What does the star of David mean. Where did the Star of David come from? Versions of the appearance of the Star of David

One of those symbols, the history and meaning of which cannot be interpreted with extreme precision, is the six-pointed sign. The Star of David symbol meaning has deep roots and many variations. This image is present in most cultures and religions, used by magicians, occultists and even freemasons.

The Star of David symbol is used in many cultures and dates back to ancient times.

This sign is also called a hexagram - a six-pointed star. She is usually perceived as a Jewish star, but this is not entirely true. The symbol is used in the religion of Muslims, Islam, some Eastern religions and the occult. It is also present in Christianity.

This symbol looks like two inverted triangles, the bases of which are connected. It is also called

"Seal of King Solomon", "Shield of David" or "Star of David", in Hebrew - "Magen David".

Star of David story

It is found in many cultures and is mentioned in many sources. The meaning of this symbol also combines many options. This is due to the large number of religions that use such a symbol. And each endows her with certain abilities. Some of the features are the same, some are purely individual.

Therefore, it is not known exactly where it came from, how it appeared and what the Star of David is.

In alchemy, the sign means youth and immortality.

Long-standing mentions of the symbol

The first images of this symbol date back to the Bronze Age. During the Iron Age, it was discovered in the Iberian Peninsula. In the 7th century BC. e. on the territory of Sidon also revealed seals with the image of a hexagram. During this period, the sign was probably used during a magical ritual, as well as as decoration for a painting.

Archaeologists have found a six-pointed silver star on a stone stand in northern Russia. The territory was then inhabited, according to Vyacheslav Meshcheryakov, by ancient Aryans.

In India, the hexagram appeared earlier than in Europe. In the east, her essence is usually associated with the Goddess Ashtar.

The symbol is directly related to the legend of David. The king chose a six-pointed star as his family coat of arms. His name had two letters in the shape of a triangle, so this symbol served him as a monogram.

Also, legends say David invented a shield in the shape of a six-pointed star. It was later used by the soldiers of the king. Therefore, the hexagram is named after the legendary David.

Middle Ages

During this period, the symbol is found in many European countries. It was used in Orthodoxy for painting temples with ornaments, or applied to an amulet for a warrior. In this case, he bore the name "Seal of King Solomon." According to legend, the king emerged victorious from many battles, including battles with demons. Therefore, Solomon is considered the patron saint of warriors.

In the Middle Ages, the Star of David was often used by magicians, alchemists and occultists. According to one of the theories, the hexagram denotes an astrological symbol.

In 1354, representatives of the family of Jewish origin used this sign to create a flag and family coat of arms. This is one of the first events that tightly linked the hexagram and Jewish culture.

In the 18th century, the symbol was used on Jewish gravestones. From that time on, he began to be inextricably associated with Judaism.

Jewish peoples used the Star of David to create a flag and family coat of arms

XX century

The Third Reich, as you know, intended to destroy the entire Jewish people. In concentration camps, prisoners were divided according to rank (political prisoners, emigrants, gay, etc.) by the color of the triangle sewn onto their clothes. The yellow star (two intersecting triangles) was sewn on to the Jews.

During this period, there was a special British detachment, which included only Jews. They also used a yellow star as a distinctive sign. This prompted the Jewish people to fight not only physically, but also spiritually against the Nazis.

The six-pointed symbol during the Second World War was often depicted on the tombstones of soldiers. The national Israeli paraphernalia later began to fix this symbol. Including on the emblem of the defensive army and the flag.

Symbol meaning

The rich history of this symbol provides for a difference in meanings. Here are the most common interpretations of the six-pointed sign:

• In India, the symbol denotes one of the chakras: Anahata, the heart chakra. It also balances calm and chaos. Reflects the struggle between the carnal and the spiritual.
• The six-pointed star is able to protect from evil and save the life of a warrior in battle. Therefore, it is associated with the name of King David.
• In Freemasonry, the hexagram means wisdom and omnipotence.
• Alchemists endowed this sign with the semantics of immortality.
• Two triangles symbolize the union of the heavenly and earthly worlds, divine and human, male and female principles. The connection of the different parts that make up the universe.
• In Christianity, this symbol denotes the Star of Bartholomew, the Star of David, to which Jesus belongs. It is also a symbol of the seven days of the creation of the world by God.
• It also means the five human senses, identified with the five rays of the image. The sixth ray is the striving for the divine.
• It also means harmony and the struggle of the elements.
• Occultism uses the hexagram in a negative way: as a sign of the devil.

Guardian Star of David

Items with an image or in the form of a six-pointed sign are now used quite often. These are medallions, pendants, rings, and even tattoos.

In the old days, seafarers applied a drawing of a hexagram in a circle to their bodies. People believed that this amulet would help them return home safe and sound. A similar procedure was followed by soldiers leaving for battles. This protected them from physical injury and death, like a shield. Alchemists believed that the Star of David amulet brings youth and immortality.

The amulet in the form of a Star of David in different cultures has different meanings

The hexagram is widely used in tarot cards and in various rituals of magic. There is a version that the Star means a connection with the devil (six acute angles, six obtuse angles, six sides). And it is used to call Satan. Therefore, many sources strongly advise against wearing such an amulet. But this is just one of the options.

The amulet of a six-pointed star protects against evil and helps to cope with difficulties. The hexagram is inextricably linked with esoteric knowledge. It helps the owner to learn the secrets of the world, reveal intuition and gain wisdom. To do this, the amulet should be worn in the form of a silver pendant: the Star of David located in a circle.

An amulet is used in cases where a person is in serious danger, or he wants to reveal the potential for clairvoyance.

The Star of David is a contradictory and mysterious symbol. Although it is generally believed that this is a Jewish star, its history dates back to the Bronze Age, and possibly even earlier. It is not known for certain where it came from and for what purpose. The hexagram is present in many cultures and is used by different religions as a talisman.

At all times, people have paid special attention to symbolism. And it is not so important whether the conversation is about religion, the occult or ordinary hobbies. And the six-pointed star has always occupied a special place. The meaning of this symbol cannot be determined unambiguously. In a wide variety of cultures, it is interpreted in different ways.

In general, the star has been an important symbol since ancient times, since its image was prompted by nature itself. A person is inevitably drawn to the sky, so she was compared by people with superiority, strength, constancy and protection. Flickering and bright overflows indicated hope, dream and miracle, which also had a positive effect on the attitude towards the corresponding symbolism. The six-pointed star in different cultures has received its own special definition. But one thing is for sure: there were no civilizations that did not pay their attention to it.

The origin of the star of David

There is no doubt that the Star of David belongs to the Jewish culture, as it was first discovered in the 7th century. BC e. in Sidon. The seal it was on belonged to a certain Jew, Yeshua ben Yeshayau. Then the symbol had no other definitions, its name sounded like this: a six-pointed star. A photo of that seal has survived to this day. Later, the symbol received a different name - "Magendavid", as well as known in modern times - "Star of David". This happened in the early Middle Ages, when the first sources with legends about King David appeared. It was believed that a shield with such a symbol protected the commander and his army in battles, so they all brought only victories.

Speaking about what the star of David means, another version of the origin of the name should not be overlooked. 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, which is why 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 was then only a decoration; it acquired its specificity a little later, in 1354. At that time, he granted the 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 focused in most cases on Jewish and Jewish cultures.

Understanding the six-pointed star

The six-pointed star symbol is usually depicted in the form of equilateral triangles superimposed on each other so that their vertices point one up and the other down. Also, these figures have one center. In some cultures, the symbol is tweaked in accordance with the beliefs that are observed within society. However, most often this image is attributed to Judaism, since the star is widespread 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 this will not affect the opinion of people, because for a long period of time the hexagram was in the same ranks with Nazism.

In fact, the most common understanding of the symbol is wrong. Speaking about what the Star of David means, they usually mention Judaism and its presence in this religion. Today, Magendavid means freedom, and there is an explanation for that. 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, there lived a nation whose people were under oppression. On the fields, in battles with enemies, the Jews often lost, because they could not hold back the onslaught of the most powerful warrior - Goliath. But David, picking up a shield with the image of a hexagram, nevertheless defeated him. As a result, the Jews received freedom from enemy oppression.

Later (in the 13th century), the Jews again intersect with the hexagram. Now, for services to the empire, the Roman emperor Charles bestows upon the people a flag with the image of a Magendavid, only then it was scarlet (in modern times - blue). And again, getting a star is associated 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, adopted the six-pointed star as a symbol of the Jewish people. Thus, in this case too, the understanding of Magendavid is invariably associated 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 the six-pointed star is on, then Israel is always mentioned. Some other countries throughout the history of mankind also assigned this symbol to their family, but in fact, it took root in this interpretation only in Judaism. There are several theories as to how the hexagram appeared on the flag of Israel.

According to one version, this symbol was borrowed from Ancient Egypt. The Egyptian pharaohs had Jews in slavery for a long time, until the prophet Moses came and became their deliverer. In the occultism of that ancient civilization, the six-pointed star occupied a special position; it was used in the tracing of signs associated with deities. Quite true story, apart from the fact that its most common name is "Star of David". And here the name by which the symbol was named 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 moved forward, carrying a shield in the shape of a six-pointed star in his hand (according to other sources, this symbol was painted on the shield). After the defeat of the stronger troops, outside observers had the impression that it was David's shield that served as the reason for the liberation of the state.

It should be noted that the symbols of Judaism did not immediately begin to include the 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.

Puzzles

The symbol in question is from the 7th century BC. e. excites the minds of historians, occultists and cultural scholars. And all because it appears in many written sources, on rock paintings, and other similar elements. This means that almost every civilization that has ever existed on the planet has invariably shown its interest in this symbol. What is its mystery?

Not a single culturologist has yet come close to this issue; all the new facts associated with the six-pointed star reveal even more unsolved mysteries. 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 summoned spirits who helped him in all good endeavors.

Or the story of David himself, in which he defeats Goliath, not without the help of a shield with the image of a hexagram. Since then, this Jewish commander 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 this moment, all Jews still honor the symbol as a protector from demons, carry with them amulets and talismans with such an image.

But there are absolutely opposite stories related to the hexagram. She is often featured along with the fascist swastika, so many people have a negative attitude towards her. 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 through the image of a yellow hexagram on the subject's forehead. This state of affairs allowed the fascists to distinguish those on whom they had already experimented from "pure" people.

Therefore, wherever the six-pointed star appears, its value is always either positive or negative. It occupies the golden mean only as a symbol in some cultures, and then 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 the occult, as far as modern history knows, there has always been a six-pointed star. Its significance is great not only for rituals, but also for the creation of books with spells and so on. In magic, the three sides of the triangles personified matter, spirit and the middle nature (the same as space in science). Thus, the value can be divided into three components:

1. Mind or consciousness, the element that is responsible for the creation of energy.
2. Matter (middle nature, space). Occultists considered matter as a kind of cosmic substance that is harmoniously distributed throughout the universe. Therefore, this element was responsible for the safety of everything that ever existed.
3. Physical matter. Since it is quite dense, it ceases to transmit the light of the sun, and gradually becomes darkness. Therefore, the element in question is responsible for the destruction of energy.

Based on the above, 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 their popularity until today. Thanks to this symbol, any event could be explained. Magic amulets with the image of a hexagram opened the future, past and present to occultists.

Talismans

The six-pointed star at all times personified a powerful defense, in fact, impenetrable. Therefore, until today, it is often used to create amulets and amulets. Since the Middle Ages, talismans with a hexagram were 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 surprise attacks from the enemy. Over time, this property lost its significance, but another appeared. Closer to the 16th century, the six-pointed Star of David on talismans was used in order 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 such signs and symbols that are not only time-tested, but also acquired the generally accepted status of assistants. This is exactly what Magendavid is, because for thousands of years all peoples and cultures have been interested in him.

Why is the six-pointed star in Christianity perceived as a symbol of evil spirits?

The symbol "Star of David" in Orthodoxy has not 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 has already visited the earth, so the seventh day has come. In Judaism, it is only expected. Consequently, Christians perceive the symbol as irrelevant.

Six-pointed star - good or evil?

Many cultures have never reacted negatively to such a symbol as the Star of David. Photos depicting this figure, described in a negative way, are found only in eschatological interpretations. This religious doctrine compares the symbol to the number of the beast. It has 6 corners, 6 small triangles, and 6 sides inside a hex.

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 downwards means the sky, upwards means the earth. Accordingly, the six-pointed star is oriented towards the universe in this case. The meaning of the symbol expresses the essence of a person who constantly rushes between spirituality and the carnal components.

When the first alchemists appeared, they also became interested in the hexagram, and depicted with its help the philosopher's stone, giving eternal life. Masons compared the symbol with great wisdom, to which, in fact, they aspired. One way or another, each current compared the six-pointed star with something of its own.

Significance in different cultures

The six-pointed star has more than just esoteric or religious significance. Many civilizations have applied it in various fields just because it looks beautiful. For example, since the fourteenth century it has been used as an award for special merit. 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 unambiguous. On the one hand, the Orthodox dislike her, since the figure is 666 by the number of angles, sides and triangles.On the other, it was the six-pointed star that showed the way to the house where Jesus was born. But the generally accepted Orthodox opinion is focused on the fact that the Lord was engaged in 6 days of creating 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 had already descended to earth.

Eastern cultures also did not abandon 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 personify Kali and Shiva, or destruction and creation of the world. Thus, the 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.

Magendavid is also found in Freemasonry, but members of this society give more 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, it will turn out.Therefore, the Masons are still associated with the Magendavid, but indirectly, honoring him as the father of Solomon, the holder of the ring with a five-pointed star, whom he ruled over spirits and ghosts.

Theosophical interpretation is focused exclusively on the perfection of the universe, as well as in occultism. Two triangles (2 - the number of a woman), three faces and angles in each (3 - the number of a man) allow idealizing not only the universe, but also the symbol itself, which explains its high value.

A six-pointed star in a circle appeared almost immediately after the usual Magendavid. However, it received its greatest distribution only in astrology. This is how all the signs of the zodiac were depicted within the framework of one specific symbol.

In general, it is impossible to say for sure where and when the Star of David was encountered in history, since every culture necessarily used it in scriptures, on amulets or in engraving on buildings.

Image of the symbol in different cultures

Quite often, various symbols of a religion are, in essence, the same, but are depicted in different ways. So, for example, Kabbalists draw a hexagram in the form of two triangles, black and white. They represent spirit and matter. And the meaning of the individual lines or the hexagon that forms in the center is missing.

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 personifies the three deities and the eternity of their reign. 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, and together they represent a complete picture. Also, there are no definite interpretations of individual lines, except that the star of David is the symbol of the Jews. A photo with the image of the Hebrew 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 a generally accepted sign of the Jews only in the eighteenth century, previously Europe did not consider it as a symbol of one particular state.

Let's summarize the ways of depicting a six-pointed star and its meaning in different cultures in the table below.

Thus, it is impossible to say exactly what the six-pointed star means. In most cultures, she 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 we 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 by presenting it with its own flag with the Magendavid.

The Star of David (Hebrew מָגֵן דָּוִד - Magen David, "Shield of David"; in Yiddish, Mogendoвидvid is pronounced) is an ancient symbol, an emblem in the form of a six-pointed star (hexagram), in which two identical equilateral triangles (one turned apex up, the other - apex down ) are superimposed on each other, forming a structure of six equal corners attached to the sides of a regular hexagon.

There are various versions of the origin of the name of the symbol, from linking it with the legend about the shape of the shields of the soldiers of King David to raising it to the name of the false messiah David Alroy or the Talmudic phrase denoting the God of Israel. Another version of it is known as the "Seal of King Solomon." Since the 19th century, the Star of David has been considered a Jewish symbol. The Star of David is depicted on the flag of the State of Israel and is one of its main symbols. Six-pointed stars are also found in the symbols of other states and settlements.

The origin of the star of David

There is no doubt that the Star of David belongs to the Jewish culture, as it was first discovered in the 7th century. BC e. in Sidon. The seal it was on belonged to a certain Jew, Yeshua ben Yeshayau. Then the symbol had no other definitions, its name sounded like this: a six-pointed star. A photo of that seal has survived to this day. Later, the symbol received a different name - "Magendavid", as well as known in modern times - "Star of David". This happened in the early Middle Ages, when the first sources with legends about King David appeared. It was believed that a shield with such a symbol protected the commander and his army in battles, so they all brought only victories. Speaking about what the star of David means, another version of the origin of the name should not be overlooked. 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, which is why 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 was then only a decoration; it acquired its specificity a little later, in 1354. At that time, the Roman emperor granted the 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 focused in most cases on Jewish and Jewish cultures.

During the 17-18 centuries, this sign was adopted by the Jews of Moravia and Austria, and then - Italy and the Netherlands. Somewhat later, it spread among the communities of Eastern Europe. In kabbalistic circles, the “shield of David” was interpreted as “the shield of the son of David,” that is, Mashiach. Followers of the false messiah Shabtai Tzvi (late 17th century) saw in him a symbol of imminent deliverance.

After 19th century

In the 19th century, emancipated Jews chose Magen David as their national symbol in opposition to the Christian cross. It was during this period

the six-pointed star was accepted by almost all communities in the Jewish world. She began to appear on the buildings of synagogues and Jewish institutions, on monuments and tombstones, on seals and letterheads, on household and religious items. Since 1799, Magen David was first used as a specific Jewish symbol in anti-Semitic cartoons. In 1822, the Rothschild family, having received the title of nobility, included the Magen David in their family coat of arms. In 1840, the poet Heinrich Heine began to put this sign instead of the signature under his articles in the German newspaper Augsburger Algemeine Zeitung. The first Zionist congress in 1897 adopted the six-pointed star as the symbol of the Jewish national movement, and in the same year it graced the cover of the first issue of the magazine Die Welt, published by Theodor Herzl. Over time, Magen David appeared on the state blue and white flag of Israel, although a more authentic and ancient Jewish emblem - the Menorah, the image of a temple lamp, was chosen as the emblem. For religious Jews, Magen David is not devoid of a generally recognized semantic load.

There is a tradition to decorate a sukkah with it - a special hut in which a Jew lives during the Sukot holiday. The six points of the star hung in the sukkah correspond to the six “guests” attending each Jewish sukkah on the first six days of the festival of Sukkah: Abraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Moshe, Aaron, and Yosef. The seventh “guest” unites them all - King David. Another detail: Magen David has 12 ribs, which corresponds to the 12 tribes of Israel, over which David reigned. Kabbalists also teach that the six points of the "Star of David" correspond to six spatial directions - earth, sky, north, south, east, west - which means the omnipotence of God. An interesting linguistic detail: in Hebrew, the words Magen David also consist of six letters.

Star of David in different cultures

There are numerous interpretations of the symbolic meaning of the Star of David, both traditional and relatively new, including those proposed already in the 20th century.

• The hexagram is interpreted as a connection and combination of two principles: masculine (a triangle with "broad shoulders" pointing downwards) and feminine (a triangle pointing upwards).
• In ancient times, it was believed that Magen David personifies all four fundamental principles: a triangle facing upwards symbolizes fire and air, while another triangle, facing downwards, symbolizes water and earth.
• According to another version, the upper corner of the triangle facing upwards symbolizes fire, the other two (left and right) symbolize water and air. The corners of another triangle, one of the corners facing down, respectively: mercy, peace (calm) and grace. According to another interpretation, the six-pointed Star of David symbolizes the Divine control of the whole world: earth, sky and four cardinal points - north, south, east and west.
• Magen David is also interpreted as a combination of the heavenly principle, which aspires to the earth, and the earthly principle, which aspires to heaven.
• According to the interpretation of Rabbi Eliyahu Essas, this sign symbolizes 6 days of creation and reflects the model of the universe. Two triangles - two directions.

A triangle pointing upwards: the top point indicates the Supreme and that He is one. Further, the divergence of this point to the left and to the right indicates the opposites that have appeared in the process of creation - Good and Evil. The point of the second triangle of the Star of David is directed downward. From two distant tops, the lines converge to one - the lower, the third. Essas considers the second triangle as a symbol of the purpose of human existence in uniting the ideas of the "right" and "left" sides of the created world.

How did the Star of David appear on the flag of Israel?

If there is a conversation about which flag the six-pointed star is on, then Israel is always mentioned. Some other countries throughout the history of mankind also assigned this symbol to their family, but in fact, it took root in this interpretation only in Judaism. There are several theories as to how the hexagram appeared on the flag of Israel. According to one version, this symbol was borrowed from Ancient Egypt.

The Egyptian pharaohs had Jews in slavery for a long time, until the prophet Moses came and became their deliverer. In the occultism of that ancient civilization, the six-pointed star occupied a special position; it was used in the tracing of signs associated with deities. Quite true story, apart from the fact that its most common name is "Star of David". And here the name by which the symbol was named 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 moved forward, carrying a shield in the shape of a six-pointed star in his hand (according to other sources, this symbol was painted on the shield).

After the defeat of the stronger troops, outside observers had the impression that it was David's shield that served as the reason for the liberation of the state. It should be noted that the symbols of Judaism did not immediately begin to include the 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.

Star of David - a model of the universe or the number of the beast?

In Indian culture, in particular in tantra and yoga, the six-pointed star was and remains yantra - a graphic symbol of one of the seven human chakras, namely Anahata, the heart center. This chakra is located in the spine at the level of the heart and is responsible for devotion, love, compassion and joy. In yantra, the downward-pointing triangle symbolizes the sky, and the upward-pointing triangle symbolizes the earthly origin. Therefore, the six-pointed star expresses the human essence, which is in eternal union and the struggle of the spiritual and carnal components.

Other ancient sources associated the hexagram with the four elements, the four cardinal points, the harmonious union of a man and a woman, and even an Angel and a Demon. Kabbalists believed that Magendovid reflects the seven lower Sephiroth - the emanations of God. And according to the eschatological interpretation, the hexagram symbolizes the number of the Beast - 666, since it has six angles, six small triangles and six sides of the inner hexagon.

Representatives of each religious or esoteric movement saw something of their own in the six-pointed star. For example, in early Christianity, the hexagram was associated with the Star of Bethlehem or with the six days of creation. With the advent of alchemy, the symbol became a graphic representation of the philosopher's stone. In Freemasonry, Magendovid was the emblem of transcendental wisdom.

The interpretation of this symbol by the German-Jewish philosopher Franz Rosenzweig deserves special mention. In his opinion, Magendovid personifies the relationship between the creator, people and reality. At the vertices of the triangle lying at the base are God, Man and the Universe. And the other triangle expresses the position of Judaism in relation to these elements. The addition of the triangles forms the "Star of Salvation."

Freedom symbol

The six-pointed star has the strongest connection with Judaism. Most Jewish communities around the world have recognized the Magendovid as one of their main symbols. And since 1840 the German poet of Jewish origin Heinrich Heine put it instead of the signature under his articles in the German newspaper Augsburger Algemeine Zeitung. Therefore, it is not surprising that in the 20th century, the symbol appeared on anti-Semitic cartoons, and then the Nazis chose the Magandovids as a distinctive sign of the Jew on a yellow background. This humiliating bandage was required to be worn by all Jewish residents of the ghetto during World War II. But less than ten years have passed since the star with six rays from a brand turned into a symbol of freedom. The flag of Israel with a blue six-pointed star on a white background was officially approved on October 28, 1948.

It is noteworthy that Israel's greatest friends - the United States - also have a hexagram in their symbolism. The Star of David is featured on the Great Seal of the United States. Also, the Star of David is clearly visible in the ornament of the walls of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow and in the cross of the central dome. It is also present on icons. The symbol can be found today on the coats of arms of the German cities of Gerbsted and Cher, as well as Ukrainian ones - Konotop and Ternopil.

Star of David as an amulet

The Star of David was used as an amulet back in the Middle Ages. However, this was done exclusively by those who were able to understand its meaning. Nowadays, it is widely considered a symbol of belonging to the Jewish people, but if you understand the true meaning of the hexagram, you can safely wear such an amulet. An amulet with the image of a hexagram is considered protective. He can save from evil spirits and evil witchcraft, like most of the religious symbolism. Since the Star of David, according to legend, was depicted on the shield, the symbol is now considered one of those that are capable of protecting not only from otherworldly troubles, but also from weapons and attempts on life. Medieval occultists believed that this symbol, worn around the neck, could reveal to its owner the secrets of the past, present and future. Freemasons considered this sign a symbol of wisdom, and alchemists identified it with immortality and the comprehension of secrets. From all of the above, we can conclude that the Star of David amulet is not

will only protect against evil, but it is also good for those who are going to learn fortune telling or simply want to develop their intuition and receive hints from higher powers in difficult times.

Other symbols of Judaism

• Pentagram. In another way, this symbol is also called the Seal of Solomon or the five-pointed star. This symbol is used in Jewish amulets no less often than the Star of David. On each side of this pentagon are isosceles triangles, which are all the same in height. Since ancient times, it has been one of the most common magical symbols. It is a symbol of harmony between body and spirit, a sign of health. The pentagram, unlike the Star of David, is found not only in Israel, during the excavations of such ancient civilizations as Babylon, India, Assyria, Peru and China, scientists found out that in these countries it was known about the five-pointed star.
• Shofar. This is the sacred horn of the ram, which is sounded on holidays.
• Torah. For the Israelites, the Torah is like the Old Testament for a Christian person. The Torah texts were copied by hand for about 3000 years. The texts were carefully checked by people of honorable professions, and special Torah readers were prepared. The texts were read from beginning to end several times.
• Chanukiyot. These are special lamps for ceremonies that are lit in Israel during the major Jewish holiday - Hanukkah. This holiday was established to honor the day when the miracle happened with the jug of oil.
• Sevivons. These are festive spinning tops for children to play. This top has 4 faces, on each of which the first letters of the following phrase are written: "A great miracle happened there."
• Kipa. A headdress worn by the male population of the Jews. This small hat is called a yarmulke in Russia. A kippah is not an item to be worn every day. It is worn only on religious holidays by men who are representatives of the Jewish diaspora in order to visit the synagogue.

The origin of the star of David

According to one version, the king used a six-rayed star as his personal symbol, since his name contains 2 letters "D", which in those gray days looked like triangles. According to the legends that have come down to our time, the shape of the shields of the soldiers of the army of David represented exactly this kind. There is another version, according to which the soldiers had leather shields, and the star was inscribed on them.

(see the meaning of the word Holocaust).

The meaning of the star of David

Personalizes the combination the heavenly principle, which aspires to the earth and the earthly, which aspires to heaven;

The two corners of the triangle pointing up represent air and water, and another angle represents fire. Those angles of the triangle that are directed towards the earth are grace, mercy and peace;

Down triangle- this is the natural beginning of earth and water, and the upward triangle is a symbol of fire and air.

Hexagram or 2 triangles represent 2 beginnings - feminine (triangle up) and masculine (triangle down).

The Star of David, as a Jewish symbol, appeared relatively recently - in the 19th century, it is inscribed on the national flag of Israel. The six-pointed star gained its fame largely with the help of the Zionists, who began to use it.

Of course, the Nazis tried to break the worldview of the Jews, putting on them armbands with a six-pointed yellow star, but still for most of them it has forever remained a holy symbol. For example, one of the British brigades that fought against the Germans during World War II had the Star of David on its brigade banner. Just as a cross is depicted on the gravestones of Christians, a six-pointed star is painted on Jewish graves.

As mentioned above, the star of David symbol has its roots in the distant past, so it can still be found in the symbolism of some states, such as.

Please tell me why there are six-pointed stars on the crosses of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior (12 stars on each cross)? After all, they can be mistaken for the stars of David, i.e. a symbol of the Jews? As far as I know from the Apocalypse, Jesus says that the morning star is given to shepherds (in a figurative sense to kings), i.e. those Christians who have withstood all the trials, and if taken literally, it means those who were resurrected from their "crosses" as well as Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus Himself also says that he is the Bright and Morning Star. Tell me more, please, what do these Bright Star and Morning Star mean according to Orthodox symbols? And also: First - Last, Alpha - Omega, Beginning and End, Root of David - a descendant of David? And how are these stars portrayed?

The priest Afanasy Gumerov, a resident of the Sretensky Monastery, answers:

Hexagram (Greek hex - six; gramma - line, line) is a six-pointed star made up of two equilateral triangles with a common center. She is not a special symbol of Judaism. The hexagram is found many centuries BC in India, Mesopotamia, Britain and other countries. It was widely used as a decorative element in the Middle Ages in Arab countries. Her image can be found in old Muslim cemeteries. Until the end of the 18th century, representatives of Judaism only occasionally turned to the hexagram. Only from the beginning of the 19th century did Jews begin to accept it as a national emblem. In the last two centuries, she has often been depicted in synagogues, in Jewish publications, and on grave monuments. With the formation of the Jewish statehood, the six-pointed star is depicted on the Israeli flag. The choice of this sign has no support in the religious or historical tradition of Judaism. The names "David's shield" (Magen David) and "Solomon's seal" (sigillum Solomonis) are arbitrary. The connection of the hexagram with these two great kings of biblical history is not traced in any way. The Hebrew warriors had two types of shield: a large oblong shield to protect the whole body (Hebrew cinnamon) and a small round one (Hebrew magen). There is no evidence that David had a six-toothed shield, not a round one. It is unlikely that King Solomon could have an outline of the hexagram. Sinai legislation forbade making the image of "what is in the sky above, and what is on the earth below, and what is in the water below the earth" (Ex. 29: 4). The Jews understood this prescription in a very broad sense. The six-pointed star could be perceived as an image of what is in the sky above.

Sometimes they refer to the fact that from the end of the 17th century the hexagram was used by Kabbalists. To this, it must be resolutely said that there is not a single geometric figure that, over a long human history, would not have been the subject of philosophical-cosmological and occult-mystical speculations. If we, rejecting various false teachings, do not perceive their symbolic interpretations, for us they will be only geometric shapes taken from the nature created by God. We should not absolutize signs in order to prevent elements of magic from entering our consciousness.

In the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the hexagram is present for decorative and aesthetic purposes.

The Lord Jesus Christ, after the revelations given to the seer, confirming His Messianic dignity, calls Himself: Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, First and Last. With the help of the first and final letters of the Greek alphabet, He points to the fullness contained in Him. Such a figurative expression was also used by Jewish scribes: “from Aleph to Tav”. The expression Alpha and Omega means that Christ is the true God. Earlier in the text, this image was twice applied to God the Almighty (cf. Rev. 1: 8; 21: 6). The expression First and Last are identical in meaning. It is also found in the Old Testament: "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last, and apart from Me there is no God" (Is.44: 6; Is.48: 12). The combination of the words "beginning and end" also indicates the absolute completeness of God.

Continuing to confirm His Divine dignity, Jesus Christ applies to Himself images and expressions that indicate the ancient prophecies about Him: “A star ascends from Jacob and a rod rises from Israel” (Num.24: 17). St. Peter confirms that this expression refers specifically to Christ: “And besides, we have the most faithful prophetic word; and you do well that you turn to him as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts ”(2 Pet. 1: 18-19). The Savior calls Himself the morning star because it portends the sunrise that will drive away the darkness of the night, the darkness of sin and death. "He who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, to him I will give authority over the Gentiles.<...>and I will give him the morning star (Rev. 2: 26,28). The promise of the morning star is the promise of Christ Himself.

The expression “the root and offspring of David” is closely related to the prophecy of Isaiah: “And a branch will come from the root of Jesse, and a branch will grow from his root; and the Spirit of the Lord rests on him, the spirit of wisdom and reason, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and piety "(Is.11: 1-2; cf." The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, "Luke 4:18). Jesse was the father of David. The words root of Jesse, as well as the root of David, indicate that Jesus is the Messiah promised by God through the prophets, who will come from the royal lineage of David. He is not only the fulfillment of prophecy, but at the same time is the eternal root from which David originated.

In Orthodoxy, there is no special image of the morning star.