The symbolism of the Star of David

After traveling a long way the three wise men from the East will arrive tonight in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus and bring him incense, gold and myrrh as gifts. A star guided them all the way. Who knows if it was the David's star, symbol of the Jewish people.

Magen David, Shield of Solomon or Seal of Solomon is a hexagonal polygon formed by two equilateral triangles; they symbolize a verse highly appreciated by Jews because it expresses the relationship with God. Therefore, one triangle points up and the other down, representing the covenant sealed between God and Abraham.

Its twelve small points represent the twelve tribes of the Jewish people; the hexagon regular they enclose, the way they camped in the desert and in the center of which was the sanctuary of the priests.

In turn is a guiding star of the Jewish people towards the promised land. A symbol of Zionism.

Origins and evolution of the Star of David

Although it already appears in constructions in the third century, it was not one of the most representative symbols of Judaism but was originally used by Kabbalists for magic since it is considered a very powerful protection amulet.

According to the legends, it is related to the seal of Solomon, a magical ring with a five-pointed star that he used to control demons and in which the true name of God was inscribed. It was considered one of the symbolic expressions of the philosopher's stone.

It is also identified with a magical shield worn by the king David and that it protected him from his enemies as well as with the human soul formed by the conscious and the unconscious symbolized by the fire and the water of the equilateral triangles. It is in the Middle Ages when it began to be used in numerous objects, eventually becoming the symbol of the Jews, even forming part of their National flag. It is common to see it among non-Jews as a tattoo that protects against hexes. It is an interesting symbol, although in that case I would prefer a tattoo of the pentagram symbol that I will talk about the next day.