Are you a person intrigued by symbols? There are a myriad of symbols in the world that have different meanings. There are symbols used in spirituality, culture, family, politics, finance, afterlife, etc. Symbols allow people to tap into the unknown by creating linkages between different experiences and concepts.
Eight pointed stars, also known as Octagrams, are used in different cultures to mean different things. Some of these cultures are Buddhism, Hinduism, Gnostics, Judeo-Christian, Egyptian, Babylonian and Wiccans, among others.
In general, an eight-pointed star allows us to open our eyes and let us see beyond the material world and explore spiritual values. Learn more about the meaning of an Octagram or eight-pointed star below.
Table of Contents
Origins
The eight-pointed star or Octagrams is believed to have its origins in early astronomy. Eight lines signify the four corners of space (south, north, east and west) and time (two equinoxes and two solstices) and are associated with different meanings in different cultures.
Native America
In Native America, symbols are geometric depictions of natural phenomena, celestial bodies and animal designs. The eight-pointed star represents a symbol of hope that is surrounded in a circle.
Note that number eight is an important one in terms of achieving balance. The Indians from Native America referred to this Hope symbol as Star Knowledge.
Traditional Compass Mark
The ‘rose’ seen in the middle of the traditional compass has 8 points, though with four main points and four minor ones. It is believed that this is the most typical use of an Octagram; 8 pointed stars are linked to Number 8.
Its basic meaning has to do with being made up of 2 sets of 4 and the notion that higher forces or natural laws like how the laws of physics regulate the lower realms of matter.
Babylonian
The Babylonian symbolism features goddess Ishtar that is denoted by an eight-pointed starburst. Also, Ishtar is associated with Venus Planet. That is why today, people associate Greek Aphrodite that Romans equated with their Venus, with Ishtar.
Both goddesses represent sexuality and lust. Note that Ishtar also represents War and fertility.
Egyptian
Ancient kingdom Egyptians recognized eight deities, four female and four male. The female deities were bearing feminine forms of the male names such as Nanet, Nu, Amun, Amunet, Kauket, Kuk, Huh and Hauhet.
Each of the four pairs signifies a primal force, air, water, darkness and infinity. Together they create the sun god Ra and the world from the primordial waters. These eight are known as the ogdoad, and other cultures borrow this context which may represent it with an eight-pointed star.
Judeo-Christian
Number eight represents beginnings, salvation, resurrection and super-abundance. This has a lot to do with the fact that seven is several completion. For instance, the eighth day is the first day of a new seven-day-week.
During this week, a Jewish child goes into God’s Covenant on the eighth day of life through circumcision.
Gnostics
Gnostics Valentinus of the second century wrote about his ogdoad concept which again is four female/male pairs of what they regarded primordial principles. First, Abyss and Silence brought Truth and Mind, which then produced Word and Life that finally led to Man and Church.
Today, several pursuers of esoterica have tapped into various ogdoad concepts.
Overlapping Squares
Octagrams made from overlapping squares often focus on duality: yin and yang, spiritual and material, male and female. Squares are often linked with the physical world: four cardinal directions, four elements, etc. These two together can mean both negative and positive aspects of the four elements, like balancing them.
Chaos Star
A chaos star features eight points coming from a central point. While fictionally, it originates in the writings of Michael Moorcock. It has now been adopted into various additional contexts, including magical and religious ones.
Notably, this chaos star has been adopted by some cultures as a symbol of chaos magic.
Conclusive Remark
The eight-pointed star, also known as the Octagram, has been adopted by various cultures to mean different things. For instance, in the Babylonian symbolism, the eight-pointed star is linked with planet Venus.
Also, it is associated with Greek Aphrodite that Romans equate with their Venus and Ishtar. In Judeo-Christian, the Octagram signifies beginnings, salvation, resurrection and super-abundance.