The hexagonal star, known as the Star of David since ancient times, is a symbol that has been intensively researched among symbols and has various meanings. This symbol has been interpreted in different ways by people living in different geographies and belonging to various cultures.
The meaning of the Star of David has gained different meanings with the birth of religions. This symbol is accepted and has an important place in the religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Under the influence of religions, this symbol has been associated with different religious beliefs and identified with various meanings.
The Emergence of the Star of David Symbol
Shield of David This symbol, also known as , has been the national symbol of the Jews since the 1000s BC. The Hebrew word “magen” comes from the same root as words meaning defense, such as “hagana” or “lehagen,” and means “protector” and “defender.” With the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, the Shield of David on the Israeli flag started to be used.
According to the legend, King of Israel Hz. DavidHe prepares before fighting his enemy Nimrod. In this preparation, it is necessary to attach a shield behind which two triangles meet. At the most critical moment of the battle, the triangles come together to form a star symbol, allowing King David to win. After this event, the symbol that protected King David was the Shield of David (Magen David) or Star of David It is called.
In the Middle Ages, the six-pointed star was seen as a talisman that protected from evil. This symbol, called the Star of David by Jews and Christians, is called the Star of David by Muslims. Seal of Solomon he said. This symbol was used as a talisman, believing that it would protect from evil and various dangers. During the Ottoman period, there was a widespread belief that the person who wore the Star of David would be protected.
This symbol is interpreted in different ways in different geographies and cultures of the world, and has various meanings, especially from a religious perspective.
The Importance and Meaning of the Star of David in Jews
The Shield of David has been used by many religious people for centuries as it is considered a universal symbol of Judaism. Jews use this symbol on graves has used. After the French Revolution, Jews became able to express their religious identity more freely, and this led to the development of the Shield of David. Cross of Christians or Crescent of Muslims It allowed it to be openly used as a religious symbol.
Some Orthodox Jewish groups oppose the use of the hexagram as a Jewish symbol due to its association with the supernatural. Some Haredi groups, such as Neturei Karta and Satmar, also use the symbol. Zionism symbol They reject it on the grounds that it is.
However, today modern Orthodox synagogues and some synagogues belonging to other groups openly display the Israeli flag with the Shield of David at the synagogue entrance along with Torah scrolls. This shows that the symbol continues to be widely accepted in the context of expressing religious identity and beliefs.
In Judaism, the meaning that Kabbalah attributes to the symbol is particularly important. Kabala, relates the Star of David to seven emotional points, including the center of the star. The six points represent harmony, kindness, perseverance, nobility, seriousness and greatness, while the center of the star symbolizes solidity.
Star or Shield of David, according to some Jewish sources the number seven Represent. This symbol is from the oldest Jewish text, Judah Hadassi, called Eshkol Ha-Kofer and dates back to the 12th century. The names of seven angels are listed in the text, and the symbol associated with each is called the “Shield of David.” The number seven is important in Judaism; because it is believed that God created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh day.
While working six days a week, the seventh day (sabbath day) is reserved for rest. It is also believed that God has seven spirits, and there are seven branches of the Menorah in the ancient Tabernacle Tabernacle and the Jerusalem Temple. For this reason, the Star of David became a central symbol in synagogues, possibly symbolizing the 3+3+1 arrangement of the Menorah in the ancient temple.
Although the origin of the emblem is not known for certain, some hypotheses have been put forward. According to one hypothesis, the symbol takes its shape from the word “David”. In Hebrew, the word David is written with three letters (דוד). The letter D is read as “dalet” and is similar to the Greek “delta”. These two letters resemble a triangle in shape. Possibly, the Star of David may have been a family emblem created by turning one of these letters upside down and placing it on top of the other.
Some researchers 6 pointed star (of the hexagram) astrologically birth of David or they claimed that it symbolized his election as king. Hexagram in astrologyKing’s Starknown as “and ZoroastrianismIt is an important astrological symbol. The earliest archaeological evidence for the use of this symbol in Judaism is a 7th-century BC inscription attributed to Joshua ben Asayahu, found in Sidon, Lebanon.
Shield of David, II. It was a symbol forcibly used by the Nazi administration to recognize and distinguish Jews during World War II, especially during the Holocaust. With the occupation of Poland by Nazi Germany in 1939, Jews were required to wear signs indicating their identity. The most well-known of these signs was a yellow badge with the word “Jew” written on it.
Meanings of the Star of David in Other Religions
Although the Star of David is generally associated with Israel and Judaism, it also has a special place in Christianity and Islam. The association of King David with the symbol is also valued in Christianity and Islam to a much broader extent than Judaism. King David is considered a protective figure and is called the Star of David because the six-pointed star symbol represents the protective power of him and his people.
In Christianity, According to Orthodox belief, this symbol represents God’s creation of the world. Others believe that the symbol symbolizes the unity of the Old and New Testaments. Some Christian churches have the Star of David at the top of the cross. Many Christian theologians associate this symbol with the Morning Star; The Morning Star is known as a figure that removes sins, evil intentions and death.
Symbol in Islam Seal of Solomon It is called. in the Quran Hz. SuleimanIn the chapters about his life, a seal with a hexagonal star is mentioned. Hz. It is believed that Solomon controlled the wind, demons and animals through this symbol. During the Ottoman period, this symbol was widely used in palaces, mosques, books and various other places.
The Star of David symbol can be found in some important mosques prominent in Islamic architecture. For example, in Üsküdar Northern gate of Valide Sultan Mosque, Selimiye Mosque and Bursa Ulu MosqueThis symbol can often be seen in the decorations of historical buildings such as the doors of . The use of the symbol is frequently seen in the architectural details and decorations of these mosques.
According to Islamic belief, Hz. Adam brought three things from heaven and one of them Seal of Solomon It is known as. The Seal of Solomon is accepted by all religions with heavenly beliefs. This symbol has been seen as a talisman of wisdom, abundance, power and protection from all kinds of evil. Hz. This seal, which is believed to have enabled Solomon to rule over many things, was given to Prophet Muhammad in heaven. It is believed to belong to Adam. Later, this seal of Gabriel was given to Hz. There is also the belief that he gave to Solomon. This symbol was used by many different cultures and religions before the Jews adopted it as a symbol.
Hz. Seal of Solomon and Prophet Muhammad. Differences of Opinion on the Star of David
Hz. With the seal of Solomon, Hz. There are different opinions about the relationship between the Star of David. Some scholars talk about the existence of copies bearing the seal of Prophet Solomon and books of Islamic scholars. However, the Israeli Flag hexagonal There are disagreements about a direct connection between the star and the seal of Solomon. Because the seal of Prophet Solomon was also used in the Seljuk period in history. octagonal It has a structure. The eight-cornered structure has different meanings attributed to each corner.
However, the symbol in the Israeli Flag is six-pointed and has no direct relationship with the eight-corner symbol. In the past, some people, especially in childhood, believed that this symbol was associated with Freemasons or Judaism. However, today’s investigations show that the symbol in the Israeli Flag is six-pointed, while the symbol used in the Seljuk and Ottoman periods is eight-pointed. For this reason, it is expressed that these symbols are different from each other and should be separated.
