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Learn about the role of goats in Christianity & Judaism
Besides the inverted pentagram (an upside-down star), the goat stands as one of the key symbols tied to satanism. This association largely arises from its occult connections, such as the goat-headed figure of the occult god Baphomet, while other satanic links are drawn from Christian and Jewish scriptures. We'll dive deeper into both the negative and positive meanings attached to goats to give you a complete understanding.
Essential Information
- Baphomet, a deity in occult traditions, is depicted as both goat and human. It has become a central symbol for the modern Church of Satan.
- In ancient Jewish customs, a goat was chosen to represent the collective sins of the people. This goat was then sent away into the wilderness.
- In the New Testament, Jesus uses goats as a metaphor for the unfaithful.
Process
Why are goats linked to Satan?
The infamous occult deity Baphomet has a goat-like appearance. The concept of Baphomet, a pagan idol, has been around since the Middle Ages when Templar Knights (religious knights who took part in the Crusades) were said to have worshipped this deity. In the 1800s, occultist Éliphas Lévi created the iconic part-goat, part-human figure of Baphomet, a design later adopted by the Church of Satan in modern times.
- In 2014, the Church of Satan commissioned the creation of a large Baphomet statue, which was completed and unveiled in 2015. This statue has since been used by Satanists as a tool to advocate for the separation of church and state in the United States.
Goats have long been connected with witchcraft. In the 1400s, witchcraft began to appear in certain works of art—some depictions featured women riding goats, sitting backwards and naked. In the early 1800s, Spanish painter Francisco de Goya y Lucientes captured this theme in his work “Witches’ Sabbath, or the Great He-Goat,” showing witches gathered around a black goat in dark robes. In this artwork, the goat represents the Devil.
- Contemporary artwork continues to reinforce the association between goats and witchcraft, often portraying goats as representations of Satan. A notable example is the 2016 film The Witch, which tells a fictional story about witchcraft in 1630s America, where a black goat named “Black Phillip” is revealed to be the Devil.
The Greek god Pan (part-goat, part-human) was branded as the Devil by early Christians. In the early days of Christianity, missionaries identified Pan, the wild half-goat (satyr) god, as a demon. Pan and the satyrs in Greek mythology were considered incubi and succubi (sexual demons), and Pan’s unattractive features were seen as divine punishment. Eusebius of Caesarea, an early Christian historian, eventually declared Pan to be another name for Satan.
- Given Pan’s goat-like form and the Christian label of him as the Devil, it’s understandable that goats (and goat-like traits) became strongly linked to Satan and satanism.
Goats symbolized sin during the Yom Kippur ritual. Yom Kippur, known as the “Day of Atonement,” is a significant Jewish holiday centered on fasting, repentance, and prayer. The Torah describes a Yom Kippur ritual involving two goats—one was sacrificed, while the other represented the community’s sins and was cast into the desert. This ritual has led to goats being symbolically linked with sin and evil, similar to their association with satanism.
- In 1530, William Tyndale, in his translation of the Hebrew Bible, referred to the second goat as an “escapegoat.” This term later evolved into “scapegoat,” meaning someone who takes the blame for another.
- Leviticus 16:8 recounts the ritual: “And Aaron shall cast lots on the two goats; one lot for YHWH (God) and the other lot for Azazel.” The goat for Azazel is the one sent into the wilderness. The text does not specify whether Azazel represents a deity or demon.
- Some translations of the Torah suggest the Azazel goat was thrown off a cliff instead of being released into the wild.
In the New Testament, Jesus compares goats to unfaithful souls. In Matthew 25:31-33, Jesus shares a parable that describes the events of His return (commonly referred to as 'judgment day'). He says, 'All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.' In this allegory, the sheep symbolize the faithful, while the goats symbolize those who are unfaithful.
Goats are associated with sinful traits such as lust and gluttony. Male goats engage in a rather unpleasant behavior, urinating on their chest and legs to attract female goats. In terms of gluttony, goats are notorious for their excessive appetites, eagerly eating almost anything. These negative behaviors contribute to the association of goats with sinful or devilish qualities.
Positive Symbolism of Goats
Goats are considered kosher and halal in Jewish and Muslim cultures. Despite their occasional religious criticism, goats are still seen as acceptable for consumption in both Jewish (kosher) and Muslim (halal) traditions. The Torah specifically permits the consumption of goat meat, while the Quran primarily forbids the 'flesh of swine' as unclean.
Goat hair was used to cover the Ark of the Covenant in the Bible. The Ark of the Covenant was an important religious artifact in early Judaism, resembling a golden box that represented God's presence among the Jewish people. According to the Torah and Old Testament, goat hair was used to make the covering for the Ark. This suggests that goats were considered holy enough to be used in such a significant religious context.
Some medieval texts drew parallels between goats and Christ. In a certain bestiary (a medieval manuscript exploring animals), the writer draws a connection between a goat’s fondness for high places and Jesus's affinity for holy figures such as prophets, patriarchs, and angels. Additionally, the text highlights how goats graze in valleys to sustain themselves, likening this to Jesus finding nourishment in humanity’s virtuous actions, with the church symbolizing the valley.
- The author also remarks on the remarkable vision of goats, suggesting it mirrors God’s omniscient nature and wisdom.
Goats symbolize joy, playfulness, and youthful spirit. Despite the negative associations often linked to goats, there’s much to appreciate about their naturally lively and carefree temperament. These animals are known for their playful antics and carefree spirit—many would argue that goats embody a free-spirited, joyful, and innocent essence.
