Few images are so at the core of philosophical and theological debate
as the figure of Baphomet. Baphomet did not appear in manuscripts or
writing until the 12th century, and thereafter the name and image has
been a subject of debate and controversy almost wherever it appears.
Here Baphomet is depicted as the Sabbatic Goat, as first illustrated by
Eliphas Levi in 1854 within his work "Dogmas and Rituals of High Magic.
As such, Baphomet appears as a winged humanoid goat with a pair of
breasts and a torch burning between its horns, behind a pentagram
marking his brow. The whole of the symbolism is described by Eliphas as:
The goat on the frontispiece carries the sing of the pentagram on the
forehead, with one point at the top, a symbol of light, his two hands
forming the sign of hermetism, the one pointing up to the white moon of
Chesed, the other pointing down to the black one of Geburah. This sign
expresses the perfect harmony of mercy with justice. His one arm is
female, the other male like the ones of the adrogyn 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
solely responsible part has to bear the punishment exclusively; because
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 flowing above the volatile.
Humanity is represented by the two breasts and the androgyn arms of this
sphinx of the occult sciences."
As a figure of great occult symbolism, Baphomet was embraced by
Aleister Crowley in Thelema, as a representation of arcane perfection.
Similarly, many modern Satanists also took up the symbol as a portrayal
of Satan, or a demon. Whatever you choose to believe in its
representation, this gold-tone statue of Baphomet is a fantastic piece
for the magical altar. Sculpted from plaster with impressive attention
to detail, it stands approximately 12" tall and 7 1/2" wide at its
widest point.