From ancient times to the present day, the star symbol has been used in different cultures and for different purposes. There is a deep meaning in this symbolism, which can be understood only by delving into history.
The star as a geometric symbol is a sign of the divine idea and will, according to which our world appeared and began to rotate in space. This figure symbolized the heavenly stars, which were revered as intelligent beings, constantly influencing our world. Consequently, they became synonymous with wisdom. People believed that the figure of the star exactly followed the trajectory of Venus.
Four-pointed star
The four-rayed star, pointing to the four cardinal directions, is a symbol of guiding and an emblem of travelers. The red four-pointed star is currently adopted as the main emblem by the dwarf state of Aruba, an island belonging to the archipelago of the Lesser Antilles.
Five-pointed star
The ancients believed that each person has his own star, which appears at his birth and goes out at the moment of death. All ancient civilizations knew the image of a five-pointed star, also called the Star of Magicians or the pentagram. In ancient Mesopotamia, the five-pointed star was a symbol of royal power, as well as an amulet capable of protecting against all diseases. It was possible to block the evil forces from entering the dwelling by drawing it over the front door.
In Judaism, the pentagram is a symbol of the Pentateuch of Moses. The ancient Greeks identified it with the letter Alpha. The Pythagoreans considered the five-pointed star to be a symbol of bodily and spiritual harmony, a sign of health, five feelings, and five years of silence of the disciple before initiation into the mysteries of the teaching.
The pentagram is a solar sign among Freemasons. It is called a “flaming star”. Sometimes the letter G is placed in the center of it, which is interpreted as gnosis, or cognition.
Six-pointed star
The six-pointed ordinary star was the personification of the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. The hexagram, which is also a six-pointed star, but composed of two triangles, is the star of David, or Solomon. It is a powerful protective talisman. The Arabs believed that this symbol had power over the jinns.
The hexagram is the basis of action and immobility, embodying the unity of opposites. In alchemy, it is called the Seal of Solomon. It includes seven parts or seven metals, where gold is in the center with four other elements: earth, air, fire, and water. This emblem is the coat of arms of Israel and is called the Shield of David, and is also considered an attribute of many mother goddesses and sea goddesses, such as Isis.
Other star emblems
The star was embroidered on the sails. Thus, sailors expressed their reverence for Aphrodite, born from sea foam. This geometric figure was often used for divination. A number of superstitious beliefs were associated with it. The inhabitants of Sparta believed that if a star fell, it was a sign that the king had committed some sin, of which he should repent.
In ancient Rome, it was believed that Jupiter was thus letting people know about an impending storm or that a child was born. In the Catholic tradition, the fall of a star was interpreted as a sign that someone’s soul had left purgatory. Muslims believe that these are stones thrown by angels scaring away evil jinns from heaven.
The seven-pointed star was considered the emblem of Iberia (ancient Georgia) back at the beginning of the new era.
The twelve-pointed star has taken the place of the main state emblem in Namibia since 1991, and the sixteen-pointed star has since established itself as the main symbol of Macedonia.
In heraldry, where the classic star shape is considered to be five-pointed, the primary importance is attached to the color of the stars. The canonical color of the stars in heraldry is white.
To conclude, from hoary antiquity to the present day, with constant constancy, the star has retained the best symbolic meanings. Now it is customary to call “stars” the most popular people who have achieved outstanding success in any field.
