2006-07-31 17:16:16 · 13 answers · asked by crimson_tears_of_the_goddess 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
not for much that will last
2006-07-31 17:19:15 · answer #1 · answered by Tim 47 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can mean any number of things, depending on your tradition. For me, the pentagram is the five pointed intersecting star, as opposed to the pentacle, which is a pentagram enclosed in a circle. Pentagram + circle = penta-cle. (though I've heard many people describe the physical representation as pentacle, and the drawn reprsentation as a pentgram)
I believe that the pentagram is a representation of the four elements (plus spirit). Because of this, its also a protective symbol. It can be used to invoke (or evoke) different elements, and also can be used to invoke and banish different things.
For example, I follow a Wiccan ritual structure, and I seal my circle using consecrated elements. When I consecrate the salt, I mention banishing the bad stuff from the salt and draw a banishing earth pentagram. Then I invoke positive energy into it and draw an invoking earth pentagram. Then I seal my circle with it.
Sorry... I blather on... and on... and on...
2006-07-31 18:54:11 · answer #2 · answered by Ivy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pentagram or the Penticle? Many people get the two confused. The Penticle has the right-side-up star, and its a holy symbol for the Wiccan practices and followers. It's a symbol for the Moon Goddess, Hekate or Hecate, whichever way your spelling wishes to do her name. Where as many associate the Pentagram, the upside-down star with Paganism or Satanist. It's not that the Pentagram is neccessarily an evil sign, but those who do not understand it, or anything from other religions, fear it as a symbol of their devil automaticly.
2006-07-31 17:24:47 · answer #3 · answered by lavos1412 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is speculation based off my knowledge of ancient religions (don't put too much into it).
It's my suspicion that the origin of the pentacle is that the star in the middle represents a person (head, two arms, two legs). The circle originally represented a solar disc, which was the first god. The pentacle then represented a mystical union of man with god (the sun) - life.
The pentagram would then be the opposite of that, death, even though it can also represent Venus.
"When viewed from Earth, successive inferior conjunctions of Venus plot a nearly perfect pentagram shape around the zodiac every eight years." (from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagram)
2006-07-31 17:46:25 · answer #4 · answered by lenny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ha, theres many ways to perceive the pentagram:
1. A symbol for the feminine aspect, and Venus the Goddess, as used by the Greeks
2. Five senses, the five wounds of Jesus, five fingers as used by early Chrisitanity
3. The five elements: fire, water, earth, air, idea
4. A sign for Satanism, because of its upside down points, it would symbolize a rejection of the Holy Trinity
The list goes on and on...
But it should not be looked at as used for only "devil worship." People shouldn't be so ignorant.
2006-07-31 17:27:26 · answer #5 · answered by Doug 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth, air, fire , water & Spirit is the pentagram. The pentacle is the same but has a circle around it which symbolises the encapsulation of the above 5 elements within Mother Earth/ Universe.
2006-07-31 17:38:14 · answer #6 · answered by debisioux 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the four western elements, earth air wind fire, and the top for spirit.
it has a different meaning in eastern cultures, but much the same.
people wear it for protection.
to the one person that answered...it stand eternal. you can find one on air force one and on your local sheriff. naivete is amusing.
oh - not all pentagrams are upside down stars. pentacles you wear...pentagram is any drawn five pointed star surrounded by a circle. hence the name.
2006-07-31 17:25:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Standard one (according to popular Gnosticism) is a star, (a human, for Aleister Crowley said all men and all women are stars) surrounded by a circle ( the oldest know magical symbol) So now you have a person (in the position of surrender) within that with has no end.
If you flip it upside-down then you make the Satanic Goat's head.
If I'm Correct could you cast a good luck spell for me? I really need it right now!!!
2006-07-31 17:27:10 · answer #8 · answered by Jedi Baptist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spirit
Earth
Air
Fire
Water
2006-07-31 18:39:55 · answer #9 · answered by rxqueen♥ † 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pentagrams are nothing in and of themselves, its what someone does with them that may (or may not) be harmful.
2006-07-31 17:20:37 · answer #10 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it stands for strength. It's been believed to keep you safe from evil.
2006-07-31 17:22:48 · answer #11 · answered by cutesquaw69 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋