Wicca, a modern pagan religion, is rich in symbolism. The use of symbols is an integral part of Wiccan rituals, spells, and beliefs. These symbols hold deep meaning for practitioners and can help them connect with the divine and the energies of nature. One of the most well-known symbols in Wicca is the pentacle. It is a five-pointed star with a circle surrounding it. The five points represent the elements - earth, air, fire, water, and spirit.
The meaning of the pentagram has changed throughout history, cultures, and religions. It’s been seen as a sign for unity, evil, the elements, the divine goddess, and Satanic and Christian beliefs. Apples, flower petals, and starfish are stunning examples of the pentagram found occurring in the simple beauty of Nature.
This symbol is a hieroglyph seen in many ancient Egyptian carvings, usually held in hand by Gods and pharaohs to show how they preside over life in other words, are immortal. The Platonic Solids are sacred because their shapes consist of regular polygons with equal sides and angles, rather than irregular polygons whose sides and angles are not equal.
The five points represent the elements - earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. The circle signifies unity, wholeness, and the continuous cycle of life. The pentacle is often used as a protective symbol and is worn as jewelry or displayed on altars.
Unveiling the symbolism of Wiccan symbols
Posted by David D. on 14th Oct 2021
Wiccan Symbols – The Ultimate Guide P.2 : Pentagram Meaning and Symbolism
Pentagram Meaning and Symbolism
This Wiccan Symbol is a five-pointed star. Alternative names include the “star pentagon,” the “pentalpha,” or the “pentangle.” Sometimes it has a circle around it, but it is still a pentagram even without the circle. The word pentagram stems from the Greek, pente meaning five and gramme meaning line. The pentagram is a symbol referencing high magick in some circles.
The meaning of pentagram changes throughout history, with its definition shaded by culture and the user. It is a symbol once meaningful to the ancient Babylonians, Greeks, and Christians. Some early meanings of the pentagram appear below:
- The Pentagram is a logogram in ancient Sumerian scripts. The depiction means “cavity, nook, pitfall, hole, or angle.”
- Pherecydes of Syros, a cosmologist and thinker, wrote the Pentemychos. The word means the “five recesses, crannies, and nooks.” The term also references the “five sanctuaries or altars.” Pherecydes body of work did not survive. But, it appears in the writings of Aristotle and others. The Pentemychos describes the creation of the universe. Here, the seeds (semen symbolizing watery chaos) of Chronos (time) are planted. Pherecydes describes the origins of the cosmos as under the rule of Zeus. The cosmos is also under the rule of Earth and Chronos. All three Greek deities are timeless beings.
- The pentangle or pentagram was at one time a symbol of the five wounds of Christ.
- The early Christian understanding of the five senses.
- Some early Christians associate the pentagram with the birth of Christ. The three wise men or three Zoroastrian astrologers, use it as a symbol. It represents the Star of Bethlehem. The pentagram, thus, earns the name of the “Three Kings’ Star.”
- Ancient Chinese systems use the pentagram to represent the five elements. Rather than air, fire, water, and earth, the elements are wood, air, fire, earth, and metal in Eastern societies.
- The ancient Greeks associate the pentagram with the elements. The elements are as Matter (Earth), Energy (Fire), Fluids (Water), and The Psyche or Soul (Aether). Air is the “glue” holding all the elements together. So, it doesn’t get listed among the elements. It is an assumed, automatic presence.
- Hygiea is what the Pythagoreans call the pentagram which means “health.”
- Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher, also assigns the pentagram with symbolism. Here, he suggests the start is a figure representing the man. Two points align with the arms, two with the legs, and one with the head. This image is like later depictions of the “Vitruvian Man,” by Leonardo da Vinci.
- The symbol of the pentagram was once a secret sign of being part of the Pythagoras’ school. This is true when the organization goes underground.
- In the 1300s, the word pentangle (sic) comes into use. In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the pentagram or pentangle appears on the knight’s shield. Sir Gawain is King Arthur’s nephew, the pentangle on his shield is a golden hue resting against a rich red backdrop. The points of the pentangle signify the virtues of the knight. The knight’s virtues are piety, chivalry, chastity, courtesy, and generosity.
- The Pentagram appears in the writings of King Solomon. The five points interconnect and signify a group of five things. The pentagram represents the five joys of Mary. It signifies the five virtues of knighthood. It can represent the night’s perfection in his five senses. It also signifies his five fingers and his faith in the Five Wounds of Christ.
- Constantine, a Roman Emperor, uses a seal featuring the pentagram. He also wore an amulet with the figure on it.
- A French term might point to the time when pentacles are first worn as amulets. Pentacol is a 14th-century term signifying something worn around one’s neck. Later, in the 16th century, there’s the French term “Pentacle.” It was a word referencing necromantic practices. It also references a five-branched candlestick.
- The fifteenth-century magician, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, corresponds each pentagram point with elements.
- In the 19th century, Eliphas Levi separates the meaning of the pentacle and pentagram. If the star has one point up, the star has positive meanings (pentacle). With two points up it maintains more sinister meanings (pentagram).
- Today, Some Wiccans still use the pentagram to signify high magick, while others choose to wear the star with a single point up (pentacle) to serve as a form of magickal protection.
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Air is the element of imagination, intellect, and clarity of expression—a potent symbol of new beginnings, self-expression, and joy.
Another important symbol in Wicca is the triple moon symbol. It consists of three moons - waxing, full, and waning - enclosed within a circle. This symbol represents the phases of the moon and the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. It is closely associated with the Goddess, who is revered in Wicca as the embodiment of the feminine divine. The triple goddess symbol is another representation of the divine feminine in Wicca. It depicts three aspects of the Goddess - the maiden, the mother, and the crone. The maiden represents youth and new beginnings, the mother symbolizes fertility and nurturing, and the crone signifies wisdom and the cycle of aging. This symbol reminds Wiccans of the power and beauty of women at different stages of life. The four elements - earth, air, fire, and water - are fundamental in Wiccan beliefs and rituals. Earth represents stability and grounding, air symbolizes intellect and communication, fire signifies passion and transformation, and water represents emotions and intuition. These elemental symbols help Wiccans understand and connect with the natural forces and energies around them. The pentagram, a five-pointed star, is another significant symbol in Wicca. When the pentagram is pointed up, it represents spirituality and the connection to the divine. When it is inverted, it can represent the descent into darkness or the banishment of negative energies. The pentagram is used in Wiccan rituals to invoke protection and to harness magical energy. Other symbols commonly used in Wicca include the chalice, representing the element of water and the feminine aspect, the wand, representing the element of air and the power of manifestation, and the athame, a ritual knife representing the element of fire and the power of transformation. In conclusion, the symbols of Wicca are deeply meaningful and hold great significance for practitioners. They serve as reminders of the divine, the cycles of nature, and the power within. These symbols help Wiccans connect with the spiritual realm, harness magical energy, and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them..
Reviews for "Delving into the Sacred Symbolism of Wiccan Symbols"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Unveiling the symbolism of wiccan symbols". The author seemed to have a limited understanding of the subject matter and failed to provide any in-depth analysis or insights. The information presented in the book was too basic and lacked depth. I was hoping for a more comprehensive exploration of the symbolism, but this book left me wanting more. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a thorough understanding of Wiccan symbols.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "Unveiling the symbolism of wiccan symbols" to be incredibly dull and poorly written. The author's language was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult for me to comprehend the information being presented. Additionally, the book lacked any engaging visuals or illustrations to support the content. The overall structure of the book was disjointed and did not flow well, which made it even more challenging to follow. I regret purchasing this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Alex - 2/5 - As someone who has a basic understanding of Wiccan symbols, I was disappointed by how shallow "Unveiling the symbolism of wiccan symbols" was. It felt like the author relied heavily on surface-level explanations without delving into the deeper meaning and significance behind the symbols. I was hoping for a more comprehensive exploration of each symbol's origins, history, and practical applications, but this book failed to deliver. It might be useful for absolute beginners, but for anyone with even a basic understanding of Wiccan symbols, this book is lacking.