Pentagram

Pentagram
Sarang · Public domain · source
Name	Pentagram
Caption	A regular pentagram
Alt	A five-pointed star drawn with five straight lines

Pentagram. A pentagram is a five-pointed star polygon, formed by connecting the vertices of a regular pentagon and drawing a line from every other vertex. It is one of the most ancient and widespread symbolic marks in human history, appearing across diverse cultures from Mesopotamia to Ancient Greece. The symbol carries a vast array of meanings, from mathematical perfection and divine proportion to protection, magic, and, in modern contexts, often Satanism.

History and origins

The earliest known examples of the pentagram date back to around 3000 BCE in Mesopotamia, where it appeared on pottery and may have represented celestial bodies or imperial power. It was used symbolically in Ancient Egypt and by the Pythagoreans in Ancient Greece, for whom it held deep mathematical and mystical significance as a symbol of health and the universe. The symbol was later adopted in Medieval Europe, notably appearing in the seals and coats of arms of King Solomon and the city of Jerusalem in Christian iconography, often as a protective emblem against evil. During the Renaissance, it was studied by figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, who linked it to the classical elements and the human form.

Symbolism and meaning

The pentagram is a profoundly polysemous symbol, its meaning heavily dependent on cultural and historical context. In its upright orientation, it has commonly represented harmony, the human microcosm, and protection, famously illustrated in Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa's depiction of a man within the star. The inverted pentagram, with two points upward, has historically been associated with the descent of spirit into matter but in the 19th and 20th centuries was reinterpreted to symbolize the subversion of spiritual order. This duality makes it a central icon in both Western esotericism and modern occultism, where its orientation dictates its perceived spiritual alignment, from the Golden Dawn to contemporary Wicca.

Usage in religion and occultism

In Christianity, the pentagram was used for centuries to symbolize the Five Wounds of Christ and was a common protective charm against demons. Within modern paganism, particularly Wicca as established by Gerald Gardner, the upright pentagram represents the classical elements (earth, air, fire, water) crowned by spirit and is a central symbol of faith and ritual. Conversely, the Church of Satan, founded by Anton LaVey in 1966, adopted the inverted pentagram circumscribed by a Baphomet goat head as its primary sigil, cementing its association with Satanism in the popular imagination. Other esoteric traditions, including Thelema as developed by Aleister Crowley, also employ the symbol in complex ritual magic.

In popular culture

The pentagram's potent symbolism has made it a staple in modern media, often shorthand for the occult, magic, or evil. It features prominently in horror films like *The Exorcist* and *The Omen*, heavy metal music iconography used by bands such as Slayer and Venom, and in fantasy literature and games like *Dungeons & Dragons*. This widespread usage often simplifies its complex history, reinforcing its association with Satanic panic and rebellion against mainstream Christianity. Its appearance in television series from *Charmed* to *Supernatural* further entrenches it as a pop culture symbol of supernatural power.

Mathematical properties

Mathematically, the pentagram is a fascinating construct deeply intertwined with the golden ratio (φ). The ratio of the length of a regular pentagram's line segments (the edges of the inner pentagon to the surrounding isosceles triangles) is φ, or approximately 1.618. This ratio appears repeatedly in its geometry and is linked to the Fibonacci sequence. The pentagram is also a self-intersecting polygon known as a pentagrammic polygon, and it is the simplest regular star polygon. Its construction was a problem of classical geometry studied by Euclid in his *Elements*, and its properties have intrigued mathematicians from Pythagoras to Johannes Kepler.

Category:Symbols Category:Occult symbols Category:Geometric shapes