Snoop Dogg’s Baphomet necklace at Paris Olympics fuels outrage

Rapper's 'satanic' necklace gains attention following the controversial Last Supper parody at the opening ceremony.


Pop Culture & Art July 27, 2024
-Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for USOPC

Rapper Snoop Dogg recently carried the Olympic torch through the Parisian suburb of Saint-Denis ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, fulfilling a lifelong dream. 

However, his appearance sparked controversy when users on X, formerly Twitter, noticed a Baphomet necklace in his official Team USA photo. 

The Baphomet symbol, associated with various occult traditions, has historically been linked to the Knights Templar and symbolises the equilibrium of opposites, including elements of good and evil.

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony itself had already ignited backlash, particularly from Christians, due to a performance featuring drag queens in a scene reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper. Critics argued this portrayal was insensitive to a sacred Christian symbol. 

Additionally, a depiction of Marie Antoinette's beheading and Philippe Katerine portraying Dionysus, the God of Wine, further fuelled debate on social media. These performances, intended to showcase diversity and inclusion, were seen by many as disrespectful to religious sentiments.

Snoop Dogg’s involvement in the ceremony, combined with his choice of necklace, added another layer to the controversy. Despite the intended message of diversity and inclusion, the symbolism used has stirred significant backlash, underscoring the challenges of balancing artistic representation with respect for religious beliefs.

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