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Eliphas Levi's Baphomet - The Goat of Mendes

Deciphering A Ninetheenth Century Occult Symbol


The Demon as the embodiment of a dualistic world. Drawing by Eliphas Lévi
Scan aus: Hans Biedermann –- Dämonen, Geister, dunkle Götter, Graz: Leopold Stocker Verlag 1989, Lizenz für Gondrom Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, Bindlach 1993 S. 45 ISBN 3-8112-1008-4/Public Domain

The image of Baphomet was originally created in 1854 by occultist Eliphas Levi for his book Dogme et Rituel de la Haute Magie ("Dogmas and Rituals of High Magic"). It reflects a number of principles considered fundamental to occultists, and was influenced by Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and alchemy, among other sources.

History of The Name

The term Baphomet is almost assuredly a corruption of the name Muhammad, the last prophet of Islam. The term gained notoriety during the trials of the Knights Templar in the 14th century, when the Templars were accused of, among other things, worshiping an idol called Baphomet. Many of the accusations against the Templars were clearly false, and so many assume this charge was likewise invented by a king trying to get rid of a rich Order to which he was indebted.

Meaning of Levi’s Baphomet

Levi’s illustration has nothing to do with Islam, although tales of the secret knowledge of the Templars might have inspired him to adopt the name of their supposed god.

Levi himself described the meaning of the symbol thusly in Dogme et Rituel:


The idea of polarity, such as dividing the world into male and female energies, was a central concept within nineteenth century occultism. This influence is obvious in Levi’s Baphomet in several places:

  • The gesture of one hand pointing up while the other hand points down, expressing the Hermetic concept “As above, so below,” reflecting how different levels of existence influence on another, whether those levels be intellectual vs. physical, spiritual world vs. material world, or microcosm vs. macrocosm.
  • Chesed and Geburah, which are two Sephirot on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, which maps out aspects of existence. They are on opposite sides of the tree, which are commonly understood to be male and female, severity and mercy. Chesed represents kindness and love, while Geburah presents power, strength and judgment.
  • The Latin terms solve and coagula written upon Baphomet’s arms, which translate to dissolve and coagulate, which are opposing alchemical processes.
  • Multiple physical examples of Baphomet being both male and female (i.e. breasts and phallus; one male arm, one female arm).
  • The caduceus-like image replacing the phallus, in which the two snakes frequently represent male and female.

Elemental Forces
Baphomet also represents the unity of the four Platonic elements, earth, water, air and fire. Air and water are the easiest to identify through the fish scales (water) and symbolic semi-circle of atmosphere (air). Baphomet’s feet are planted on the sphere of the earth, while fire burns from his crown.

Fertility and Life
The choice of goat-like features for Baphomet comes from several connections between goats and fertility. Levi himself called the figure Baphomet of Mendes, comparing him to a what he believed was a goat-headed Egyptian god honored for fertility purposes. Pan, a Greek god with goat features, was likewise commonly associated with fertility in the nineteenth century.

In addition, Baphomet’s phallus has been replaced with a caduceus, which is considered b some to be a symbol of fertility. Certainly the phallic emphasis can only encourage notions of fertility.

Other References in Levi’s Explanation
Levi’s mention of Khunrath refers to sixteenth century occultist Henrich Khunrath, an Hermetic and alchemist whose works influenced Levi.

Levi describes Baphomet as the sphinx of the occult sciences. A sphinx is most commonly a creature with the body of a lion and the head of human. They originated in Egypt, where they were probably connected with guardianship, among other things. By Levi’s time, the Freemasons were also using sphinxes as symbols of guardians of secrets and mysteries.

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