 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| STAR OF DAVID = MAGHEN DAVID |
|
|
| (Contains also the Solomon's seal.) |
|
|
| David = Biblical king David |
|
|
| Maghen = Shield |
|
|
| Meaning ---The shape of David's shield (or-the emblem of his shield). |
|
|
| The origin of Star of David the 6 points star (hexagram) and also the origin of the 5 pointed star (pentagram) called Solomon's seal is antique. |
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Star of David (hexagram) Solomon's seal (pentagram) |
|
|
| Both were known to the ancient people of Israel, India, Babylonia and Egypt as possessing powerful forces and the ability to keep away the harmful forces. |
|
|
| Lately the Star of David is used in the Middle East and North Africa and is thought to bring good luck. |
|
| These two symbols were not mentioned by their present names until the end of the 17th century. |
|
| They were not known at the beginning as Jewish symbols. |
|
| We find only few of them in archeological digging. |
|
| The first Solomon's seal was found at Jerusalem and dated 4th century B.C. The next was dated 1st century B.C. |
|
| Both symbols were found on the faccades of synagogues in Gallilea built during 2d -3d centuries A.C. |
|
 |
|
|
| Stone from a in the Galilee 3-4th century |
|
| During the 6-9th centuries we find the S.o.D. on Jewish gravestones in Italy used for deceased named David. |
|
| The use of S.o.D. as a talisman on the frames of the doors started in Israel and Babylonia during the 7th century. |
|
| Between the 11th and the 17th centuries the two symbols spread greatly. |
|
| The name MAGHEN DAVID is mentioned the first time in a Karaite book written in the 12th century. |
|
| The Jewish community of Prague used the S.o.D. as their emblem during the reign of Emperor Ferdinand I (15th century) or maybe before, during the reign of Karl IV (14th century). |
|
|
| From Prague this symbol spread to other Jewish communities in Bohemia and Austria. |
|
| At Vienna in 1656 we find border stones dividing the Christian quarter and the Jewish one. |
|
| Toward the Christian side there was a cross and toward the Jewish side a S.o.D. |
|
|
| The expulsion of Vienna Jews (1700) caused the spreading of the S.o.D. and also its introduction also into the synagogues and on their facades as symbol of Jewish houses of worship (the same way the cross was used to identify Christian houses of worship). |
|
|
| Only during the 19th century did the S.o.D. gain popularity as an official symbol of Judaism, when it was adopted as the emblem of Zionist movement (1897). |
|
|
| This symbol continued to be controversial for many years until adopted also on the flag of the state of Israel |
|
| =================== |
|
|
| *S.o.D.-Star of David |
|
|
| **You may find confusion on using the term King Solomon's Seal. |
|
|
| In Europe this name is used for the pentagram. |
|
| Jews used to call the hexagram with this name. |
|
|
|
Back Back to Homepage |
|