The eight-pointed star is a symbol that has existed in a wide variety of cultures. It was used by the Babylonians, Christians, Egyptians, agnostics, Hindus, Buddhists. It can be seen on national flags and in religious iconography.
Depending on the culture that spawned it, the eight-pointed star can have different meanings. The symbol is closely related to the figure eight. The number eight is present in the teachings of the Buddha as the noble eightfold path. There are eight immortal gods in Chinese culture. The universal meaning of the figure eight is balance, harmony and cosmic order.
The symbol embodies both the designations for the stars in early astronomy and human attempts to represent the cosmic order and unity that are present in the creation of the world. It is both a religious, astronomical and mystical sign.
Ancient Babylon symbolism
Among the ancient Babylonians, the eight-pointed star was a symbol of the goddess Ishtar, who was also associated with the planet Venus. Ishtar is often compared to the Greek goddess Aphrodite or the Roman Venus. All these goddesses personified love and attraction, but at the same time Ishtar also patronized fertility and war.
Judeo-Christian tradition
The number eight is often associated by Jews with beginnings, resurrection, salvation, and abundance. This is due to the fact that the seven symbolizes completion. For example, the eighth day is the start of a new week. And, observing God's covenant, a Jewish child on the eighth day goes through circumcision.
Eight Egyptian gods
The Egyptians of the ancient kingdom worshiped a group of eight deities, four goddesses, and four gods. Each divine couple represented an original force or substance, and together they created the world. This eight of the gods served as an example borrowed from other cultures, which, in turn, depicted it in the form of an octagonal star.
Star Lakshmi
In Hinduism, the goddess of wealth Lakshmi is surrounded by a halo of eight rays. They are represented by two squares superimposed on each other and forming a star. These rays represent eight types of wealth, namely: money, the ability to travel distances, endless prosperity, victory, patience, health and nutrition, knowledge and family.
Intersecting squares
When you meet two superimposed squares, this symbol often emphasizes duality: yin and yang, feminine and masculine, spiritual and material. Squares often indicate physical phenomena: the four elements, compass directions.
Chaos star
The Chaos Star is a star with eight rays emanating from the center. The symbol was invented by the English science fiction writer Michael Moorcock to denote chaos. Despite the symbol's literary origins, it can often be seen in a wide variety of contexts, from magic to religion.
Symbols of Buddhism
In Buddhism, an eight-pointed star is inscribed in the "wheel of dharma" symbol. In turn, the wheel symbolizes the Buddha's teaching about the eight virtues, as an opportunity to get rid of attachments and associated suffering. These virtues are right view, right intention, right speech, right behavior, right lifestyle, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
