Things You Never Knew About Satan

#1 The Devil Made Me Do It

Is Satan just something made up by man to blame all of our own atrocities on? While highly controversial, the history of the Devil, or Satan, is very interesting. He is blamed for inciting lust, greed, and the destruction of all mankind, but is it true? When someone commits a murder or does something inexplicable, he is said to be influenced by Satan, or even possessed, because Man simply can not be that destructive on his own. Whether you believe in such a devilish figure or not, some of the facts people believe about his existence are questionable.

#2 How He Got So Many Names

Religious Syncretism is when different religions are merged together because they come to realize that they have some similar beliefs or practices. The various religions from around the globe have given what we call Satan a different name based on their religious origins. Even though they all agreed there was a force fighting against God, they called him by many different names including, The Devil, Lucifer, Mammon, Antichrist, and the Prince of Darkness.

#3 The Red Horned Monster

In much the same manner that we were told Jesus looked many years ago, Satan was given the look of a red, horned, fiery creature with a snake's tongue and pointed ears. The opposite of all that is Heavenly. Nowhere in the bible has Lucifer been described as a red skin pitchfork carrying monstrous looking being. In fact that pitchfork Lucifer was given by us to carry is actually a trident probably given to enhance his wicked look. The trident was popular in Greek mythology, which often leads theologians to believe the depiction of our modern Satan is based on the son of Poseidon's son, Triton, or other mythological gods and creatures from the Greek.

#4 What He Really Looks Like

The modern day Satan never was depicted by artists as a horned monster carrying a pitchfork until the year of paganism which is the 19th century. They wanted to show him as being very scary so they borrowed from the mythological Greek tales to portray something monstrous or evil looking. However, the Bible says that God classified Lucifer as an angel of light and one of the most beautiful angels ever. He was deeply adored by God himself until he wanted to be God himself. The notion that Satan is scary or ugly is a misinterpretation because he is actually supposed to very handsome, and a ray of light.

#5 He Will Buy Your Soul, Maybe

Whether fact or fiction, selling of your soul to the devil actually stems from German folklore. According to legend, Faust, who was a greedy German scholar, was highly successful though very unhappy with his life, so he made a pact with the devil. In exchange for his soul, he would receive unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures. The term 'Faustian' was eventually incorporated in the stories about Satan, and often say that once he has your soul you get the temporary riches and an eternity of agonizing pain.

#6 He Is An Angel

Sorry to disappoint the pitchfork devil looking lovers. Lucifer was actually a high ranking angel in heaven who even had his own angels. This fact is quoted several times throughout the Bible including many passages and scripture.

#7 The Fallen Angel

Satan had resided in the house of the Lord and was even considered to be the morning star. His heart, however, grew with envy and jealousy and wanted to ascend to the thrown of God. He was then was actually booted by the big man himself out of heaven along with his followers of angels. This is where the term 'fallen angel' comes from. It refers to someone who was once highly beloved but has done something unforgivable.

#8 He Walks Among Men

While most religions believe Satan resides in a fiery place known as Hell, it is believed my many religions and cultures that Satan roams the earth in various forms, including in the guise of Man. He is said to be wracking havoc on mankind in the form of one of our very own. His followers and fellow fallen angels are helping him to create destruction in the world we live in. Many believe, however, that he briefly possesses the body of a human and does his dirty deeds then disappears, leaving that person guilty of hideous acts or crimes.

#9 The Upside Down Cross

The cross has since become a symbol of sacrifice and love for all Christians across the globe. It is believed that Jesus, the son of God, was crucified on a cross and it is now representation of the love and sacrifice made for mankind and the world. People believe that the upside down cross represents the opposite of the love and beauty, and is a symbol for Satanism, which is not true. Modern stories and movies, like The Omen, show the upside down cross in a negative manner, but it does not represent evil at all. St Peter was crucified in Rome by order of Emperor Nero who was against religion and specifically, Christianity. He ordered St Peter be crucified, and not wanting to dishonor Jesus, he requested his cross be upside down. The upside down cross represents St Peter and his respect for the sacrifice made by Christ.

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