The Sigil of Lucifer was first documented in the 16th century (1517) Grimoirium Verum also known as the Grimoire of Truth. The document was allegedly authored as a practical guide to invoking and working with Lucifer, Beelzebuth and Astaroth, and their lesser daemons but it is very much steeped in Judeo-Christian religious dogma and the rituals and invocations should not be trusted from a Satanic or Left Hand Path perspective. However, what did come out of this work is the very powerful Sigil of Lucifer. This sigil has become synonymous with Lucifer for close to half a century but was actually the third sigil of Lucifer noted in the first book of the Grimoirium Verum. This third sigil was the only one that was created on a 9 by 9 (order 9) magic square, which no doubt explains its use and popularity over the first two sigils. Magic squares have been documented to date back as far as 2200 BC, and used to signify everything from the universe and its gods to natural cycles. The order 9 magic square that the Sigil of Lucifer is believed to be created upon represented the number 369. The number 369 would be the sum of all the numbers added together whether the numbers in the magic square were added horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Furthermore, consider the square (grid) of 9 columns, 9 rows deep and the sum of any of them added totaling 369, which when added 3 + 6+ 9 = 18, which further reduced would be 1 + 8 = 9, we can only suspect that there may be some significance. The sigil itself would be drawn on the 9 by 9 square with its lines connecting specific number boxes, and when totaled would also equal 369 or simply the number 9 when reduced to a single digit. The original sigil as directly “lifted” from the magic square and as represented in the Grimoirium Verum is a wavy version of the sigil that had been later re-drawn and cleaned up in the 18th century and is the version that is popular today.

The purpose of the Sigil of Lucifer is that of an instrument of visual invocation during ritual. By performing the appropriate ritual, the sigil acts as a gateway to invoke and bestow the power and presence of Lucifer. Contrary to popular belief, the sigil was never intended or created as an identification symbol or manor crest. However, many modern Satanists use the sigil as an emblem as well as for its original intent, as a very powerful instrument of ritual. Luciferians use this sigil as well but also have their own distinctive version that they use on a more widespread basis.

Over many decades the graphical elements of the sigil have been identified with specific characteristics. The overall sigil appears as a chalice, which represents creation, the fertile darkness awaiting and ready for untold possibilities. It must be pointed out as this sigil is an instrument to invoke Lucifer, that Lucifer is considered to be the bearer of light and wisdom into the darkness (that has been invoked through this sigil). The ‘X” over the sigil indicates the power and realm of the physical plane; its passion and sensuality that drives all entities. The inverted triangle represents water, often referred to as the original “Elixir of Ecstasy” without which physical life could not exist. The “V” at the bottom of the sigil represents the duality of all things; dark and light, male and female and the power of convergence of the two into one manifesting balance, creation and existence.

The Sigil of Lucifer is also known as the Sigillum Luciferi, Sigillum Diabolus, Sigillum Satanas, Sigil of Satan and Seal of Satan.