Pentagrams
A brief history of the pentagram
A pentagram is a five pointed star that has been used symbolically for thousands of years. The first records of its use were believed to have been those found in Mesopotamian writings dating back to about 3000 BC. The ancient Greeks and Babylonians also appear to have used it symbolically and for the Pythagoreans it had a special mathematical significance. Pentagrams were also used by the Hebrews and at one time the pentagram became the seal of the city of Jerusalem.
In the middle ages pentagrams were used by Christians and the five points were said to represent the five wounds of Christ. Other Christians even saw it as representing God. Because man was made in God’s image the pentagram became the symbol of humankind with the points representing two arms two legs and a head.
Modern usage of the pentagram
The modern pentagram is sometimes associated with the occult and with witchcraft but far from being a symbol of evil it is actually used as a symbol of protection from evil. A single point must always be at the top of the pentagram and two points at the bottom. In the Wiccan faith the points of the pentagram represent Spirit, water, fire, earth and air. Each of these points has a colour associated with it and these are white or purple for spirit, blue for water, red for fire, green for earth and yellow for air.
You may well see items of jewellery like the one on the left which is based on the Wiccan pentagram. Quite often the pentagram is set inside a circle and is known as a pentacle. This can be worn in the same way as a pentagram and can be used as a symbol of protection.