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ON THE LEFT: Star of David (n.) - A symbol consisting of two OVERLAPPED triangles
ON THE RIGHT: Solomon's Seal (n.) - A symbol consisting of two INTERLACED triangles
 |
| Notice how the
Star of David's 2-dimensional triangles are 'overlapped' while the Seal
of Solomon's 3-dimensional triangles are drawn to appear 'interlaced',
like clothing threads. |
According to legend, King Solomon supposedly took the rather simple,
two-dimensional Star of David he inherited from his Royal father and
managed to improve upon it by having the two opposite triangles appear
as if they were interwoven with one another. A rather interesting take
on the very real differences between the Star of David and the Seal of
Solomon reads as follows:
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Uniting the Water Triangle [facing downwards] with the Fire Triangle
[facing upwards], the Hexagram is formed. It forms a six pointed star
also known as the Seal of Solomon. This symbol is a [different type of]
Star of David, the national symbol of Israel (God's chosen nation). The
difference between the Star of David and the seal [of Solomon] is the triangles which make up the seal [Solomon] interlock and the two triangles of the Star of David lie flat against each other.
- Hexagram, TheForbiddenKnowledge.com
 |
| A Green Earth Symbol, Yellow Air Symbol, Black and White Star of David, then a Blue Water Symbol, and a Red Fire Symbol |
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The traditional understanding that the Star of David and the Seal of
Solomon have fundamental differences in both their origins and visual
appearances, seems to have been nearly lost in modern times. What's most
frustrating is that more a few modern dictionaries have gotten the
essential differences between these two distinct types of hexagrams
completely wrong, thus misleading everybody. So, readers should take
careful note right now that the symbol seen on top of the Pope's head
is, to be completely accurate, not a Star of David, but a Seal of
Solomon instead. The biggest visual clue is the way that the Seal of
Solomon's triangular lines look like they are either above or beneath
one another without ever truly intersecting. Apparently, this was never
the case with the Star of David. To be specific, King David used the
symbol as a short form of his written signature and as a battle insignia
painted on the shields of his fellow Israelite soldiers. In both cases,
the iconographic complexity seen in the Seal of Solomon was never
really needed and therefore never developed. In contrast, the Seal of
Solomon was thought to have been an actual Royal Seal used throughout
King Solomon's reign, a hand-held device which stamped an image upon
either a puddle of wax, or clay, or even a form of paper made with
animal skins. These Seals were usually custom-made by professional
artists and were thus far more complex in appearance than any written
signature or hand-drawn war emblem.
|
| Notice how it
requires far more artistic ability to draw (or create) the Seal of
Solomon on the Right, rather than the simple, child-like Star of David
on the Left. |
In truth, one could say that both symbols were simply different versions
of the Star of David. However, the Seal of Solomon has always been
depicted with three-dimensional, interwoven (or interlaced) triangles.
It is most unfortunate that literally no one these days really knows, or
even cares, about what a Seal of Solomon actually is anyway. However,
for the sake of precision, one should define the Star of David as being
comprised of OVERLAPPING triangles, just as the Seal of Solomon
(Solomon's Seal)should always have the appearance of INTERLACED (or
INTERWOVEN) triangles instead. The actual, and factually correct,
dictionary definitions of these two emblems are listed below:
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Star of David (n.) -
A symbol consisting of two OVERLAPPED
equilateral triangles forming a star with six points, used as a symbol
of Judaism. It is also called Magen David, Mogen David, and Shield of
David, and is shaped identically to the hexagram and Solomon's seal. It
is used on the flag of the modern state of Israel.
- Collaborative International Dictionary of English, Dictionary.net
Solomon's Seal (n.) -
A mystic symbol consisting of two
INTERLACED triangles forming a star with six points, often with one
triangle dark and one light, symbolic of the union of soul and body. It
is shaped identically to the hexagram and Star of David, distinguished
only in its usage.
- Collaborative International Dictionary of English, Dictionary.net
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Among the various myths and legends concerning this age-old Biblical
symbol, two of them stand out in particular. The first one concerns the
reasons behind why the hexagram was ever called a star (or shield),
while the second story explains the intricate three-dimensional pattern
seen on the Seal of Solomon, but usually never with the Star of David.
Now as to why the hexagram was ever called a Star, the main reason
should be quite obvious to most observers. As nearly everybody would
agree, the six-pointed shape itself bear a striking visual resemblance
to the twinkling effect one experiences when looking directly at either a
star, or the sun, through a somewhat hazy atmosphere.
Twinkle (Upward Triangle), Twinkle (Downward Triangle) little star, how I wonder what you are (Star of David). Up above the world so high (Upward Triangle), like a diamond in the sky (Downward Triangle)...
- An interpretation of the song 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star'
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| A Ragtag Collections of Triangles and Hexagrams |
There is also a Biblical reason why the hexagram has been called a star
and it concerns a certain, obscure prophecy found in the Book of
Numbers. Keeping in mind that this was written long before King David
was ever born, the relevant verse talks about an unknown future leader
of Israel who will rise to power and go on to defeat the traditional
enemies of the Israelites- the Moabites for example. This future hero is
metaphorically described as 'a Star' which 'shall come forth from
Jacob', obviously meaning a yet-to-born descendant from the one of the
twelve tribes of Israel. Because of the importance of the Davidic
Kingdom, quite a few scholars claim this passage from Numbers should be
seen as a direct reference to the later military success and subsequent
rule of King David. Indeed, David official founding of the Kingdom of
Israel in Jerusalem was the first event of extreme significance which
had occurred in Israel since the time period recorded in the Book of
Numbers. Yet the question remains as to why the hexagram, rather than
David himself, is the 'Star' mentioned in Scriptures. The best, and
probably only correct answer to this is that the original Star of David
served as his personalized signature- comprised of two triangular Hebrew
letters written on top of each other with one of them turned upside
down. In short, the hexagram was simply a uniquely clever way David
wrote the first and last initials to his own name. Therefore, the claim
that the six-pointed hexagram used for David's name was also a perfect
symbolic representation of the Biblically prophesied 'Star' of 'Jacob'
happens to be fairly logical, at least in a metaphorical sense. Also,
because the Bible just so happens to be filled to the brim with
metaphors, this legendary explanation may indeed be the real truth
behind the origins of the six-pointed Star.
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STAR OF DAVID: I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A STAR
shall come forth from Jacob. A scepter shall rise from Israel and shall
crush the corners of Moab, and destroy all the sons of Sheth.
- Numbers 24:17
SEAL OF SOLOMON: Place me like a SEAL upon your heart, like a SEAL
on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as
the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
- Song of Solomon 8:6
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Now it is time to turn to the Judeo/Christian legends surrounding the
Seal of Solomon and the reason behind the change in name. First, as
previously mentioned, the more complex looking six-pointed star with
interwoven triangles was Solomon's way of improving upon his father
David's original design for their family coat-of-arms. This
three-dimensional hexagram was also a far more appropriate insignia for a
King of Israel and his Royal family to have as their personal seal.
Even so, there was also a deeper, more profound reason behind the
interwoven appearance of the Seal of Solomon's two interlaced triangles.
Apparently, this specific design served as a visual talisman providing
spiritual protection and control against the forces of evil. Not only
was the Seal thought to ward against, or scare off, demons and other
evil spirits, it also helped to trap, contain, and control them- thus
rendering them harmless to mere mortals.
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THE REVELATION: 'The triangles which make up the
Seal [of Solomon] interlock and the two
triangles of the
Star of David lie flat against each other.' (www.theforbiddenknowledge.com)
 |
| The Star of
David's Triangles pictured on the Left 'lie flat against each other'.
while on the Right, the Seal of Solomon's Triangles 'interlock'. |
To truly understand how and why this worked, notice how the Seal's
interlaced lines have an eerie, maze-like appearance to them, going back
and forth, above and behind each other, in a ceaseless, never-ending
pattern. This infinite sense of complexity was said to cause
disorientation and utter confusion in any demon who dared to look
directly at the symbol. More than two thousand years later, the Medieval
Christians (as well as Jews) also put their trust in the Seal of
Solomon, believing it provided ample protection from the forces of
darkness. Three different online sources confirm the 'magical' history
of this symbol:
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The hexagram, as the Seal of Solomon, is generally...believed
to have protective powers and magical properties...[It] has a long
history of providing protection from demons and evil spirits. In some
magical practices, it is associated with exorcisms.
- Who Knew Two Triangles Could Do So Much?: The Hexagram, by Rebecca, Themagicalbuffet.com
The Seal of Solomon dates back to the Bronze Ages and is a
powerful symbol with many mystical and magickal qualities...the Seal of
Solomon is believed to offer protection against both enemies and the
evil eye, control spirits, and bring good luck in all aspects of life.
- Seal of Solomon, Amulet Power, Angelfire.com
In the middle Ages it was common to find amulets and talismans which reproduced the Seal of Solomon...It
was believed that these magic drawings protected the wearer from the
influence of demons and evil spirits, or just bad luck. It was also
common to record the seal on a frame or lintel of the entrance door to
homes...with the same protective character against the spirits or to
potential fires.
- The Hexagram, Star of David or Seal of Solomon, Looking4thetruth77.blogspot.com
 |
| An Assortment
of Flags and Diagrams showing how Earth, Air, Water, and Fire triangles
are placed together to form the Star of David, a symbol representing the
entirety of Creation, both Heaven and Earth, and all that is in them. |
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One might apt to conclude that both the form and function of the Seal of
Solomon were in perfectly alignment, thus explaining the legendary
spiritual powers this symbol was believed to possess. These days,
Christians (and Jews) are free to choose to believe or disbelieve in its
significance, yet even today, in the 21st century, the Seal's actual
power over the minds of men (and women) has yet to disappear completely.
Indeed, look at the dozens and dozens, perhaps even hundreds, if not
thousands, of modern, educated adults who still use this symbol to
practice magic and/or witchcraft. Even if one doesn't believe in any
magic whatsoever, there still has to be a reason why so many fellow
humans have such an on-going obsession with this one particular
geometric shape. as if by its very appearance the supernatural will then
become possible. A more balanced view concerning the power of the Star
of David/Seal of Solomon can be found in the Catholic Church of today.
Mentioning the Star of David by name, it reads as follows:
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The magi's coming to Jerusalem in order to pay homage to the king
of the Jews shows that they seek in Israel, in the messianic light of
the STAR OF DAVID, the one who will be king of the nations. Their
coming means that pagans can discover Jesus and worship him as Son of
God and Savior of the world only by turning towards the Jews and
receiving from them the messianic promise as contained in the Old
Testament.
- Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church
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In conclusion, the actual history of the hexagram in terms of the
Judeo/Christian tradition indicates that the Star of David/Seal of
Solomon appears to be in complete agreement with a fairly long and
extensive history of Christian use. Hopefully, Christian respect and
admiration for this particular emblem will extend itself into an open
friendliness, rather than hostility, towards those who still practice
and believe in Judaism. Christian Gentiles must come to realize that,
even today, the Jews are part of Jesus Christ's real family, for He
really was born a Jew and He really did die a Jew. As such, this symbol
represents both Him and them, meaning the non-Christian Jew is not
simply just the 'Other', the Jew is also a Christian's brother.
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