# That old goat **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [June 7, 1999, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-old-goat/104 "1999-06-07T18:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 1999, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-old-goat/104/21 "1999-06-21T13:16:00Z")
Thanks, Dex, for illuminating that for me. I’m still not convinced I’m totally wrong (why doesn’t that surprise you?) but I will take yours (and Cecil’s) word for it, pending more investigation on my part. Anyone know a good Reb in Chicago that will help this goy out? ---
**Author:** ![Tribal\_Lion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@Tribal\_Lion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tribal_Lion)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2002, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-old-goat/104/22 "2002-07-03T09:55:15Z")
Hello all, I just wanted to clarify this for you (I know it’s an old subject, but I actually know the answer to this one). The image of the goat as Satan was actually first created by Eliphas Levi, a 19th century occultist. His actual intent was to illustrate the Baphomet, the pagan image that the Knights Templar were accused (by most accounts, falsely) of worshiping. He was also the first person to illustrate the inverted pentagram as a symbol of Satan (much as the inverted cross is used). If you look at many of the illustrations of the goat-headed devil, you will notice it fits in the inverted pentagram, the Horns being the upper points, the ears being the Horizontal points & the goatee being the lower point (pointing to hell). Since this Baphomet (believed by some to be a corruption of the Moslem prophet “Mahomet” or in English Mohammed, more bunk!) is a “Pagan” diety & fit so well into (what was believed to be) the devil’s pentagram, it’s image was adopted as the image of Lucifer himself. In all actuality, the reality of Satan’s appearance would be much more sinister: “the Devil will appear as an Angel of light.” -II Cor 11:14. Why would someone who is a great deceiver appear as such an obvious atrocity? Anyway, if anyone is interested, here is a web page that describes the Baphomet in a bit more detail: [http://www.templarhistory.com/baphomet.html](http://www.templarhistory.com/baphomet.html). Hope this helps! ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-old-goat/104/23 "2002-07-05T06:12:28Z")
Hi, Tribal\_Lion. This is an old column, predating the “include a link to the column” rule. So I will add a convenient link: [Why is Satan often shown as having goatlike features?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990604a.html) You will note that several of the respondents mention things explicitly stated by Cecil in the column - a prime example of why we have the “link” rule. Welcome. ---
**Author:** ![Tribal\_Lion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@Tribal\_Lion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tribal_Lion)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-old-goat/104/24 "2002-07-05T07:16:35Z")
Oops,that is a good rule to have. :smack: That’s what happens when newbies like me get so excited because they know an answer that they skip the rules & go strait for the gabbing! I will now don my DUNCE hat & retire to the corner to read the rules. BTW, thank you for taking care of thatr for me & setting me strait. It is much appreciated. -TL ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-old-goat/104/25 "2002-07-07T00:06:09Z")
No sweat. Heck, sometimes us oldtimers get so wrapped up we forget, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-old-goat/104.md?page=1)