Baphomet by vidyashakti

Carrara/RDS • Historical • posted on Jan 13, 2011

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Description

The idol was described by King Philip the Fair as: "...a man's head with a large beard, which head they kiss and worship at their main provincial chapter, but this not all the brothers know, save only the Grand Master and the old ones." - Philip's instructions to his seneschals In the list of charges drawn up by the Inquisition against the Templars on 12 August 1308, there appears the following: "Item, that in each province the order had idols, namely heads, of which some had three races and some one, and others had a human skull. Item, that they adored these idols or that idol, and especially in their great chapters and assemblies. Item, that they venerated (them). Item, that (they venerated them) as God. Item, that (they venerated them) as their Savior.... Item, that they said that the head could save them. Item, that [it could] make riches. Item, that it made the trees flower. Item, that [it made] the land germinate. Item, that they surrounded or touched each head of the aforesaid idols with small cords, which they wore around themselves next to the shirt or the flesh. Item, that in his reception, the aforesaid small cords or some lengths of them were given to each of the brethren. Item, that they did this in veneration of an idol. Item, that they (the receptors) enjoined them (the postulants) on oath not to reveal the aforesaid to anyone." Corroborated Templar confessions from different preceptories, seem to suggest that this magical head could have been that of John the Baptist.

Comments (20)

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London224

6:54PM | Thu, 13 January 2011

I really like your image here, the lighting and composition.. but I have to say that the scene outside the windows does not seem to match the perspective.

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NetWorthy

7:20PM | Thu, 13 January 2011

A highly entertaining scene and snippet of history. Unfortunately, historians were usually paid by whoever was in power at the moment, so it is unlikely we have heard what really took place. Nicely done!

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