The main difference between the pentagram and the Star of David is that the pentagram is a Wiccan symbol and has only five points, while the Star of David is a symbol of Judaism and is six-pointed. The pentagram is drawn in a single continuous line, while the Star of David is two equilateral triangles (upright and inverted), one placed on the other.
There are more differences related to the origins and use of these meaningful historic symbols.
Pentagram vs Star of David: Key Differences
Design
The pentagram is a five-pointed star drawn as a continuous, single line, but the pentagram enclosed in a circle becomes a pentacle.
The Star of David (Magen David) is a six-pointed star known as a hexagram. An inverted equilateral triangle is placed on an upright equilateral triangle to create a star with six points.
Symbolism
The pentagram is an ancient symbol that has been used by Christians, Wiccans, pagans, Hebrews, and ancient Greeks.
The Star of David is associated with Judaism and is found on the flag of the State of Israel. The symbol is also called the Shield of David. Unlike the menorah, the Star of David is a relatively modern symbol.
Usage
The pentagram represents the union of nature’s elements: air, water, earth, fire, and spirit. The symbol is used in Wiccan rituals for protection and power and to connect the real world with the spiritual world. Historically, it was used as a protection symbol by Christians.
Satanists and occult practitioners use an inverted pentagram. The upside-down pentagram is seen in the sign of Baphomet and Sigil of Lucifer. It’s considered a part of black magic.
The Star of David is a sign of God’s protection. It represents harmony and peace in Buddhism. The Zionist movement in 1897 used the Star of David as its emblem.
The symbol was first used by the Jewish community in Prague in the mid-14th century. Soon after, other communities adopted it as well. The Jews were forced to wear a yellow six-pointed star during the Nazi rule. The Star of David is mentioned in the Bible as David’s Shield and is considered an epithet of God.
Less commonly, the basic hexagram symbol, which is the same as the Star of David, is associated with Goddess Lakshmi in Hinduism and seen in Islam.
What is the Significance of the Pentagram in Wicca?
The pentagram is a popular Wiccan symbol and is often confused with the pentacle. It’s used on talismans to protect the wearer from negative energy. Wiccans use it to connect to magic, light, and the spiritual world.
The pentagram brings power and magic to Wiccan and pagan rituals. It’s also used to generate banishing energy and ward off evil. It’s an integral part of naturalist magic and symbolizes a balanced connection between the real and other worlds.
History and Meaning of the Pentagram
The pentagram is a five-pointed star with roots in Egypt, East, Mesopotamia, and Greece. For Greeks, the pentagram represented the golden ratio, and the Pythagoreans called it a sign of perfection.
Egyptians used the pentacle, which is a pentagram with a circle around it, to represent the underworld where the dead roamed. It’s associated with the wounds of Christ for Christians. The pentagram represents five elements of nature for neopagans and Wiccans.
Use of the Pentagram
Pagans and Wiccans use the symbol in the upright position with one point at the top and two points at the bottom. The Satanists and magick practitioners use an inverted pentagram to invoke Satan.
This was made famous by Eliphas Levi, a French occultist. However, the pentagram is a positive sign and doesn’t symbolize Lucifer, the devil, or Satan.
What Does the Star of David Symbolize in Judaism?
The Kabbalah says that the Star of David represents seven attributes. The six points of the star and its center denote kindness, royalty, splendor, foundation, harmony, severity, and perseverance.
The top three points of the star also symbolize creation, redemption, and revelation. The other three points denote man, the world, and God.
Star of David and Seal of Solomon
The Star of David is not the same symbol used by King David, though both are hexagrams. The Star of David is a 2D image of two equilateral triangles, while the Seal of Solomon is a 3D image of interwoven triangles.
The Seal of Solomon is an Islamic symbol as Solomon and David are prophets. It is mentioned in the Talmud as a sign of dominance over demons and devils and is used on amulets. The Muslim, Christian, and Hebrew manuscripts have various references to hexagrams (thus creating confusion).
History of the Star of David
According to Prof. Gershom Scholem, the Star of David’s basic shape was not original to Jewish people. He said that Jews adopted the symbol in the 19th century. Scholem’s book, Magen David – History of a Symbol, was published 27 years after his death.
He said that the hexagram was first the Seal of Solomon, considered to have magical powers. The symbol first appeared as the seal of Yehosua Ben Assiyahu. Then, it was found in a synagogue in Capernaum built in the 3rd century AD. The Star of David became a Jewish symbol during the Second Temple period.
Prof. Scholem also said that the Star of David and the pentagram come from the Seal of Solomon. However, all three symbols are distinct in today’s world.
Use of the Star of David
The Nazis used the symbol to identify Jewish people during Hitler’s rule. As a result, the Star of David became a part of the Israeli flag. It’s used in tattoos and jewelry. Though the symbol represents Judaism, it has other significances too.
For Mormons, the Star of David (hexagram) is a union of heaven and earth. It shows humans reaching up toward God and God reaching down toward humans. In Hinduism, the hexagram denotes the union of masculine and feminine energy or the merger of fire and water elements.