Definition of Star of David

All religions have some symbol that represents them. In the case of Judaism, the symbol is formed by the link or superposition of two equilateral triangles that make up a star with six peaks and a regular hexagram in the center. This element is known as the Star of David.

It represents Judaism as a whole and all its branches, the Orthodox, the Reform, the Conservative or the Reconstructionist, among others.

The philological and historical origin

The Hebrews called the Star David with the words maguen david, which means shield of David. In this sense, it must be remembered that in the tradition Jewish God chose Saul as king, but after his death the new king was David, a humble shepherd who had shown his courage by defeating the giant Goliath.

Later, the Star of David was adopted by the Arab culture, where it is also known as the Seal of Solomon, since Solomon was the king who succeeded King David. Solomon is credited with having written the Song of Solomon or Song of Solomon, a text sacred that is part of the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible made up of 24 books.

According to most scholars, the two interlocking triangles represent a biblical verse highly valued among Jews.

The verse specifically says "I belong to my beloved and my beloved is mine" and in it the intimate relationship between God and humanity can be appreciated. This is not the only one interpretation of the Star of David, as some consider that the two triangles symbolize Heaven and Earth (one triangle points up and the other down). Another interpretive option holds that the six points of the intertwined stars are equivalent to the number 6, a number with a meaning symbolic and mathematical.

In other different cultures and in the esoteric world

In addition to representing Judaism, the symbol of the two stars combined has been used by other cultures, such as the Hindu and the Chinese. In ancient Babylon the same symbol also appears. This circumstance has caused all kinds of reflections and hypothesis. In general, the Star of David is valued as a symbol that represents power, since in addition to expressing the Balance in humans, it also represents the wisdom and the light that guides us in the dark.

These interpretations have a mysterious component and that is why the Star of David is part of the symbology esoteric and in this sense the two triangles are considered as the essence of a Cosmic Being.

Photos: Fotolia - Africa Studio / Argus