MEANING OF THE STAR OF DAVID

Symbols span multiple fields of human culture. The star of David is one of the most outstanding emblems and significant of the Hebrew tradition and Jewish identity. It is made up of regular polygons, made up of two interlocking equilateral triangles, in such a way as to form a perfectly regular hexagram, presenting six outer points and a solid center.

The Star of David is one of the amulets with the most history within humanity. The legends that speak of his appearance are diverse, as well as the interpretations that are given to his symbology.

The solid interior of the star is considered to represent the inner core and spirituality of the person. The outer points receive the force from the core and represent the presence of God in the six universal directions.

Jewish tradition says that God gave the symbol of the six-pointed star to King David, to be the symbol of his kingdom. However, this emblem has also been used by numerous cultures, both as a decorative element and as a protective talisman; In addition, it has gone through different religions such as Judaism, Islam and Hinduism.

On the other hand, in the 14th century, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, it was used as an icon of Jewish identity, since Emperor Charles IV gave the Jews of Prague the right to have a flag. They chose the hexagram as a symbol and added it to their flag in the year 1500, when the emperor welcomed them to the city, acquiring the famous name of «Star of David».

Likewise, in the 19th century it is introduced in the synagogues and is the object of cults; by 1948, long after the war, he became an official part of the flag of Israel, as an emblem of honor, respect and unity of the Jewish people.

For Judaism, the Star of David represents the relationship with God and the Jewish people. They claim that the star pointing upwards personalizes the «Supreme Being»; and, downwards, it represents the people on earth. The six sides and the center indicate the six days of work and the hexagon in the center, Saturday, the day of rest. Similarly, the two intersecting stars embody the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Instead, the version of Hinduism teaches that in the Star of David the triangle that points upwards symbolizes the masculine side of God; the one pointing down personifies the feminine side of God or Mother Nature.

In addition, they consider that the superposition of the triangles constitutes the qualities of a single God, who is neither male nor female; and the state of meditation where there is a perfect balance between the human being and the divine.

The Star of David continues to represent for its believers a magical symbol full of pride and identity towards the spiritual; and the most vivid embodiment of the approach to the Supreme Being.