The pentagram is probably one of the most misunderstood symbols on earth. It is a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle. The upward point of the star is representative of the spirit. The other four points all represent an element: earth, air, fire, and water. All these things are part of our birth into a human body. It has long been recognized by earth-based religions as the symbol of the Goddess from whom we have our birth.

I have a pair of pentagram earrings that I hesitate to wear some places or when I'm going to be around people who might misinterpret the meaning of the symbol. Those who ask (so far no one has) would be given a simple answer, "I feel the connection with the Divine feminine and the elements, and I honor and respect Mother Earth."

The word "pentagram" comes from the Greek. "Pente" means five (as in Pentagon). "Gram" comes from the Greek verb graphein, "to write."

The five points of the star are significant for many reasons. The number 5 is prime. As I learned in a Christian church I attended in my younger years, the number 5 represents God's grace. Since then, I've learned it also symbolizes the five wounds of Christ on the cross. There are five pillars of the Muslim faith and five daily times of prayer, which is one of the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam. Humanly speaking, we have five fingers/toes on each limb hand/foot. We have five senses (if you don't count ESP as a 6th sense!): sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. We recognize five stages of life: birth, adolescence, adulthood, the senior years, and death. There were five virtues of the medieval knight: generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry, and piety as symbolized in the pentagram device of Sir Gawain. The Roman Emperor Constantine used the pentagram in his seal and amulet.

It is interesting to note that when an apple is cut through its equator, both halves will reveal a near-perfect pentagram shape at the core, with each point on the star containing a seed.

 The star itself is significant. Scientifically, it can be proven that humans are made of the same elements found in the stars: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. If you look at the pentagram, you can easily view the upper point as the head and the other four points as the four limbs of the human body as indicated in the pen and ink drawing by Leonardo da Vinci known as the Vitruvian Man. The single point upwards signifies the spirit ruling matter (mind ruling body). When the upper point of the star is descending, it represents God or the divine coming to Earth. As in heaven, so on Earth.

There is significance in the circle. A circle is never ending (infinite) and eternal. Drawn around the star to form the pentagram, it envelopes all the elements. It was once used by Pagans and Christians alike to provide protection from perceived evil. This is in stark contrast to today where the pentagram is criticized by modern Fundamentalist Christians and is abhorred as a symbol of evil. I must note that one can find evil anywhere one looks if so inclined.

Pagans have used the symbol in rituals and worship of the Goddess for much longer than there has been a male-dominant Christian religion. The Church originally adopted the pentagram as its own, but eventually chose the cross as a more significant symbol for Christianity. The use of the pentagram as a Christian symbol gradually ceased. During the burning times when the Christian church burned alive or hung hundreds of thousands of innocent people, the meaning of the pentagram changed completely.

The pentagram has different meanings for different people and cultures. The symbol in itself is neutral. As with any symbol, it has only the meaning and value you assign it--nothing more and nothing less. So, if you see someone wearing pentagram jewelry, stop and ask them what the symbol means to them.

For more information about accepting the religious practices of others, you may enjoy my podcast, blog, and Web site. There is a free audio book for those who subscribe to my mailing list.

After recovering from years of religious addiction and an abusive relationship with organized religion, Yvonne Perry is finally free to be recognized as one who operates in both worlds-that of spirit and physical reality. Yvonne is an author, podcast host, blogger, and outstanding keynote speaker who enjoys helping people discover a spiritual path of love and joy that comes from the knowledge that we are all one with our Creator. http://WeAre1InSpirit.com