Satan's hooves for feet?

Question

Where did this depiction of satan with cloven hooves originate from? Why hooves?

Answer 1

Beatchanters gives it right. It was after 314 when the Christian had enough power to begin the extermination of the Hellinic religions. Pan who was the half man, half goat god got to become Satan, including his goaty pointy horns, goaty little beard and goaty little hooves. The trident came much later, early Pan/Satan still had the panpipes to tempt maidens into the bushes with.
I am not sure when or why they decided to turn him red.
In the Greek version Pan was concerned with fertility, lust and our carnal nature.

Answer 2

meant that he exist, Who has a instruct that he exist? So if no one can proved why we are able to anticipate that he has hooves for feet? many people over the years been claimed that he exist yet no instruct of it. To me devil isn't human or not something such as animals or flora; and If he exist could be in spirit and therefor he might take any sort as he desire. Sorry that i would be unable that may assist you to this time on the grounds that's an extremely debatable concern I only can inform you what i think of.

Answer 3

Because it's awesome!

Also, it has roots going back through ancient deities like Cerunnos, a Celtic God who was often represented with antlers and cloven hooves - a personification of the forces of nature, he also led the Wild Hunt, which would shriek through the woods at night with packs of vicious dogs barking flames and destroy anyone they came across. He represented the forces of nature, which could be cruel and destructive, as well as nurturing and fertile.

Also, there were mythological antecedents in Greek mythology, through critters like the satyrs, who had goat-legs and libidinous reputations, and of course the god Pan - who in addition to his wanton lechery would also play pipes that drove men mad (it is through this route that we get the modern word pandemonium).

As to why the goat is associated with these things - in the barnyard goats tend to be ornery, hard to control, lecherous beasts who have really, really, really creepy eyes. It's not that hard to imagine why people trying to come up with something creepy and not quite right might choose goat-like features for that representation.

Answer 4

Actualy it comes from the time just after Christianity became an "official" religion of the Roman Empire. Once that happened (with Constantine, who was a Pagan throughout his entire life) the church organization (Bishops, Presbyters, etc) vied for power as violently as the Cult of Isis, and the Mithral War Sect. The Christian's obviously won the political/religious wars for late period Roman souls.
After taking over, Christians took the other Gods, and turned them either into Demons (Pan and his cloven feet), or Saints/Angels. (Bridgit, Madonna-Isis)

Answer 5

Cloven Feet

Answer 6

It's probably related to satyrs, to having horns, to pigs in the dietaty laws and to goats.

Remember the whole sheep from goats thing?

Not to be capricious, but the goats are the ones that DON'T follow the shepard.

Pan is often depicted as a satyr, but not all satyrs are Pan, and not all representations of Pan are as a Satyr.

Answer 7

Satan has hooves? That's kinda cool.

Answer 8

Satan is often associated with the goat, and goats have cloven hooves, so there you go.

Answer 9

hooves come from Pan, as jonjon said. And the horns came from Cernunos, the Celtic god

Answer 10

Apparently God wanted hooves as well as sin to exist, when he created Satan.