A pagan symbol refers to a symbol that represents beliefs, rituals, practices, or deities associated with pagan or pre-Christian religions. Paganism encompasses a broad range of beliefs and traditions that existed prior to the advent of Christianity, including various polytheistic religions and nature-based spiritual practices. Pagan symbols can take many forms, including icons, emblems, amulets, or signs, and each symbol holds its own specific meaning or purpose within its respective tradition. These symbols often embody the essence of nature, fertility, and the cycles of life and death. Many pagan symbols incorporate celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, stars, or planets, to represent cosmic forces and the interconnectedness of the universe. One well-known pagan symbol is the pentacle or pentagram, which consists of a five-pointed star enclosed within a circle.

pentagram

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• Wolfram MathWorld - Pentagram
• Academia - Symbolic Analysis of The Pentagram
• Learn Religion - Pentagrams Meaning

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• Wolfram MathWorld - Pentagram
• Academia - Symbolic Analysis of The Pentagram
• Learn Religion - Pentagrams Meaning

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

pentagram, a five-pointed star, usually drawn by using one continuous line of five straight segments. It has been used throughout history as a symbol, often in magic or the occult. Its meaning has varied wildly over time, and it has functioned as a symbol of protection, of perfection, of the Devil, and of humanity, among others. Mathematically, the segments of the pentagram exhibit the golden ratio, which perhaps makes the figure especially aesthetically pleasing.

The pentagram has been in use for thousands of years. In ancient times it was featured in tombs and seals of Egypt and Mesopotamia and coins of Greece. The pentagram was a symbol of the Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras and his disciples, probably in part as a way for followers to recognize each other. Some sources say the Pythagoreans regarded it as a symbol of health and knowledge, and in some depictions the Greek letters for the word “health” are placed at its points. It may also have been used by the Greeks and others generally as a symbol to ward off evil, and it has been seen in pottery of the ancient kingdom of Judaea, maybe as a mark of tax collectors.

In the Middle Ages in Europe, pentagrams were used as a symbol of the five knightly virtues. In the poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the titular Sir Gawain wears a golden pentagram on both his shawl and his shield as a mark of his virtue, loyalty, and kindness. Pentagrams were also used to defend against witches, evil spirits, and demons.

Tetragrammaton pentagram, image from the 1910 American edition of Transcendental Magic, Its Doctrine and Ritual, written by French occultist Éliphas Lévi. (more)

In the 16th century, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim published a version of the pentagram that symbolized man as a perfected work of God, with head, hands, and feet representing the five points and symbols of the five (known) planets around them. The French occultist Éliphas Lévi in the 19th century expanded on this concept with the “ tetragrammaton pentagram,” which includes a variety of symbols that represent human existence. In addition to planetary and astrological symbols, this pentagram includes symbols of the four elements and Hebrew letters. The pentagram was also used by the Freemasons, who sometimes placed a G in the centre for gnosis, generation, and the Grand Architect. A history of the Freemasons from the late 19th century notes the variety of uses—as a symbol of man, a demon, protection, magic, and others.

Pentagrams have also been used in a variety of religious contexts. Among Muslims the pentagram is known as Solomon’s seal, and its five points are regarded in at least one tradition as representing love, truth, peace, freedom, and justice, respectively. It is also the official symbol of the Bahāʾī Faith, though not its most prevalent. For the Bahāʾī it is sometimes called the haykal, which means “temple” or “body” in Arabic. Among Christians it has symbolized the five wounds of Christ—his hands and feet punctured by the Crucifixion and his side pierced by a soldier’s spear—as well as the Star of Bethlehem and Christ himself.

In modern times the pentagram is most often associated with Neo-Pagan religions, especially Wicca. It is often depicted enclosed in a circle, a symbol known as a pentacle. In these traditions the five points often represent the five elements of air, fire, water, earth, and spirit. For Wiccans the pentagram may also symbolize masculine and feminine, or the Triple Goddess (three points) and the Horned God (two points). Many Neo-Pagans consider the pentagram a symbol of protection and may use it to invoke or banish spirits. The pentacle is the approved symbol of the Wiccan faith to be used on headstones in U.S. government cemeteries.

Sometimes the inverted figure of the pentagram, with two points facing upward and one facing down, is associated with negative or “black” magic and devil worship. Indeed, the inverted pentagram figures in the sigil of Baphomet, one of the main symbols of the Church of Satan, an atheistic organization that evokes in its imagery the Devil as viewed in Christianity but does not worship any god or being or require that its members perform any rituals, magical or otherwise. The sigil of Baphomet depicts a goat with its horns in the upturned points of the star. This likely stems from the 19th-century European revival of occult studies, during which time it was held that a pentagram with one point facing upward symbolized ascendance, God, and supremacy of the spirit and a pentagram with one point facing downward symbolized Satan, infernalism (everlasting torment), and descent of the spirit. This is perhaps why in Wicca the pentagram is most often depicted with one point facing upward.

Pagan Symbols of the Picts

Stuart McHardy examines the Pictish symbols which have been discovered on various items across Scotland. The book sets out a cohesive interpretation of the Pictish past, using a variety of both temporal and geographical sources. This interpretation serves as a backdrop for his analysis of the symbols themselves, providing a context for his suggestion that there was an underlying series of ideas and beliefs behind the creation of the symbols.

Избранные страницы

Содержание

CHAPTER TWO Pictish Symbolism

CHAPTER THREE Dating

CHAPTER SIX The Symbol Stones

Geometric Shapes

CHAPTER SEVEN PreChristian Religion in Scotland

Pictish Photo Art by Nick Simpson

Другие издания - Просмотреть все

The Pagan Symbols of the Picts
Stuart McHardy
Недоступно для просмотра - 2012

Часто встречающиеся слова и выражения

Об авторе (2020)

Stuart McHardy is a writer, musician, folklorist, storyteller and poet, and has lectured on many aspects of Scottish history and culture both in Scotland and abroad. Combining the roles of scholar and performer gives McHardy an unusually clear insight into tradition. As happy singing old ballads as analysing ancient legends, he has held such posts as Director of the Scots Language Resource Centre and President of the Pictish Arts Society. McHardy is a prolific author, and has had several books published. McHardy lives in Edinburgh with his wife Sandra.

Библиографические данные

Origin and History of the Cross,
a Pagan Symbol

Many people regard the cross as a symbol of Christianity, but it is originally a pagan idol. Long before Christianity was formed, the cross had been used as a symbol of pagan religions. The New Testament written in the Apostolic Age has no record of the cross as a symbol of church; rather, the apostles rejected the worship of idols and taught that the wicked idolaters will not inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Co 6:9–10). Nevertheless, how did the cross come to be firmly established in the church?

One well-known pagan symbol is the pentacle or pentagram, which consists of a five-pointed star enclosed within a circle. The pentacle is often associated with modern pagan or Wiccan traditions and represents the five elements – earth, air, fire, water, and spirit – and their harmonious balance. It is also a symbol of protection and is sometimes used as an amulet or talisman.

Origin of the Cross

The cross is not a symbol of faith which first appeared after the crucifixion of Jesus, but originated from ancient Babylon.

“The shape of the latter [cross] had its origin in ancient Chaldea, and was used as the symbol of the god Tammuz (being in the shape of the mystic Tau, the initial of his name) in that country and in adjacent lands, including Egypt.” W. E. Vine, “Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words”, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996, 138p

Chaldea was the central territory of Babylon. In Babylon, “T,” the initial of the name Tammuz, was used as a religious symbol to worship him. This was propagated to neighboring countries, and the cross is found in the relics of ancient countries such as Egypt and Assyria. The custom of worshiping the cross continued even after the Roman Empire was established.

Another widely recognized pagan symbol is the triquetra, also known as the Trinity Knot. This symbol consists of three interconnected loops that form a triangular shape. The triquetra is often associated with Celtic paganism and represents unity, eternity, and the interconnectedness of the natural world. The tree of life is another significant pagan symbol. It represents the connection between the physical and spiritual realms, with its roots grounded in the earth and its branches reaching towards the heavens. The tree of life symbolizes growth, renewal, and the cycles of nature. Other pagan symbols include the triple moon, representing the phases of the moon and the stages of a woman's life; the spiral, symbolizing spiritual growth and transformation; and the wheel of the year, which depicts the eight solar holidays or sabbats celebrated in paganism. It is important to note that pagan symbols can hold different meanings and interpretations across various pagan traditions and practices. Additionally, some pagan symbols have been co-opted or adopted by other religious or cultural groups, further adding to their complexity and significance..

Reviews for "The Influence of Pagan Symbols on Art and Design: From Ancient Times to Postmodernism"

1. Jenny - 2 stars - The movie "Pagan Symbol" was a complete disappointment. The storyline was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in any of the characters. Additionally, the pacing was all over the place, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others felt rushed and underdeveloped. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances that lacked depth and emotion. Overall, "Pagan Symbol" failed to deliver an engaging and enjoyable movie-watching experience. I would not recommend it.

2. Mike - 1 star - I found "Pagan Symbol" to be an absolute waste of time. The plot was filled with clichés and predictable twists, leaving no room for surprise or excitement. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters on any meaningful level. The visual effects were also lackluster and poorly executed, further diminishing the overall quality of the film. I had high hopes for "Pagan Symbol," but unfortunately, it fell short in almost every aspect. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Pagan Symbol" had an interesting concept, but the execution was lackluster. The film seemed more focused on shock value and excessive violence rather than developing a compelling narrative. The character development was shallow and unrealistic, making it hard to empathize with any of the protagonists. The movie also relied heavily on jump scares, which quickly became predictable and less effective as the story progressed. While "Pagan Symbol" had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver a satisfying viewing experience.

The Sacred Geometry of Pagan Symbols: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe