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| Regular hexagram | |
|---|---|
.svg) A regular hexagram | |
| Type | Regular polygonal figure |
| Edges andvertices | 6 |
| Schläfli symbol | a{6}, {6/2}, 2{3} or {{3}} |
| Coxeter–Dynkin diagrams |    or |
| Symmetry group | Dihedral (D6) |
| Internal angle (degrees) | 60° |
| Properties | star,compound,cyclic,equilateral,isogonal,isotoxal |
| Dual polygon | self |
| Star polygons |
|---|
Ahexagram (Greek) orsexagram (Latin) is a six-pointed geometricstar figure with theSchläfli symbol {6/2}, 2{3}, or {{3}}. The term is used to refer to a compound figure of twoequilateral triangles. The intersection is a regularhexagon.
The hexagram is part of an infinite series of shapes which are compounds of two n-dimensionalsimplices. In three dimensions,the analogous compound is thestellated octahedron, and in four dimensions thecompound of two 5-cells is obtained.
It has been historically used in various religious and cultural contexts and as decorative motifs. The symbol was used as a decorative motif in medieval Christian churches and Jewish synagogues.[1] In the medieval period, a Muslim mystical symbol known as theSeal of Solomon was depicted as either a hexagram orpentagram.[2][3]
Inmathematics, theroot system for the simpleLie groupG2 is in the form of a hexagram, with six long roots and six short roots.
A six-pointed star, like aregular hexagon, can be created using a compass and a straight edge:
A regular hexagram can be constructed byorthographically projecting anycube onto a plane through three vertices that are all adjacent to the same vertex. The twelve midpoints to edges of the cube form a hexagram. For example, consider the projection of the unit cube with vertices at the eight possible binary vectors in three dimensions onto the plane. The midpoints are, and all points resulting from these by applying a permutation to their entries. These 12 points project to a hexagram: six vertices around the outer hexagon and six on the inner.
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As a derivative of two overlapping triangles, the hexagram may have developed from different peoples with no direct correlation to one another.
Themandala symbol calledyantra, found on ancient SouthIndianHindu temples, is a geometric toolset that incorporates hexagrams into its framework. It symbolizes thenara-narayana, or perfectmeditative state of balance achieved between Man and God, and if maintained, results in "moksha," or "nirvana" (release from the bounds of the earthly world and its material trappings).[citation needed]
Some researchers have theorized that the hexagram represents theastrological chart at the time ofDavid's birth oranointment as king. The hexagram is also known as the "King's Star" in astrological circles.[citation needed]
In antiquepapyri,pentagrams, together with stars and other signs, are frequently found onamulets bearing the Jewish names ofGod, and used to guard against fever and other diseases. Curiously the hexagram is not found among these signs. In theGreek Magical Papyri[citation needed] (Wessely, l.c. pp. 31, 112) at Paris and London there are 22 signs side by side, and a circle with twelve signs, but neither a pentagram nor a hexagram.[citation needed]
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Six-pointed stars have also been found in cosmological diagrams inHinduism,Buddhism, andJainism. The reasons behind this symbol's common appearance in Indic religions and the West are unknown. One possibility is that they have a common origin. The other possibility is that artists and religious people from several cultures independently created the hexagram shape, which is a relatively simple geometric design.
Within Indic lore, the shape is generally understood to consist of two triangles—one pointed up and the other down—locked in harmonious embrace. The two components are called "Om" and the "Hrim" in Sanskrit, and symbolize man's position between earth and sky. The downward triangle symbolizesShakti, the sacred embodiment of femininity, and the upward triangle symbolizesShiva, orAgni Tattva, representing the focused aspects of masculinity. The mystical union of the two triangles represents Creation, occurring through the divine union of male and female. The two locked triangles are also known as 'Shanmukha'—the six-faced, representing the six faces of Shiva & Shakti's progenyKartikeya. This symbol is also a part of several yantras and has deep significance in Hindu ritual worship and history.
InBuddhism, some old versions of theBardo Thodol, also known as The "Tibetan Book of the Dead", contain a hexagram with aswastika inside. It was made up by the publishers for this particular publication. In Tibetan, it is called the "origin of phenomenon" (chos-kyi 'byung-gnas). It is especially connected withVajrayogini, and forms the center part of hermandala. In reality, it is in three dimensions, not two, although it may be portrayed either way.
TheShatkona is a symbol used inHinduyantra that represents the union of both themasculine andfeminine form. More specifically it is supposed to representPurusha (the supreme being), andPrakriti (mother nature, or causal matter). Often this is represented asShiva –Shakti.[4]
Anahata or heart chakra is the fourth primarychakra, according toHinduYogic,Shakta andBuddhist Tantric traditions. InSanskrit,anahata means "unhurt, unstruck, and unbeaten".Anahata Nad refers to the Vedic concept ofunstruck sound (the sound of the celestial realm). Anahata is associated with balance, calmness, and serenity.
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The Seal of Solomon or Ring of Solomon is the legendary signet ring attributed to king Solomon in medieval mystical traditions. In mystic Jewish and Islamic lore, the ring is variously described as having given Solomon the power to command the supernatural, including shedim and jinn, and also the ability to speak with animals. Due to the proverbial wisdom of Solomon, it came to be seen as an amulet or talisman, or a symbol or character in medieval magic and Renaissance magic, occultism, and alchemy. The seal is the predecessor to the Star of David, another Jewish symbol.
TheMagen David is a generally recognized symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity and is also known colloquially as the Jewish Star or "Star of David." Its usage as a sign of Jewish identity began in the Middle Ages, though its religious usage began earlier, with the current earliest archeological evidence being a stone bearing the shield from the arch of a 3–4th century synagogue in the Galilee.
The first and the most important Armenian Cathedral of Etchmiadzin (303 AD, built by the founder of Christianity in Armenia) is decorated with many types of ornamented hexagrams and so is the tomb of an Armenian prince of the Hasan-Jalalyan dynasty of Khachen (1214 AD) in the Gandzasar Church of Artsakh.
The hexagram may be found in some Churches and stained-glass windows. In Christianity, it is sometimes called the star of creation. A very early example, noted byNikolaus Pevsner, can be found inWinchester Cathedral, England in one of the canopies of the choir stalls, circa 1308.[5]
The Star of David is also used less prominently bythe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the temples and in architecture. It symbolizes God reaching down to man and man reaching up to God, the union of Heaven and earth. It may also symbolize theTribes of Israel and friendship and their affinity towards the Jewish people. Additionally, it is sometimes used to symbolize the quorum of the twelve apostles, as in Revelation 12, wherein the Church of God is symbolized by a woman wearing a crown of twelve stars. It is also sometimes used to symbolize the Big Dipper, which points to the North Star, a symbol of Jesus Christ.
The symbol is known in Arabic asKhātem Sulaymān (Seal of Solomon;خاتم سليمان) orNajmat Dāwūd (Star of David;نجمة داوود). The "Seal of Solomon" may also be represented by a five-pointed star orpentagram.
In theQur'an, it is written that David andKing Solomon (Arabic,Suliman orSulayman) were prophets and kings, and are figures revered by Muslims. The Medieval pre-OttomanHanafiAnatolian beyliks of theKaramanids andJandarids used the star on their flag.[6] The symbol is also used on theHayreddin Barbarossa flag. Today the six-pointed star can be found inmosques and on otherArabic andIslamic artifacts.
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Inheraldry andvexillology, a hexagram is a fairly common charge employed, though it is rarely called by this name. In Germanic regions it is known simply as a "star." In English and French heraldry, however, the hexagram is known as a "mullet of six points," wheremullet is a French term for aspur rowel which is shown with five pointed arms by default unless otherwise specified. InAlbanian heraldry and vexillology, hexagram has been used sinceclassical antiquity and it is commonly referred to assixagram. The coat of arms of theHouse of Kastrioti depicts the hexagram on apile argent over the double headed eagle.
The Star of David is used in the seal and the emblem of theTheosophical Society (founded in 1875). Although it is more pronounced, it is used along with other religious symbols. These include theSwastika, theAnkh, theAum, and theOuroboros. The star of David is also known as the Seal of Solomon, which was its original name, being in regular use until around 50 years ago.
The hexagram, like thepentagram, was and is used in practices of theoccult andceremonial magic and is attributed to the 7 "old" planets outlined inastrology.
The six-pointed star is commonly used both as atalisman[7] and for conjuring spirits and spiritual forces in diverse forms ofoccult magic. In the bookThe History and Practice of Magic, Vol. 2, the six-pointed star is called the talisman of Saturn and it is also referred to as the Seal of Solomon.[8] Details are given in this book on how to make these symbols and the materials to use.
Traditionally, the Hexagram can be seen as the combination of the four elements. Fire is symbolized as an upwards pointing triangle, while Air (its elemental opposite) is also an upwards pointing triangle, but with a horizontal line through its center. Water is symbolized as a downwards pointing triangle, while Earth (its elemental opposite) is also a downwards pointing triangle, but with a horizontal line through its center. Combining the symbols of fire and water creates a hexagram (six-pointed star). The same follows when combining the symbols of air and earth. Both hexagrams combined are called a double-hexagram. Thus, a combination of the elements is created.[9]
InRosicrucian andHermetic Magic, the seven Traditional planets correspond with the angles and the center of the Hexagram as follows, in the same patterns as they appear on theSephiroth and on theTree of Life. Saturn, although formally attributed to the Sephira ofBinah, within this frame work nonetheless occupies the position ofDaath.[10]
Inalchemy, the two triangles represent the reconciliation of the opposites of fire and water.[11]
The hexagram is used as a sign forquintessence, the fifth element.[citation needed]
"The interlacing triangles or deltas symbolize the union of the two principles or forces, the active and passive, male and female, pervading the universe ... The two triangles, one white and the other black, interlacing, typify the mingling of apparent opposites in nature, darkness and light, error and truth, ignorance and wisdom, evil and good, throughout human life." – Albert G. Mackey:Encyclopedia ofFreemasonry[page needed][failed verification]
The hexagram is featured within and on the outside of manyMasonic temples as a decoration. It may have been[according to whom?] found within the structures ofKing Solomon's temple, from whichFreemasons are inspired in their philosophies and studies. Like many other symbols in Freemasonry, the deciphering of the hexagram is non-dogmatic and left to the interpretation of the individual.[citation needed]
.svg)
The figure {6/3} can be shown as a compound of threedigons.
Otherhexagrams can be constructed as a continuous path.
| Regular compounds | D2 symmetry unicursal | D3 symmetry isogonal | D3 symmetry isotoxal | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
{6/2}=2{3} | .svg) {6/3}=3{2} |  |  |  |  |  |  | |
