Star of David
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Image:Star of David.svg The Star of David (Template:Lang-he [pronounded maw-gān daw-vēd], transliteration: Magen David, Ashkenazi Hebrew transliteration: Mogen David-- literally: "Shield of David", Template:Lang-ar, 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. The symbol's use as a sign of Jewish identity is of recent date; in ancient Judaism the Star of David cannot be found, instead ancient Judaism used the Menorah as its distinctive symbol.
It has been used also in Islam, in the Eastern Religions as well as in Occultism.
Image:Modern Orthodox students carry Israeli flag.jpg With the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 the Star of David on the flag of Israel has also become a symbol of Israel. Image:Leningrad Codex Carpet page e.jpg
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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.Template:Fact It symbolizes the Nara-Narayana, or perfect meditative state of balance achieved between Man and God, and if maintained, results in "Moksha," or "Nirvana" (release from the bounds of the earthly world and its material trappings).
Another theory about the origin of the shape is that it is simply 2 of the 3 letters in the name David. In its Hebrew spelling, David contains only 3 characters, 2 of which are "D" (or "Dalet", in Hebrew). In ancient times, this letter was written in a form much like a triangle, similar to the greek letter "Delta", with which it shares a sound and the same (4th) position in their respective alphabets, as it does with English. The symbol may have been a simple family crest formed by flipping and juxtaposing the two most prominent letters in the name.
Some researchers have theorized that the Star of David represents the astrological chart at the time of David's birth or anointment as king. The Star of David is also known as the "King's Star" in astrological circles, and was an important astrological symbol in Zoroastrianism.
In antique papyri, pentagrams, together with stars and other signs, are frequently found on amulets bearing the Jewish names of God, and used to guard against fever and other diseases. Curiously the hexagram is not found among these signs. In the great magic papyrusTemplate:Fact at Paris and London there are twenty-two signs side by side, and a circle with twelve signs, but neither a pentagram 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 interlocking triangles. No reliable historical evidence for this etymology exists, although "se non è vero, è ben trovato" (If it's not true, at least it's well invented).
Shield form
The Shield of David is not mentioned in ancient 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. Scientists say, that it probably was not a widely recognized symbol in the Israel of the Second Temple era. A supposed David's shield however has recently been noted on a Jewish tombstone at Taranto, in Southern Italy, which may date as early as the third century CE.
Jewish loreTemplate:Fact links the symbol to the "Seal of Solomon", the magical signet ring used by King Solomon to control demons and spirits. Jewish lore also links the symbol to a magic shield supposedly owned by King David that protected him from enemies.
Scholars have said it may be a relict from Ancient Egyptian religious practices, adopted by Jews engaged in the occult and syncretism as early as the era of King Solomon.
The earliest Jewish literary source which mentions it, the Eshkol ha-Kofer of the Karaite Judah Hadassi (middle of the 12th century CE), says, in ch. 242: "Seven names of angels precede the mezuzah: Michael, Gabriel, etc. ... Tetragrammaton protect thee! And likewise the sign called 'David's shield' is placed beside the name of each angel." It was, therefore, at this time a sign on amulets.
A manuscript Tanakh dated 1307 and belonging to Rabbi Yosef bar Yehuda ben Marvas from Toledo, Spain, was decorated with a Shield of David.
In the synagogues, perhaps, it took the place of the mezuzah, and the name "shield of David" may have been given it in virtue of its presumed protective powers. The hexagram may have been employed originally also as an architectural ornament on synagogues, as it is, for example, on the cathedrals of Brandenburg and Stendal, and on the Marktkirche at Hanover. A pentagram in this form is found on the ancient synagogue at Tell Hum.
Shield with stars
In 1354, King of Bohemia Charles IV prescribed for the Jews of Prague a red flag with both David's shield and Solomon's seal, while the red flag with which the Jews met King Matthias of Hungary in the 15th century showed two pentagrams with two golden stars (Schwandtner, Scriptores Rerum Hungaricarum, ii. 148). The pentagram, therefore, may also have been used among the Jews. It occurs in a manuscript as early as the year 1073 (facsimile in M. Friedmann, Seder Eliyahu Rabbah ve-Seder Eliyahu Ztṭa, Vienna, 1901).
In 1460, the Jews of Ofen (Budapest, Hungary) received King Mathios Kuruvenus with a red flag on which were two Shields of David and two stars. In the first Hebrew prayer book, printed in Prague in 1512, a large Shield of David appears on the cover. In the colophon is written: "Each man beneath his flag according to the house of their fathers... and he will merit to bestow a bountiful gift on anyone who grasps the Shield of David." In 1592, Mordechai Maizel was allowed to affix "a flag of King David, similar to that located on the Main Synagogue" to his synagogue in Prague. In 1648, the Jews of Prague were again allowed a flag, in acknowledgment of their part in defending the city against the Swedes. On a red background was a yellow Shield of David, in the centre of which was a Swedish star. Template:Ref
Used by Jews
Image:Karlsruhe Synagoge Luftbild.jpg
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 Star of David because of its association with magic and the occult. They do not recognize it as a Jewish symbol. 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, however 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. Because of its association with occultism the Star of David was not used in church architecture, until Christian, both protestant and Catholic, architects began to accept the notion, that the star is an old Jewish sign. Some modern churches have Star of David motives in them, but its use and depiction in churches remains rare.
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 stealing his "seal of Solomon", although according to the Talmud this seal was simply a metal coin with Hebrew letters meaning the name of God, inscribed on it. It is possible that the seal was altered in the Arab tales. The first appearance of the symbol in Jewish scriptures was in oriental Kabbalistic writings, so it is possible that it was an alteration of the pentagram under Arab influence.
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
Image:Yellow star Jude Jew.svg Template:See also
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
Image:Magen David Adom.svg 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
Image:Jain Cosmology0007small.JPG 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. Image:Theosophyseal.gif
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)
Image:Salt Lake Assembly Hall Star of David.jpg Template:Main
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
Image:Raelian symbols.png 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
Notes
- There is a plant named Solomon's seal Polygonatum multiflorum in the lily family.
- In Unicode, the "Star of David" symbol is U+2721 (✡).
- Some maintain that the "Star of David" is actually the letter "Dalet" (corresponding to Greek "Delta") from the Phoenician alphabet. Perhaps standing for the name "David", the second letter is inverted to form the hexagram.
- Others claim that the star of David is, in actuality, modeled after the Merkaba. Template:Fact
Footnotes
- Template:Note The National Flag at MFA
- Template:Note BeerHistory.com
- Template:Note Contemporary beer mat with hexagram from Gasthof und Braueri Zum Goldenen Löwen, Kallmunz Bavaria
External links
- Hexagram -- from MathWorld
- The Archetypal Mandala of India of the Star of David
- 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia on Jewish symbols
- Kulanu on the Star of David
- The Universal Star of Davidar:نجمة داوود
cs:Davidova hvězda de:Davidstern es:Estrella de David fr:Étoile de David ko:다윗의 별 it:Maghen David he:מגן דוד nl:Davidster ja:ダビデの星 pl:Gwiazda Dawida pt:Estrela de Davi ru:Звезда Давида sk:Dávidova hviezda fi:Daavidin tähti sv:Davidsstjärna zh:大衛星