Pentagram
Pentagram
Symbol / Geometry / Magic / Esotericism / Religion
Definition:
The pentagram is a five-pointed star formed by five intersecting lines. It is one of the oldest magical and spiritual symbols in human history and has been used across cultures to represent protection, harmony, perfection, or occult power.
Historical Origin and Meaning:
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Known in Babylonian and Egyptian antiquity
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In Pythagorean philosophy, it symbolized mathematical perfection and universal harmony
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In Christianity, it once represented the Five Wounds of Christ
Symbolism in Different Contexts:
1. Esotericism and Magic:
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Upright (point up):
Represents the human being, the five elements (earth, water, air, fire, spirit), or spiritual balance
Used in white magic and Wicca as a symbol of protection, light, and harmony -
Inverted (point down):
Often associated with black magic or occultism
Interpreted as symbolizing matter over spirit, instinct over reason, or associated with Satanism
Frequently misunderstood and sensationalized in pop culture (e.g., metal music, horror films)
2. Alchemy and Hermeticism:
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Represents the five elements and the quintessence
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Symbol of the microcosm: the human being as a reflection of the universe
3. Modern Usage:
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In Wicca, the pentagram is central, symbolizing nature, unity, and spiritual protection
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Used in Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and Golden Dawn traditions as part of ritual symbolism
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Often appears in pop culture as a mystical or rebellious motif
Distinction from the Hexagram:
While the pentagram is often associated with earth, the elements, and the human form, the hexagram represents cosmic harmony, duality, and spiritual union.
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