Why is the pentogram used in more than one religion for different purposes?

Question

Correct me if I'm wrong. From what I hear from a friend who's wiccan, it represents the 5 elements of the earth. But I know that satanists also use it as well but it's something different. Am I wrong? I'm neither one. I'm Christian. But I'm curious what it really means

Answer 1

A pentagram has 5 points which represent the Elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water and the Spirit.
A pentacle is a pentagram contained inside a circle.

What you see Satanists use is an upside down pentagram/pentacle.

Answer 2

Symbols have no intrinsic meaning. A triangle may mean the trinity to a Christian but may represent other things to people in other religions. You can't say one meaning is more or less correct than another.

The pentagram has meant a variety of things in history. In the 19th century it was regularly seen as representing the five elements. that same system recognised different meanings depending on whether it was point up or point down. Point up was spirit ruling over matter, which is one of the reasons Wiccans took to it much later. Point down was spirit descending into matter and being subsumed by matter, which is one of the reasons the Satanists took to it (also much later).

But the pentagram still has additional meanings. Wiccans sometimes use both point up and point down pentagrams to represent different things. The point down pentagram represents 2nd degree initiation. It also sometimes represents the horned god (wince two points are sticking up) Witches, pagans and magicians also often use pentagrams as symbols for a variety of things: some following the above scheme, some not.

Answer 3

It actually has a long history with lots of different meanings.

At one time Christians used it to represent the five wounds of Christ. I believe it meant "truth" at one time as well.
Right side up, it represents the Goddess. Upside down, it represents the God.

Satanist use the upside down pent with a goats head. Basically just to piss the Christians off. And it's working hehe

Most Neo-pagans see the pent as a sign of the five elements (fire, water, earth, wind, and spirit) with in an unbroken circle.

Symbols gain meaning by those who use it. The swastica for example was one a Norse religios symbol. Hilter f'ed that one up didn't he?

Answer 4

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Answer 5

The top of the pentagram star represents spirit. Satanists turn it upside down to reflect their beliefs.

Answer 6

In most traditional Wicca, there actually are only 4 elements.

Answer 7

Christianity used it as one of their earliest symbols as well.

Answer 8

The satanists use theirs upside down.(two points up)
http://www.exposingsatanism.org/signsymbols.htm
Wiccans use theirs upright( one point up)
http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefswiccasymbols.htm
Jewish followers have a different meaning to it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Star_of_David.svg

Answer 9

Because its a neat shape.