The Seal of Satan is also called the Sigil of Lucifer or the Sigil of Baphomet, and it's the official emblem of the Church of Satan. The Sigil was first discovered in Italy before the 1800s. It's found in the Grimorium Verum which Joseph H. Peterson wrote and published in 1817.
History and Meaning of the Sigil of Baphomet
The Sigil of Baphomet is an inverted pentacle with a goat’s head. The word baphomet comes from the Greek terms baphe and metis, meaning absorption of knowledge. The symbol became popular after being published in The Satanic Bible.
The Sigil of Baphomet is also called Judas Goat, Black Goat, Goat of Mendes, Devil’s Goat, and Goat Head. The symbols of demons, devils, and goats have long been associated with Satanism. An inverted cross or crucifix was initially used in Christian parody art.
Satanism is a relatively modern religion and has three forms. Anton Lavey founded the first form. It’s called LaVeyan Satanism or Atheistic Satanism. Satan is a metaphor for qualities the majority Christian public wants to oppress. The symbol represented power, independence, and rebellion.
Another version is the Temple Satanism, founded by Lucien Greaves. He created the foundation of Temple Satanism by establishing the Satanic Temple in 2013. However, this branch’s followers don’t participate in rituals. Instead, they’re more politically active.
The third version is Spiritual Satanism, where Satan is worshipped as God. They use a symbol associated with Lucifer dating back to the 1400s. According to Christianity, Lucifer is a fallen angel of God damned for eternity in Hell for questioning God.
The Church of Satan belonged to LaVeyan Satanism and was established in San Francisco in 1966. The institution had been in the spotlight over the years, making its symbol, the Sigil of Baphomet, equally popular with the public through print material, television, movies, and more.
Sigil of Lucifer vs. Sigil of Baphomet vs. Seal of Satan
The Sigil of Lucifer is also called the Seal of Satan. The symbol has an inverted triangle with an X on it. It looks like a chalice with the letter V at the bottom, which represents dualities.
The Sigil of Baphomet contains a goat head with horns and an inverted pentacle. In elaborate drawings, it has a man with a woman’s breasts, representing dual energy, a goat head, two horns, and two large wings at the back.
The Seal of Satan, also known as the Leviathan Cross or Satan’s Cross, is represented by an infinity symbol with a double cross resting on its center.
Use of the Seal of Satan Today
The Seal of Satan is used to communicate with Lucifer in Satanic rituals. Followers use the symbol to call Lucifer/Satan to the earthy plane in a supernatural form. Lucifer is important to Satanists or Luciferians. They consider him the serpent that lured Eve to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. This is why the Sigil of Satan is a sign of knowledge and wisdom.
The name Lucifer means light-bringer in Latin. Some people use the Seal of Satan as a representation of light or enlightenment by learning from the tree of knowledge. The symbol is most prominently used in the occult and satanic practices or rituals.
Seal of Satan in Tarot
The Devil card in tarot represents the Seal of Satan. The Devil is a major arcana card associated with the number 15 and the Capricorn sun sign. It symbolizes addiction, restriction, obsession, cheating, mental health issues, and toxic cycles in the upright position. When reversed, it indicates detachment, breaking free from patterns, and gaining independence.
The devil is also a shadow card, calculated based on a person’s date of birth.
Is the Seal of Satan Used in Wicca?
No, the Seal of Satan is not used in Wicca. It’s a common misconception that Wicca is about worshipping Satan or invoking the devil. Wicca has its roots in pagan religions. Wiccans and pagans are nature worshippers and don’t believe in Satan. The concept of Satan and evil comes from Judeo-Christian theology.
Witches and Wiccans have pagan gods who symbolize various forces of nature. Wicca practitioners or pagans don’t use the seal of Satan.
Other Satanic Symbols
Satanic symbols are those used in black magic, occult, and other rituals conducted by Satanists.
- The Black Sun
- Unicursal Hexagram
- Ouroboros
- Magic Circle
- Monas Hieroglyphica
- Eye of Providence
- Circled Dot
- The Sigil of Baphomet
Other symbols like the arrow, evil eye, ankh, Chaos, etc., are not satanic symbols, though some practitioners use them as occult symbols.
Are Pentagrams Satanic Symbols?
No. Traditionally, pentagrams belong to pagans and Wiccans. The symbol is a five-pointed star associated with nature’s elements, such as earth, air, water, fire, and spirit. The logo represents the unity of nature and the connection between the natural and spiritual worlds.
Some Satanists use the pentagram in their rituals, but it is not a Sanatic symbol. The misconception also comes from Christians who consider all non-Christian symbols as Satanic.
Are Pentacles Satanic Symbols?
No. Pentacles are also a pagan symbol representing nature, balance, unity, and harmony. However, Satanists started using the inverted Pentacle in their black magic practices. This started with Eliphas Levi in 1855. Years later, the Church of Satan used the same inverted Pentacle as one of its symbols. This resulted in the Pentacle being called an evil symbol. The Pentacle is not a satanic symbol.
Some people get the Sigil of Satan tattooed on their bodies. This could be associated with Satanism or rebellion against the Christian majority.