In
Egyptian
mythology the
baboon (along with the
ibis)is often seen as the
symbol of
Thoth.
Also known as Tahuti the God of magic, writing and the Moon. In this particular form he mimics the universe around him, hence the phrase "monkey see, monkey do."
Examples of this are to be found in the Papyrus of Ani, or the Book of Going Forth by Day whom some say was written by Thoth.
Many of the Rituals utilized by contemporary practioners of the Western Esoteric Tradition are derived therefrom.