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From the Holocaust to the Israeli flag, what is the deeper meaning of this six-pointed Jewish symbol?
In modern times, the Star of David has become a premier Jewish symbol. This six-pointed star (hexagram), made of two interlocking triangles, can be found on mezuzahs, menorahs, tallit bags and kippahs. Ambulances in Israel bear the sign of the red Star of David, and the flag of Israel has a blue Star of David planted squarely in the center.
What is the origin of this six-pointed symbol and its deeper meaning?
The Star of David appeared thousands of years ago in the cultures of the East. It was also a popular symbol in pagan traditions, and used as a decorative device in first-century churches and even in Muslim culture.
The Star of David isn’t referred to in the Bible or the Talmud. The symbol was first adopted by Jews in the mid-14th century, when the Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV granted the Jews of Prague the right to carry a flag. They chose the six-pointed star.
There are numerous suggested meanings. One central idea is that the six points of the Star of David symbolize God's rule over the universe in all six directions: north, south, east, west, up and down.
Originally, the Hebrew name Magen David ― literally "Shield of David" ― poetically referred to God. It acknowledges that King David, a military hero, didn’t win by his own might, but by the support of God.
The hexagram in Islam, photo: Vikramjit Singh Rooprai
Another idea is that a six-pointed star receives form and substance from its solid center. This inner core represents the spiritual dimension, surrounded by the six universal directions. (A similar idea applies to Shabbat ― the seventh day which gives balance and perspective to the six weekdays.)
In Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, the two triangles represent the dichotomies inherent in a human being: good vs. evil, spiritual vs. physical, etc. The two triangles may also represent the reciprocal relationship between the Jewish people and God. The triangle pointing "up" symbolizes our good deeds which go up to heaven, and then activate a flow of goodness back down to the world, symbolized by the triangle pointing down.
Some note that the Star of David is a complicated interlocking figure which has not six (hexagram) but rather 12 (dodecagram) sides. One can consider it as composed of two overlapping triangles or as composed of six smaller triangles emerging from a central hexagram. Like the Jewish people, the star has 12 sides, representing the 12 tribes of Israel.
A more practical theory is that during the Bar Kochba rebellion by the Jews of the Roman province of Judea, led by Simon bar Kochba, against the Roman Empire in the first century, a new technology was developed for shields using the inherent stability of the triangle. Behind the shield were two interlocking triangles, forming a hexagonal pattern of support points. (Buckminster Fuller, the 20th century American architect, inventor and futurist, showed how strong triangle-based designs are with his geodesics.)
One cynical suggestion is that the Star of David is an appropriate symbol for the internal strife that often afflicts Jewish nation: two triangles pointing in opposite directions!
The Star of David also became a sad symbol of the Holocaust when the Nazis forced Jews to wear an identifying yellow star. Actually, Jews were forced to wear special badges during the Middle Ages, both by Muslim and Christian authorities, and even in Israel under the Ottoman Empire.
So whether it is a blue star waving proudly on a flag, or a gold star adorning a synagogue's entrance, the Star of David stands as a reminder that for the Jewish people, in God we trust.
The Star of David is a symbol essentially in the shape of a star. It is a hexagram, a six-pointed star, made of two interlocking triangles.
Star of David is referred to in Hebrew as the ‘Magen David’. This literally translates to mean ‘Shield of David’, and is used in reference to this jewish star symbol.
Thank you very much for a scholarly and thorough explanation of the beauty in the symbolism of David´s star. May your article reach wide audiences!
In the Sefer (Torah book) Maskil Leshlomo, by Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (cousin of the singing rabbi), he has a chapter on the Star of David. He writes a similar point to the kabalistic idea mentioned above, that the two triangles represent the history of the world. The world began as all good - before the sin of Adam with the Tree of Knowledge. Then there was a split - good and evil. Slowly, over the years, as we come closer to the time of Mashiach, everything is coming back to all good - to the entire creation recognizing God as One.
So, the Start of David, which can be seen as two overlapping triangles - with the top one beginning at a single point, and becoming two and the second beginning with two and becoming one, represents this idea.
May we see that time speedily in our days!
always thought the triangle with base above was the spiritual
merging with earth base below union of the spiritual and the physical,
Very nice thought! It's amazing how one can see so much in it. If this was indeed the symbol on King David's shield, as 'they' say, there is certainly much meaning to it!
It is my persoal opinion that the Triangle represents the strongest shape, therefore, two Triagnles represent the highest of strenght. with that being said King David's shield reflected the Star as a symbol of Jewish/Judean strenght.
I was fascinated to discover when I performed in a Holocaust ceremony in Beth Sholom Synagogue that Frank Lloyd Wright designed in Philadelphia, that Wright based his architectural design on THE STAR OF DAVID - using interlocking and structural triangles both inside and out to create the building. If the Magen David represents God and is the premiere Jewish symbol, building a synagogue on the triangles forming the Magen David is genius!
Yes, it's pretty amazing. The link in the article goes to an article explaining the strength of interlocking triangles. I believe it can also be seen in the bones.
Triangles systems are also used as the support structure of many bridges. It distributes the weight evenly.
So, certainly much can be said about balancing spirituality with physicality - physical pleasures as a tool for spiritual. It is a big, lifelong balance, and has special meaning. All the emotions are a balance. Attaining equilibrium is the goal. And things can always be better, but a solid, safe structure is the main goal.
The NY City subways system is from the oldest and largest in the world, yet, there has virtually never been a crash in 100 years. How? Because there are many safety systems in place. So, there is nothing fancy - no marble etc, but a very safe, solid system. It gets you to your destination. So too this world: When one learns how to live according to Torah...
VERY ILLUMINATING AND MOVING,IN SPITE OF THE PLETHORA OF EXPLANATIONS.I AM AN OLEH FROM SOUTH AFRICA,SINCE 1970,AND VERY PROUDLY "ADVERTISE" MY FEELINGS,HAVING TWO FLAGS ON MY MIRPESET UPSTAIRS,AS WELL A STRING OF SMALLER ONES IN THE"AVENUE" OF MY ENTRANCE=CHAZAK VE EMATZ!!!!!
also said that the star of David pointing out to the famous statement of "As above so below"
Sorry to disappoint you.
It is a sign put by the king David’s name.
There are two ד and two vav that makes the almighty name. Saying, the shield is not the protection. But the almighty G-od.
Thank you
interesting
The triangle (delta shaped) is actually the way the letter dalet was written in Ksav Ivri at the time, so the two triangles could be showing the name of David, written in Hebrew as dalet - vav - dalet. The letter vav is used as a connecting word ('and') so the six-pointed star can be seen as dalet - v - dalet, spelling out the name of David.
the letters of the hebrew alfa -bet
ALEPH BET
the star of David is composed from the letters of the name of G"d
your name gives me confidence that YOUR explanation is correct!
Most of this is plausible and in circulation already BUT I am surprised that you have not mentioned that it is and easy to draw piece of complex geometry. Even with string and a bit of stick tied to an end you can draw a circle in the dust or sand and then walk it - or your modern compass - round the circumference to divide it six times.
A five point star is trickier: draw the circle and construct two diameters at rectangles then bisect a radius and join tha tpoint to oneof the nearest points where a diameter crosses the circle circumference. That longest side - hypotoneuse - of the triangle you have created will then mark off the circumference five times.
wow! You really know what you're talking about-too complicated for my little brain
The Star's symbolism has acquired "emblematic" significance in the course of it's long history. In my mind, the many different possible reasons for the etiology of it's design only gives greater synergy to it's representative meaning. To the believer, it goes from Hashem to David to Zion to the person in less than 1 second.
Forgive me, Joyce, but there seems to be a logical fallacy in your statement -- i.e., if you can't really understand what someone said, how can you be sure that person knows what he/she is talking about?!