Coming from a pagan, thank you for that!
However, although Satanism did "steal" the pentagram, it is now much more well known as "their" symbolism due to popularity, so to speak.
Then again, there is a myriad of Judeo-Christian-Islamic (i.e., any/all monotheistic religions) symbols, beliefs, traditions, holidays, deities, etc., that are pure paganism.... revamped one could say. Sadly, this (and much more, as my summary is exactly that and only a tiny tip of the iceburg) is what gave the word "pagan" such a bad connotation. ![Rolling Eyes :roll: :roll:](/styles/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif)
Baphomet is a name of unestablished origin, but later appeared as a term for a pagan idol in trial transcripts of the Inquisition of the Knights Templar in the early 1300s. However, in the 19th century the name came into popular English-speaking consciousness with the publication of various pseudo-history works that tried to link the Knights Templar with conspiracy theories elaborating on their suppression. The name Baphomet then became associated with a "Sabbatic Goat" image drawn by Eliphas Lévi.
Satan's physical depictions are a vast combination of pagan deities, such as Satyrs (i.e., Pan, the "king" of the Satyrs in Greek mythology) for just one example. I could go on and on and on (I've read shitloads of anthropology, religious history, and the likes; I'm a total bookworm nerd, LOL), but I shouldn't hijack SICC's thread.
What you have said is totally correct, but
sigil of baphomet
while this does resemble a pentagram, its not the same thing.
It really pisses me off when people assume pentagram = satan, which is not correct, and for this very reason I prefer the valknut over the pentagram to symbolize pagan heritage.
pentagram = pagan
sigil of baphomet = satan
I can't help but laugh a little when I see ignorant people (not directed specifically towards you mack, just in general) using these symbols for the wrong reason. If someone really belongs to the church of satan they know the sigil of baphomet is the real symbol for satanism, anyone who is using a pentagram to symbolize some form of anti-christianity/satanism is only attempting to gain attention from the shock value, ignorant of the actual meaning.
Anyways.. SICC: sorry for hijacking your thread.