When and why did the image of Pan, Cernunnos and other horned gods get associated with Satan?

Answer 1

The common medieval depiction of the Devil was that of a goat like face with horns and small beard (a goatee). The Black Mass, a probably-mythological "Satanic mass," was said to involve a black goat, the form in which Satan supposedly manifested himself for worship.

The goat has had a lingering connection with Satanism and pagan religions, even into modern times. The pentagram, a symbol used by both Satanism and Wicca, is said to be shaped like a goat's head. The "Baphomet of Mendes" refers to a satanic goat-like figure from 19th century occultism.

Also - he is said to skip (Talmud Pesachim 112b and Megilla. 11b), in allusion to his appearance in the form of a goat.

The Goat is known through the ancient science of Astrology first developed by the Chaldeans, or as they are commonly known; Babylonians. The Goat symbolizes male fertility, and is known as representing the astrological sign of Capricorn; a combination of both a Goat and and a fish. According to J.E.. Cirlot in his Dictionary of Symbols; this dual aspect refers to the dual tendencies of life towards the abyss ( or water) " or chaos of the beginning of time, and " the heights or mountains " or order and malkuth (the earth - which some believe belongs to satan) as symbolized by the goat aspect.

In fact the very same Babylonians who gave us this symbol of Capricorn and the science of Astrology were the first Temple builders, and the goat for them symbolised the essence of the Temple or Lodge.

Answer 2

It probably emerged during the Middle Ages and the Age of Inquisition when Christian clergy seemed more interested in writing about Satan and demons than about Christianity as a way of bullying people into conversion to Christianity.

Although angelology and demonology (lore, mysticism, and magic about angels and demons) is not a part of traditional Biblical lore, it was a part of Jewish religion--particularly mystical and magical forms of the religion that some scholars say was influenced by Babylonian culture (introduced and incorporated into Jewish belief systems by those groups who were in captivity in Babylon). According to legend, Satan was an angel who led a revolt in heaven and was cast out of it. There is much for metaphorical contemplation in the legend, which i won't digress on here. Later, during the medieval era and the Inquisition, the idea of Satan took on another form and was associated with various horned nature/fertility spirits. Goats were considered inauspicious, maligned animals anyway in Biblical times (from where the term "scape goat" comes). Also forms of other's gods typically are demonized by other cultures. This is seen in cultures worldwide (eg, some beneficent gods of Hinduism are considered to be demons in Tibetan Buddhism).

Although Satanism is a real "religion," medieval Christians probably had more to do with creating it than pagans. It did not exist until medieval Christian theologians and Inquisitors started writing about it and accusing people of practicing it.

Also the pentagram, used in Wicca, Alchemy, Magic, and in Tantric Eastern mysticism does not represent Satan. It represents the 5 senses and sense objects (smelling, tasting, seeing, feeling, hearing/earth, water, fire, air, space) and also represents the "limbs" of a person and numerous other correspondences related to the number 5.

The Babylonian god Ea--who comes down the ages to us as Capricornus--had a fishes tale and body of a goat. It was the most important deity of the Babylonians and symbolized the all-pervading divine power--with the ability range from the depths to the heights of existence. It was associated with the deity Dionysius, which was associated with the deity Pan, etc.

Answer 3

I think this started with the Jews and was then adopted by their Christian cousins. In Jewish dietary laws, they are not supposed to eat meat from an animal with a split hoof (cloven hoof). So probably as time passed and the Christians split off from the Jews this dislike for the goat allowed for it to become a source of evil. In our family it was a good source of goat cheese and goat milk!

Gee I guess that is why our family were all Witches!!!

Answer 4

When Christians were still trying to get many Pagans to convert, they demonized the Pagan gods. They thought that by doing this, many Pagans would be more likely to convert.

Answer 5

To demonize competing religions and keep followers from realizing that their religion comes from other religions. Same reason the words Heathen and Pagan have negative connotations in the English language.

Answer 6

While the Christian missionaries and soldiers were spreading across Europe, they recast a lot of old gods into demonic roles. Pan was one of the images that stuck.

Answer 7

Hello!

Great question!
I don't know extactly, bnut let us think:
Since all Christian churches have accepted this, it was doen before thesplit of the churches.
I suppose this was done by the First synod, called by Emperor Constantine, in the early 4th century.
It is the time that they "created" the "holy" bible, where Satan was invented and his looks were imposed!.

Answer 8

The Catholic Church in the middleages as a smear campaign against pagans to get ppl to convert.

Answer 9

It was propaganda against the pagan gods. Anyone who worshiped something other than Jesus was considered evil, as was their god.

Nasty business, religion.

Answer 10

Probably the Christian dark ages. Satan was the goat, compared to Jesus the Lamb.