The Star of David (Hebrew: מָגֵן דָּוִד , transliteration: Magen David, Ashkenazi Hebrew transliteration: Mogen David-- literally: "Shield of David", Arabic: نجمة داوود, transliteration: Najmat Dawuud), also known as the Seal of Solomon or "Symbol of Solomon" (Arabic: خاتم سليمان, Khatam Sulayman), is a generally recognized symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity and is also known colloquially as the Jewish Star.

It has been used also in Islam as well as the Eastern Religions.

With the establishment of the State of Israel the Jewish Star on the flag of Israel has also become a symbol of Israel.

Origin

Shape

The shape of the star is an example of the hexagram, a symbol which has significance for other belief systems. The hexagram pre-dates its use by Jews. Its most prevalent usage outside of Judaism was and is the occult.

The hexagram is a Mandala symbol found on ancient Indian temples built thousands of years ago. at Paris and London there are twenty-two signs side by side, and a circle with twelve signs, but neither a pentacle nor a hexagram.

Therefore, the syncretism of Hellenistic, Jewish, and Coptic influences probably did not originate the symbol. It is possible that it was the Kabbalah that derived the symbol from the Templars. Kabbalah makes use of this sign, arranging the Ten Sephiroth, or spheres, in it, and placing it on amulets.

The number six has religious significance in Judaism, e.g., the six days of Creation, the six working days in the week, and the six orders (i.e., top-level subdivisions) of the Oral Law (see Mishna and Talmud).

A popular folk etymology has it that the Star of David is literally modeled after the shield of the young Israelite warrior David (later to be King David). In order to save metal, the shield was not made of metal but of leather spanned across the simplest metal frame that would hold the round shield: two

Shield form

The Shield of David is not mentioned in rabbinic literature. Notably, not a single archeological proof exists as yet concerning the use of this symbol in the Holy Land in ancient times, even after King David. A David's shield has recently been noted on a Jewish tombstone at Taranto, in Southern Italy, which may date as early as the third century.

Jewish lore

Used by Jews

The Star of David can be found on the tombstones of religious Jews going back hundreds of years in Europe, as it became accepted as the universal symbol of the Jewish people. Following Jewish emancipation after the French revolution, Jewish communities chose the Star of David to represent themselves, comparable to the cross used by most Christians.

Some Orthodox Jewish groups reject the use of the hexagram because of its association with "magic" and the "occult," even though the similar-but-different symbol that is used by witches and Satanists is a pentagram inside a circle, with points directly touching the circle.

Some Haredi groups, such as Neturei Karta, reject it because of its association with Zionism.

Many Modern Orthodox synagogues, and many synagogues of other Jewish movements, have the Israeli flag with the Star of David prominently displayed at the front of the synagogues near the Ark containing the Torah scrolls.

Use by Christians

Most Christians, especially Independent Anglicans, Baptists, and other Protestants are supportive of the nation of Israel, and believe that God made a covenant with the Israelites and gave them their land. As such, one may see the Star of David or other Jewish symbols in Churches and stained-glass windows. There is even one embedded in the ceiling of the National Cathedral.

Used by Arabs and Muslims

Professor Gershom Sholem theorizes that the "Star of David" originates in the writings of Aristotle, who used triangles in different positions to indicate the different basic elements. The superposed triangles thus represented combinations of those elements. From Aristotle's writings those symbols made their ways into early, pre-Muslim Arab literature.

The Arabs and Muslims were interested in arithmetics, and were also strongly drawn to biblical and Islamic tales. In fact, one of the most important persons in early Arab and Islamic literature was King Solomon (Arabic, Suliman or Sulayman). The Babylonian Talmud contains a legend about King Solomon being kidnapped by Ashmedai, the king of demons. He succeeded in kidnapping the king by

In various places in the Qur'an, it is written that David and Solomon were prophets and kings and therefore they are revered figures by Muslims. The islamic Turkish beyliks of the Karamanid and Candaroglu dynasties used the star on their flag. Even today, the star can be found in mosques and on other Arabic and Islamic artifacts.

Used by the Nazis

See also: Yellow badge

A Star of David, often yellow-colored, was used by the Nazis, during the Holocaust, as a method of identifying Jews, as it was seen as the "Jewish Star". The requirement to wear the Star of David with the word Jude (German for Jew) inscribed, was extended to all Jews over the age of 6 in German-occupied areas on September 6, 1941. In other areas, local words were used (e.g. Juif in French, Jood in Dutch). In occupied Poland Jews were forced to wear a white armband with a blue Star of David on it, as well as a patch on the front and back of their clothing.

Jewish inmates in concentration camps were later forced to wear similar Nazi concentration camp badges.

Other uses

Heraldry

In heraldry and to a lesser extent vexillology a "star" is assumed to be a six-pointed figure, like a Star of David, but not hollow and with radiating, wavy lines. The more familiar five-pointed star shape is known as a mullet or molet.

Red Magen David

Magen David Adom (Red Star of David) is Israel's only official emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service, in a fashion similar to the Red Cross and the Red Crescent.

Occurrence in Eastern Religions

Six pointed stars have also been found in cosmological diagrams in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The reasons behind this symbol's common appearance in Indic religions and the West are lost in the mists of antiquity. One possibility is that they have a common origin, or the other possibility is that artists and religious people from several cultures independently created the Star of David shape, which after all is a relatively simple and obvious geometric design.

Within Indic lore, the shape is generally understood to consist of two triangles--one pointed up and the other down--locked in harmonious embrace. The two components are called 'Om' and the 'Hrim' in Sanskrit, and symbolize man's position between earth and sky. The downward triangle symbolizes Shakti, and the upward triangle symbolizes Shiva. The mystical union of the two triangles represents Creation.

The two locked triangles are also known as 'Shanmukha' - the six-faced, representing the six faces of Shiva & Shakti's progeny Kartikeya. This symbol is also a part of several yantras and has deep significance in Hindu ritual worship and mythology.

Theosophy

The Star of David is used in the seal and the emblem of the Theosophical Society (founded in 1875). Although it is more pronounced, it is used along with other religious symbols. These include the Swastika, the Ankh, the Aum, and the Ouroborus.

Zion Christian Church

A Star of David badge is worn by members of the Zion Christian Church, which has over three million members and is the largest African Initiated Church in southern Africa.

Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

Main article: Mormonism and Judaism

The Star of David is also used less prominently by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, chiefly in architecture. It symbolizes the Tribes of Israel and friendship and affinity towards the Jewish people. Additionally, some independent LDS theologians such as Jewish-LDS Daniel Rona have further suggested the possibility that the Star of David was actually modeled after the Urim and Thummim, but this is not official doctrine of the Church.

Raelism

Raelism uses a symbol similar to the Star of David. The symbol initially chosen by Claude Vorilhon for his movement was the source of considerable controversy: it resembled a Star of David with the image of a swastika embedded in its center. According to official Raelian statements, the swastika "represents infinity of time, and trace its origins to Sanskrit and Buddhist symbols, to the Chinese character for temple, and to ancient catacombs, mosques, and synagogues."

In 1991, the symbol was changed to remove the swastika and deflect public criticism, as well as to gain acceptance in Israel for the building of a Raelian "embassy" to greet anticipated "Elohim space vessels."

See also

• Flag of Israel
• Chai symbol
• Star of Bethlehem

Footnotes

1.   at MFA
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Davidstern Estrella de David Étoile de David 다윗의 별 מגן דוד Davidster ダビデの星 Gwiazda Dawida Estrela de Davi Звезда Давида Dávidova hviezda Daavidin tähti Davidsstjärna 大衛星