Example of a Traditional Baphomet representing the harmony and balance between dark and light. The two horns of the goat represent this duality and the lotus flame that burns between them represents the flame that binds and balances the two. The goat represents the physical world and its indulgences. The pentagram on the forehead of the goat represents the elements of earth (Belial), air (Lucifer), fire (Satan), water (Leviathan), and the spirit (The Celebrant). The inverted pentagram on which the goat sits with its two upper points represents individuality and intelligence, the middle two points represent the Adamantine Gates of Hell held open by two opposing yet balanced forces, and the lower point represents the manifestation and power of the physical, and the resolution and singular balance of the opposing forces of existence. The word Baphomet comes from the Greek words 'Baphe' and 'Metis' which when combined mean "Baptism of Wisdom."


Example of a Contemporary Baphomet. This is not the trademarked Church of Satan version. However, all versions share the common element of the appearance of the inverted pentagram with the superimposed head of the Goat of Mendes; the only differentiation being the depiction and detailing of the goat, lettering or symbols around the points of the inverted pentagram and in many versions the absence of a flame or torch between the horns of the goat.

The Baphomet, is a sigil that has been associated with Satanism particularly in the 20th century as a result of its identification by Oswald Wirth in his 1931 “La Franc-Maconnerie Rendue Intelligible a ces Adeptes, Deuxieme Partie: Le Compagnon”; by Maurice Bessy in 1964 in his “A Pictorial History of Magic and the Supernatural” and in 1966 by Anton Szandor LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan when it became an integral sigil of the Church of Satan. The term Baphomet first appeared in 12th century French recorded history chronicling the Roman Catholic Inquisition and the Knights Templar. It must be stated that in the middle ages the Baphomet was a representative idol of a pagan god; not specifically Satan. Over the centuries the term Baphomet has been used to describe a specially prepared skull or animal head for ritual, a statue or graphic depiction of the Goat of Mendes, and in the 19th century a sigil of an inverted pentagram with the head of the Goat of Mendes superimposed over it. It is this 19th century version that is popular amongst Satanists. The Baphomet may or may not have a circular border around it with characters or symbols opposite each point of the pentagram.

The Church of Satan created their own unique trademarked Baphomet, which many Satanists identify with, in the form of pendants, rings and banners. The Church of Satan Baphomet features the head of a goat within an inverted pentagram inside a perimeter of two circles with the word “Leviathan” written between the inner and outer circle in Hebrew. However, you do not have to be a card carrying member of the Church of Satan to wear one. To make matters even more confusing, there are a lot of design knock-offs and original versions that look very close to the Church’s trademarked Baphomet. So don’t automatically think that anyone who wears a Baphomet is a Satanist or even knows what Satanism really is all about. The only sure thing is that the Baphomet is not used by pagans, Wiccans or masons.

Another symbol used mostly by people who call themselves Satanists as a form of rebellion or follow the evil fictional literature definition, particularly literature that detailed Le Messe Noir Satanic of the 15th century is the upside down or reversed cross. In the minds of many the reversed cross is a sign of blasphemy and disrespect against Christianity. However, the symbol known as the cross has mystical origins that date back to around 4700 B.C. and it therefore predates Christianity. Many mystical symbols would be inverted to represent their opposite attribute in the pre- Judeo-Christian period when they were used in the worship of nature, gods and goddesses. Recorded history has documented the use of the cross as an execution device in the Roman Republic around 500 B.C. Centuries before Christ. According to Christian Doctrine when it came time for Peter to be crucified he asked that he be crucified on an upside down (reverse) cross for he considered himself not worthy to be crucified on the same upright cross as Jesus. As a result of Peter's humility, the reverse cross became known as St. Peter's cross and is a symbol of humility, not a true symbol of the Satanist or Satanism. However, inverted crosses are, and have been used in Satanic psychodrama.



My personal choice of a Satanic symbol is a simple silver interwoven inverted pentagram; the one pictured above to be exact. Guess I am old fashioned that way, but I just like its uncomplicated straight line design and general aesthetics. This is the one I wear.

In Satan Speaks! by Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan; provides his own narrative interpretation of the inverted pentagram. I have found that whenever I get asked about the inverted pentagram around my neck, if inquiring minds ask for more details, I provide my own adapted interpretation based on Dr. LaVey’s. I have listed below my adaptation of what the inverted pentagram represents to me.


Lower Point – Excalibur, the Spear of Destiny; the manifestation and power of the physical, the resolution and balance of the opposing forces of existence.

Two Lateral Points – The two opposing forces of existence that open the Adamantine gates of hell.

Two Upper Points – The pouring forth of individuality and intelligence from the depths of Hell (the physical world).

Satanic Jewels (ie. rings, pendants, pins, etc.) are only made in silver as this is the Satanic metal of the earth, the physical and intellectual realms. Gold is never used as the predominant or primary metal in Satanic jewels as it is the metal of heaven and the spiritual realms. It is interesting to note that whether the pentagram be upright or inverse, gold pentagrams are rarely seen. Gemstones associated as having a Satanic influence but not exclusively associated with Satanism are diamond, ruby, amber, jet and black agate with a vein of white.

- IRI