At all times, people paid special attention to symbolism. And it is not so important whether the conversation is about religion, occultism or ordinary hobbies. And always a special place was occupied by a six-pointed star. The meaning of this symbol cannot be unambiguously determined. In a wide variety of cultures, it is interpreted differently.
In general, since ancient times, the star has been an important symbol, since its image was prompted by nature itself. Man is inevitably drawn to the sky, so it was compared by people with superiority, strength, permanence and protection. Flickering and bright overflows indicated hope, a dream and a miracle, which also positively affected the attitude to the corresponding symbolism. The six-pointed star in different cultures has received its special definition. But one thing is certain: there were no civilizations that would not have paid their attention to it.
Origin of the Star of David
There is no doubt that the star of David belongs to the Jewish culture, since it was first discovered in the 7th century. BC e. in Sidon. The seal on which it belonged belonged to a certain Jew, Yeoshua bin Yeshayau. Then the symbol had no other definitions, its name was: a six-pointed star. A photo of that print has been preserved to this day. Later, the symbol received a different name - "Magendavid", as well as the well-known in modern times - "Star of David". This happened in the early Middle Ages, when the first sources appeared with legends about King David. It was believed that a shield with such a symbol protected the commander and his army in battles, so all of them brought only victory.
Speaking about what the star of David means, one should not miss another version of the origin of the name. It describes how a certain David Alroy, who considered himself the messiah, led an army to Jerusalem to return the city conquered by the crusaders. It was believed that he was a mystic and a sorcerer, moreover, rather vain, and therefore he named the star in his honor.
Since the thirteenth century, the star has become more popular, it appears on the walls of synagogues, on amulets or in books with Kabbalistic texts. Most historians and researchers believe that the symbol at that time was only a decoration; it found its specificity a little later, in 1354. At that time, the Roman emperor granted Jews a special privilege, they became the owners of their own red flag, which was decorated with the star of David. Since then, all references to this symbol are oriented in most cases to Jewish and Jewish cultures.
Understanding the Six-Pointed Star
The six-pointed star symbol is usually depicted in the form of equilateral triangles superimposed so that their vertices look one up and the other down. Also, these figures have one center. In some cultures, the symbol is corrected in accordance with those beliefs that are observed within society. However, most often this image is attributed to Judaism, since the star has the widest distribution only among Jews.
At one time, this symbol intersected in history with the fascist swastika. You can give more than one example where this symbol is viewed in a positive way, but it will not affect the opinion of people, because a large period of time the hexagram went in line with Nazism.
In fact, the most common understanding of a symbol is incorrect. Speaking about what the star of David means, Judaism and its presence in this religion are usually mentioned. Today, Magendavid means freedom, and there is an explanation for this. There are several opinions as to when exactly the hexagram began to personify the Jews, but they all have approximately the same ending.
In the 5-6th century, King David lived , whose nationality was under oppression. On the sidelines in battles with enemies, the Jews often lost because they could not contain the onslaught of the most powerful warrior - Goliath. But David, taking up a shield with the image of a hexagram, still defeated him. As a result, the Jews received freedom from enemy oppression.
Later (in the 13th century), Jews again intersect with the hexagram. Now, for his services to the empire, the Roman emperor Karl favors the nationality with a flag depicting a magendavid, only then it was scarlet (in modern times - blue). And again, getting a star is connected with freedom.
And finally, in the 18th century, Europe, which at that time was a developed region and played an important role in the activities of mankind, takes the six-pointed star as a symbol of the Jewish people. Thus, in this case too, the understanding of the Magendavid is invariably connected with the freedom of the Jews.
How did the star of David appear on the flag of Israel?
If there is a conversation about which flag a six-pointed star is on, Israel is always mentioned. Throughout the history of mankind, some other countries have also appropriated this symbol to their family, however, in fact, it took root in this interpretation only in Judaism. There are several suggestions as to how the hexagram appeared on the flag of Israel.
According to one version, this symbol was borrowed in ancient Egypt. Among the Egyptian pharaohs, Jews were for a long time enslaved until the prophet Moses came and became their liberator. In the occultism of that ancient civilization, the six-pointed star occupied a special position, it was used in the design of signs associated with deities. It is a completely true story, except for the fact that its most common name is "the star of David." And here the name with which they called the symbol does not appear.
Another version is that a certain David was the liberator of the Jewish state, and in his military campaigns for liberation he always came forward, carrying a shield in the shape of a six-pointed star (according to other sources, this symbol was painted on the shield). After the defeat of more powerful troops, outside observers had the impression that it was David’s shield that caused the liberation of the state.
It should be noted that the symbols of Judaism did not immediately begin to include a six-pointed star. It is likely that the Israelites are closer not to the philosophical or religious component of the hexagram, but to the decorative one.
Riddles
The symbol in question is from the 7th century BC. e. excites the minds of historians, occultists and cultural scholars. And all because he appears in many written sources, on cave paintings, seals, coats of arms and other similar elements. This means that almost every civilization that has ever existed on the planet has always shown its interest in this symbol. What is his mystery?
Not a single culturologist has come close to this issue yet; all the new facts connected with the six-pointed star reveal even more unsolved secrets. On the one hand, there is a lot of historical data or information from mythology, where the star of David plays only a positive role. For example, Solomon wore a ring with the seal of the corresponding image. With his help, he called on the spirits who helped him in all good undertakings.
Or the story of David himself, in which he defeats Goliath, not without the help of a shield with an image of a hexagram. Since then, this Jewish military leader has become not only a hero of an entire nation, but also a liberator. Despite the fact that more than one hundred years have passed since that moment, all the Jews still honor the symbol as a protector from demons, carry amulets and talismans with this image.
But there are absolutely opposite stories related to the hexagram. It often appears along with the fascist swastika, so many people have a negative attitude towards it. In fact, her participation in the historical events of that terrible time was very limited. In concentration camps, experiments were carried out on people, and after certain experiments, some were marked. This was done by depicting a yellow hexagram on the subject's forehead. This state of affairs allowed the fascists to distinguish those who were already experimenting with from “pure” people.
Therefore, wherever a six-pointed star appears, its value is always either positive or negative. It occupies a middle ground only as a symbol in some cultures, and that is only because it is not the hexagram as a whole that is considered, but its individual images (for example, the lines of triangles).
Mystic
In magic and occultism, as far as modern history knows, a six-pointed star has always been present. Its significance is great not only for rituals, but also for the creation of amulets, talismans, charms, spell books, and so on. In magic, the three sides of the triangles represented matter, spirit and the middle nature (the same as in science - space). Thus, you can divide the value into three components:
- The mind or consciousness, the element that is responsible for creating energy.
- Matter (middle nature, space). The occultists considered matter as a kind of cosmic substance, which is harmoniously distributed throughout the universe. Therefore, this element was responsible for the safety of everything that ever existed.
- Physical matter. Since it is quite dense, it ceases to transmit the light of the sun, and gradually becomes darkness. Therefore, the element under consideration is responsible for the destruction of energy.
Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that the six-pointed star occupied a special place not only in some religions, but also in magical teachings, which have not lost popularity until today. Thanks to this symbol, any event could be explained. Magical amulets depicting a hexagram revealed to the occultists the future, past and present.
Talismans
At all times, the six-pointed star personified a powerful defense, virtually impenetrable. Therefore, to this day, it is often used in the creation of amulets and charms. Since the Middle Ages, hexagram talismans have been considered powerful defenders against edged weapons, since David defeated Goliath using a shield with her image.
Later amulets acquired additional meanings. It was believed that they protected from fire and a surprise attack from the enemy. Over time, this property has lost its significance, but something else has appeared. Closer to the 16th century, the six-pointed star of David on the talismans was used to protect against evil spirits.
One way or another, any material object has its own energy, which can serve both for evil and for good. However, there are also signs and symbols that are not just time-tested, but have gained the generally accepted status of assistants. This is exactly what Magendavid is, because for millennia he has been interested in all nationalities and cultures.
Why is the six-pointed star in Christianity perceived as a symbol of evil spirits?
The symbol "star of David" in Orthodoxy does not have a very good reputation. The fact is that from ancient times the hexagram was considered a symbol of Judaism - a religion that Christians perceive negatively.
But there is another explanation for the bad attitude towards her. The fact is that in Judaism, the specific meaning of the star is that only 6 days have passed (6 ends of the figure), and the messiah comes on the seventh. In the Christian faith, Jesus was already visiting the earth, so the seventh day has come. In Judaism, it is only expected. Consequently, Christians perceive the symbol as irrelevant.
Symbols of religion, and anyone should be read. Therefore, it cannot be said unequivocally that all Orthodox are negative about the six-pointed star. Moreover, many confessors have even refused to give it the significance of the number of the beast.
Is the six-pointed star evil or good?
Many cultures have never reacted negatively to such a symbol as the star of David. Photos with the image of this figure, described in a negative way, are found only in eschatological interpretations. This religious doctrine compares the symbol with the number of the beast. It has 6 corners, 6 small triangles and 6 sides inside the hexagon.
Indians, namely yoga and tantra, compare the symbol with the human chakra, located at the level of the heart. She is responsible for love, compassion and devotion. The direction of the triangle downward means sky, upward - earth. Accordingly, the six-pointed star is oriented precisely toward the universe in this case. The meaning of the symbol expresses the essence of a person who is constantly torn between spirituality and carnal components.
When the first alchemists appeared, they were also interested in the hexagram, and with its help depicted a philosopher's stone, giving eternal life. Masons compared the symbol with great wisdom, which, in fact, they sought. One way or another, each current compared the six-pointed star with something of its own.
Value in different cultures
The six-pointed star is not only of esoteric or religious significance. Many civilizations used it in various fields only because it looks beautiful. So, for example, since the fourteenth century it has been used as a reward for special merits. Moreover, some modern military units still present the Star of David as a sign of special honor.
But, of course, one cannot exclude the religious or occult component that the six-pointed star possesses. Its significance in the Christian faith cannot be called unequivocal. On the one hand, the Orthodox do not like it, because the figure is 666 in terms of the number of angles, sides and triangles. On the other hand, it was the six-pointed star that indicated the path to the house where Jesus was born. But the generally accepted Orthodox opinion is focused on the fact that the Lord took 6 days to create the world for people, and on the seventh he should come. Therefore, in early Christianity this symbol was more significant than today, because the messiah was already descending to earth.
Oriental cultures also did not refuse this symbol. In Tibet, for example, it means 6 syllables of the most important Buddhist prayer. Hindu culture does not consider the star as a whole, but only its triangles. They represent Kali and Shiva, or the destruction and creation of the world. Thus, Eastern traditions perceive the hexagram as a symbol of balance, the inevitable and constant struggle between good and evil on the planet and / or in one particular person.
In Freemasonry, a magendavid is also found, but members of this society give greater preference to the pentagram - the seal of Solomon. It is believed that Solomon was the son of David, and if you remove any small triangle from the image of the hexagram, you get a five-pointed star. Therefore, Masons are still connected with the Magendavid, but indirectly, venerating him as the father of Solomon, the holder of the ring with a five-pointed star, which he commanded spirits and ghosts.
Theosophical interpretation is focused exclusively on the perfection of the universe, as well as in the occult. Two triangles (2 - the number of women), three faces and angles in each (3 - the number of men) allow us to idealize not only the universe, but also the symbol itself, which explains its high meaning.
The six-pointed star in the circle appeared almost immediately after the usual magendavid. However, it received its greatest distribution only in astrology. So all the signs of the zodiac were depicted within one specific symbol.
In general, it is impossible to say exactly where and when the star of David met in history, since each culture necessarily used it in scriptures, on amulets or in engraving on buildings.
Symbol image in different cultures
Quite often, various symbols of religion, in essence, are the same, but are depicted in different ways. So, for example, Kabbalists draw a hexagram in the form of two triangles in black and white. They personify spirit and matter. And the meaning of individual lines or a hexagon forming in the center is absent.
Even in the culture of Kabbalists, a similar symbol is found - a six-pointed star is drawn in the form of a snake that swallows its tail. The image is inside the circle. In this case, the symbol represents the three deities and the eternity of their rule. Kabbalists in the west cut off the tops of the triangle, and they become like the Egyptian pyramids.
In Jewish culture, the image of the hexagram is ideal, here the triangles look up and down, with one center uniting them. There are no additional shades or intersections, in the aggregate they represent a complete picture. There are also no specific interpretations of individual lines, except that the star of David is a symbol of the Jews. The photo with the image of the Jewish hexagram can be seen on the flag of Israel. By the way, despite the fact that the star originally accompanied the Jewish culture, it became the generally accepted sign of the Jews only in the eighteenth century, before Europe did not consider it as a symbol of one particular state.
Let us summarize the methods for representing the six-pointed star and its meanings in various cultures in the table below.
The use of hexagrams in different cultures| Culture / Religion | How the symbol was portrayed | Value |
| Judaism | Standard image | Symbol of freedom |
| Kabbalah | A snake that bites its tail. The image was placed in a circle | A symbol of the eternal struggle within man between light and darkness, spiritual and material values |
| Eschatology | The beast inside the star | Symbol of Lucifer, number 666 |
| Occultism | Two intertwining triangles | Symbol of the perfect universe |
| Alchemy | Here, first of all, a pentagon formed in the center was considered. He became a symbol of the philosopher's stone | Symbol of immortality |
| Astrology | Hexagram in a circle | Zodiac symbol |
| Early christianity | Standard image | Symbol of the Nativity |
| Freemasonry | Standard image | Symbol of wisdom |
Thus, it is impossible to say exactly what a six-pointed star means. In most cultures, it is a good symbol, personifying deities, feminine or masculine, matter and spirit. But there are also negative interpretations of the hexagram, such as the number of the beast. If you give the most common definition, then the star of David has always been a symbol of freedom, since once upon a time the Roman emperor laid the foundation for the liberation of the Jewish people, giving it its own flag with a magendavid.