Star (symbol)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The star, as an ideograph, most commonly represents the astronomical star for which it is named.
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[edit] Emblematic use
In heraldry the star is the ensign of knightly rank, and every order of knighthood incorporates this symbol in some way. It has also been used as a mark of cadency for the third son.
In Christian art St Bruno bears a star on his breast; Saint Dominic, Saint Humbert and Saint Peter of Alcantara have a star on their head or forehead.[1]
A number of stars in a row can indicate a scale of varying quality, the more stars the higher the quality.
In heraldry a mullet is a star with five or less commonly six points. A star with wavy rather than straight rays is called an estoile.
The star with six (or less commonly five) points is associated with law and order in the United States, and forms the basis of the sherrif's badge.
[edit] Five-pointed stars
The five-pointed star, if drawn with points of equal length and angles of 36° at each point, is sometimes termed a golden five pointed star.[2] If the colinear edges are joined together a pentagram is produced, which is the simplest of the unicursal star polygons, and a symbol of mystical and magical significance.
The golden five-pointed star is a very common ideogram in the western world, and has particularly strong associations with military power and war. Many communist countries (such as China and Vietnam) and symbols (the hammer and sickle) also incorporate five-pointed stars.
 The Star and Crescent of Kappa Sigma |
The five-pointed star appears in the flags of 35 countries, and is thought to have first appeared in 1777 on the flag of the newly declared United States of America. It also appears commonly in the heraldry of the United States, and stands in contrast to the vexillologically rarer seven-pointed star.
The five-pointed star occurs in conjunction with a crescent in the flags of several countries to symbolise Islam, appearing for example as part of the symbol of the Ottoman Empire.
In philately the five-pointed star signifies stamps that have not been postmarked.
In ancient times, the five-pointed star represented the symbol of distraction.
Satanism also has an upside down five point star with a goat's head on the inside of it.
[edit] Six-pointed stars
Several varieties of six-pointed stars are used in Western culture:
- If the colinear edges of a regular six-pointed star are connected, so that two interlaced triangles are formed, a symbol results that is variously known as the hexagram, Star of David, or Shield of David (Magen David). This symbol is most commonly associated with Judaism; it is also used in Christianity, but on a less frequent basis.
- The six-pointed Marian Star is a symbol used by Roman Catholics to portray celestial objects, particularly in relation to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
- German and German-American hex signs and barn stars often incorporate both five- and six-pointed stars as central themes.
Apart from the foresaid mentions, six-pointed star formations are rare as an ideograph in Western cultures except in the case of law enforcement badges.[3] In astrology some formations of a six-pointed star can signify fixed stars. In some rare instances it can signify the date of birth on a gravestone, synonymous with the five-point star.
[edit] Seven-pointed stars
[edit] Political
 Flag of Australia |
 Flag of the Cherokee Nation |
A seven-pointed star appears in the flag and heraldic symbolism of Australia. In the Australian context, the seven points represent the six states of Australia (one each) plus one for the combined territories. The seven-pointed stars stand in contrast to the vexillologically more conventional five-pointed stars.
The Seal of the Cherokee Nation has an acute gold seven-pointed star in its seal.
[edit] Heptagram
A heptagram or septagram is a seven-pointed star drawn with seven straight strokes. There are two kinds of heptagrams:
- Acute heptagram, the {7/3} star polygon.
- Obtuse heptagram, the {7/2} star polygon.
[edit] References
- ^ Brewer, E. Cobham. The Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Ware, Hertfordshire: Wordsworth Editions Ltd. ISBN 1-85326-300-1.
- ^ The fivepointed star from Liungman, Carl G. (2004). Symbols: Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms. HME Publishing. ISBN 91-972705-0-4. . Retrieved 19 July 2006.
- ^ The sixpointed star from Liungman, Carl G. (2004). Symbols: Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms. HME Publishing. ISBN 91-972705-0-4. . Retrieved 19 July 2006.
