Baphomet is a unity of opposites. The mysterious figure emerges from the mythology, esotericism, and dramatic history of medieval Europe. The name "Baphomet" goes back in print to the 14th century during the time of the Crusades. The concept is ageless.
The Origins of Baphomet
The Knights Templar, a medieval Christian military order, is disbanded and persecuted in the early 14th century. The Templars are accused of many heretical practices, one of which includes the worship of a mysterious figure Baphomet.
Historians generally agree there is no concrete evidence the Templars ever worship Baphomet. The term is a fabrication or distortion by their accusers. At the time, the Knights Templar control the banks of France and the Holy Land.
Scholars posit the word could be derived from "Mahomet," a medieval variation of the name Muhammad, stressing the hostilities between Christianity and Islam during the Crusades.
Baphomet in the 19th Century: A Symbol of Esotericism
The Baphomet figure of today goes back to traced back to the 19th century. It's seen particularly in the work of French occultist Éliphas Lévi. In his book "Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie," published in 1856, Lévi depicts Baphomet as a winged humanoid goat.
In pre-Christian times the concept of the "Goat of Mendes" arises from the sacred ram sheep of the Egyptians, revered in that city. The ram represents ram-headed potter protector god Banebdjedet.
The ram deity of Mendes is described by Herodotus in his Histories as being represented with the head and fleece of a goat:
"...whereas anyone with a sanctuary of Mendes or who comes from the province of Mendes, will have nothing to do with (sacrificing) goats, but uses sheep as his sacrificial animals..."
In the 19th century the Goat of Mendes concept is revived through travel and archaeological discovery. It's associated with dark stories of ancient Egyptians worshiping demons, and the image it receives is that of Baphomet.
Baphomet embodies both male and female traits, symbolizing the reconciliation of opposites. The illustration of Lévi features various esoteric symbols, including the pentagram, German Drudenfuß, representing its link to magical practices and powers of protection.
The flame above the head of Baphomet symbolizes enlightenment or divinity. Lévi presents Baphomet as a figure of balance and duality. It signifies unity of opposites, light and dark, benevolent and harmful. This deviates from earlier all-demonic connotations.
Baphomet, or at least Levi, is connected to alchemy. The words SOLVE and COAGULA, alchemical processes, appear on its arms. The caduceus of Mercury or Hermes, two snakes on a winged staff is a Hermetic symbol.
The caduceus is usually carried in the left hand of the god. It becomes the symbol for the planet Mercury and metal quicksilver. Mercury/Hermes is the Greco-Roman part of the legendary Hermes Trismegistus.
The crescent moon in Levi's artwork is an Egyptian symbol of fertility especially associated with the moon god Khonsu; or alchemical silver. Dark, light, up, down. Repositioned in the realm of enlightenment and transformation, Baphomet is a potent symbol of occult wisdom.
In Germany of the the 19th century a similar figure is represented as the Devil. The horned creature presides over the revels of witches on Hexennacht (Walpurgisnacht) on the Brocken in the Harz Mountains. The goat in general represents carnal desire, as in the Goat God Pan.
Baphomet in Modern Culture
The adoption of Baphomet by the Church of Satan, founded by Anton LaVey in 1966, smears the gunk of superstition all over the goat deity. The image of Baphomet is often portrayed as a symbol of rebellion against conventional religious dogma.
While Baphomet is often shrouded in misconceptions and stigmatic associations, it embodies a deeper philosophical ideology. As in alchemy and Jungian psychology, the concept refers to duality, balance, acceptance of contrasting elements within existence, fertility and creation.
The figure transcends the dichotomy of "good and evil", embracing duality of the Self, a theme found in alchemical history from the early Alexandrians to the work of Carl Jung.
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