Baphomet (folklore)

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Baphomet is a demonic figure that appears in occult and folkloric traditions - although often confused with Satan, this entity is technically a different demon altogether and is widely believed to be an invention of medieval scholars: however their attempts to demonize him may of worked a little too well as Baphomet has been adopted by a few societies of the Left-Hand Path as a patron figure.

History

Baphomet is, according to legend, a goat-headed fertility-spirit (or demon) that was worshipped by practitioners of the occult - although there was little evidence of this actually occuring until later in history: he was also supposedly the secret benefactor of the Knight Templars during the height of the persecution against the Order (which was later renounced by the Catholic Church as unjust and the order was cleared of all wrongdoing).Despite this, Baphomet became popular amongst those who opposed orthodox religion or order and became a patron of many different Left-Hand faiths, amongst them theistic Satanism - he was seen as either a symbol or a literal being depending on the beliefs of the cult and could vary in function.Baphomet's image is seen on some Tarot Cards, once again confused with Satan - in the 1980s the mass hysteria of Satanic child abuse spread rumors that cults worshipping Baphomet were involved in ritualistic child abuse and global conspiracy, it is worth noting, however these claims were never supported by solid evidence and are largely considered false by those outside the conspiracy theory mentality.In some branches of demonology, Baphomet is seen as a high-ranking ruler of Hell and one of Satan's many henchmen - this may go some way into explaining why the two demons often seem to share the same qualities.