Derived from the Hebrew phrase, Magen David, the Star of David’s most traditional tale connects it to the Biblical hero, King David. His battle shield was emblazoned with this symbol to protect him from his enemies through the might and guidance of God. That’s how it became an alternative moniker of the Shield of David.
As stories and histories have overlapped and cultures have converged, so too has the ability to understand the answer to, “What does Star of David mean?”
The Star of David meaning may link to that of the Seal of Solomon, but many argue they are dimensionally different. It is also often confused with the Pentagram, a popular occult symbol that found historic roots in Christianity and Judaism but developed importance in satanic rituals and witchcraft as well.
The Star of David has a major physical difference from the Pentagram, besides its deeper significance. As suggested in its name, the Pentagram forms a five-pointed star, while the Star or Shield of David has the shape of a hexagram, with six points of special meaning.
The Star of David Meaning Throughout History
While its origin story may never be wholly discovered, the indisputable fact is that the Star of David has swerved through the historical timeline, arising in fascinating contexts since ancient times.
Star of David History & Earliest Architectural Appearances
The Star of David has been known as a sign of faith and belief for centuries, but tracing exactly where it first came into use is tricky. An archaeological discovery found the Star of David symbol in a Jewish shrine in Taranto, Italy. Dated to the early 3rd century AD, it may be the earliest physical use of the Star of David.
Centuries later, the Star of David meaning grew as a ubiquitous marker of synagogues, hanging in these places of worship to welcome in Jewish believers.
What Does the Star of David Symbolize? Understanding Symbolic Origins
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Even though its physical presence has been hard to follow, the Star of David meaning has had plenty of reference throughout historical texts.
In the Bible, besides its mention of King David’s shield, the Star of David is spoken of in the Book of Revelation in reference to the twelve apostles of Jesus coming together. It was also demonstrated by a woman wearing a crown of twelve stars at the points and intersections of the Star of David to symbolize the Church.
There are also connections to Genesis as a sign of the Creation story, especially in the depiction of the blue Star of David. With meaning related to unity and respect, the six sides of the hexagram that forms the center of the Star represent the six working days it took God to create the world, with the center as the culmination of the seventh day of rest.
Post-dated from Biblical times, the Star of David took meaning throughout the Middle Ages as a sign of magic but really had more decorative use than any deeper mystical meaning.
Some, namely German-Israeli scholar, Gershom Scholem, have suggested that the Star of David arises from Aristotle, who philosophized on the sacred geometry of triangles as indicators of the earth’s basic elements. This swirl of influence, Scholem argued, may have led to the formation of Kabbala in medieval Judaism.
The Star of David’s truest tie to historic Jewish origins appears in the time of the Holy Roman Emperor under the reign of King of Bohemia Charles IV. He gave Czech Jews in Prague permission to fly a flag showing the Star of David.
Thus, the first instance of its use in Judaism came but would grow in the centuries to be a symbol of the Zionist movement in the 19th century.
Twentieth Century Significance Meaning of Star of Life
The 20th century would prove a true test of the Jewish faith, and the Star of David meaning would pose a challenge while also uniting a community and identity.
In the early 1900s, with a fervent Zionist movement underway, the Star of David served as a religious symbol for the Jewish faith, seen significantly after World War I on graves of slain Jewish soldiers. By the Second World War, this symbol of reverence would be marred in anti-Semitism as the Holocaust plagued the world.
In Hitler’s Germany, the dictator required all Jews to secure the Star of David to their clothing in yellow fabric. In doing so, Hitler tried to link the Star to their persecution in an effort to diminish their faith and their humanity.
However, following the war and the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, the Star of David emerged on the new nation’s flag, indicative of the twelve tribes of Israel by each of the exterior sides of the Star of David. It was then solidified as a symbol of Jewish faith.
Judaic Connection to the Star of David Meaning
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While the tragic history of Judaism tells one story of the Star of David, its meaning in Jewish religion conveys another tale of deep faith and connection to the Divine.
Technically speaking, the Star of David doesn’t have a specifically cited religious meaning but has instead come to stand for certain lessons taught in Jewish faith.
The Star of David History Geometric Design
We’ve mentioned several meanings behind the geometry of the Star of David in terms of the twelve apostles, days of Creation, and the tribes of Israel. When we look at the the Star of David meaning in terms of spirituality, it symbolizes how God has directed the Jewish people to live.
The intersection of the two equilateral triangles demonstrates God’s wisdom pouring down to humans on the earth in one triangle, and humans reaching up towards God’s guidance through the other. It becomes a sign of the unity found with Heaven and Earth.
Because the two triangles seem twisted together and indistinguishable as separate shapes, this represents that through belief in God, our souls become filled by Divine presence in all ways.
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Spiritual Significance Star of David History
Pointedly to Jewish scripture, the seven compartments of the Star of David correlate to the spiritual and emotional traits faithful beings should strive to achieve.
The central hexagon represents Yesod, a firm foundation in faith. Surrounding this shape are six triangles (Hebrew – English):
- Chesed – Goodness
- Guevurah – Severity
- Hod – Splendor
- Malkuth – Kingdom
- Netzach – Perseverance
- Tiferet – Harmony
In one particular instance, a 16th century Czech Jewish prayer book, known as a siddur, showed the emblem of the Star of David on its cover with an inscription that those who grasp the Shield of David would receive gifts from God.
What Does the Star of David Mean in Different Cultures
Given its incredibly rich history in Jewish faith, astonishingly the Star of David finds meaning in many other cultures too. The symbol has been found throughout cultures in the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia.
Still in step with Jewish belief, the mystic sect known as Kabbala invests the Star of David meaning with the idea that God’s power extends in every direction of the universe – up, down, north, south, east, and west.
Some origin stories have mapped the symbol to the Hindu faith, believing that perhaps the sign was carried from South Asia back towards the Mediterranean roots of Judaism.
In Hindu belief, the shape corresponds to a node in the body’s chakra system, namely at the central Anahata, or the heart chakra.
Even farther away, the Star of David geometry has significance in East Asian philosophy. The principle of Yin and Yang are represented by the two triangles. The downward pointing triangle refers to negative energy, the Yin, while the upward positioned triangle is the positive Yang.
Together, the energies find union, symbolic of feminine-masculine sexuality and creation.
What Does the Star of David Represent Final Thoughts
The Star of David meaning has a history worth celebrating, traveling across cultures, through wars, and over centuries. Its deeply spiritual significance makes it a symbol of faith and trust in the Divine that we can all harness to connect our souls with purpose and intention. Start Your Journey Here: Shop Our Limited-Edition Star of David Collection
