld. In modern Satanism, though, Baphomet is often seen as a top deity, similar to the Princes of Hell.

In 19th-century occult systems, Baphomet is called the “Governor of the Astral Plane.” It is not a rival to Lucifer, but is seen as his earthly form or “shadow.” In these beliefs, Baphomet is served by various “elementals” and minor earth spirits, acting as a leader for those who seek material power rather than spiritual salvation.

Mystical Correspondences

Attribute	Details
Planet	Saturn
Zodiac Sign	Capricorn
Element	Earth
Direction	North (or Center)
Color	Black
Number	15 (The Devil in Tarot)
Crystal/Mineral	Black Onyx, Obsidian
Metal	Lead
Herb/Plant	Hemlock, Nightshade
Animal	Goat, Serpent

Baphomet’s link to Saturn shows its role as a symbol of limits, time, and the physical world. Saturn stands for “restriction,” and Baphomet represents the “prison” of the body. This connection shows Baphomet as a guardian between the physical and spiritual worlds. Its tie to Capricorn, the goat-fish, matches its mixed, goat-headed appearance.

Baphomet is connected to the earth element, showing its grounded and physical side. Unlike air or fire demons, which stand for quick passions, Baphomet stands for the lasting, heavy reality of the material world.

The color black means the “massa confusa,” or the chaotic void where everything begins. The number 15 links Baphomet to the “Devil” card in Tarot, which usually shows a Baphomet-like figure chaining two people.

Baphomet’s Sigil

The Sigil of Baphomet is probably the most well-known symbol in modern occultism. It is an upside-down pentagram with two points up, showing a goat’s head inside. The top points are the goat’s horns, the side points are the ears, and the bottom point is the beard.

This symbol matters because it shows matter winning over spirit. A regular pentagram (one point up) stands for humans or the spirit ruling over the elements.

Turning it upside down means that physical and animal desires are more important than spiritual goals. In the past, people used this symbol in rituals to get what they wanted in the material world.

Summoning and Rituals

In history, people have spoken of summoning Baphomet during the Templar heresy and later in the 1800s during “Black Mass” rituals. These ceremonies were said to take place secretly underground to avoid detection by the Church. The goal was often to get forbidden knowledge or to gain success in the world by making a deal with the “Prince of this World.”

Books like the Grimoire of Honorius or fake Palladian documents say that to call on Baphomet, you needed to burn special incense like sulfur and musk and draw the sigil on the floor.

Witches and warlocks were said to honor Baphomet by kissing its backside (the Osculum Infame), a common theme in medieval tales of the Witches’ Sabbath. These rituals were not meant to control the demon, like in Solomonic magic, but to connect the person with its energy.

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Frequently Asked Questions