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Pentagram vs. Pentacle

The Pentagram

Like a Christian cross, the pentagram tends to be THE religious symbol of the Pagan religions. It encompasses our elemental beliefs and is one of the strongest protective amulets ever "designed".

The Pentagram dates back thousands of years to pre-Babylonian Summer ... roughly about 3500 BC. Many religions have once used this symbol ... the Jewish people saw it as a symbol of the Five Books of Moses, and Christians once used it as a protective amulet. It has been called such things as the Druid's Foot and the Witches' Star.
Each point of the Pentagram traditionally represents one of the five metaphysical elements of the ancients. The topmost point represents Spirit, The upper left point represents Air, the upper right point represents Water, the lower left point represents Earth, and the lower right point represents Fire. In this fashion, the pentagram represents Spirit ruling over the four elements.

The Pentacle

The Pentacle is simply a pentagram with a circle around it. This symbolizes eternity, totality, and unity. It emphasizes the interconnectivity of all of the elements. The direct and indirect relation of one element to the other.

It would seem as though the Pentacle is gaining a new meaning in Modern-day Paganism ... in that it is seen as a unifying symbol of the Pagan community. In modern day Witch Craft, the Pentacle tends to be used more than the pentagram.

Air (East): Intellect, Imagination, Knowledge
Earth (North): The Body, Foundation, Strength

Fire (South): Will, Vitality, Passion

Water (West): Emotion, Intuition, Compassion

Better Explanation

The terms "pentacle" and "pentagram" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and are associated with different symbolism, especially in various cultural and religious contexts. Here's a brief explanation of each term and their differences:

Pentacle: A pentacle is a five-pointed star enclosed within a circle. It is typically depicted as a geometric design or symbol and is often used as an emblem or talisman in various spiritual and magical practices. The word "pentacle" is derived from the Greek word "pente," meaning five. Pentacles are frequently associated with Wicca, Paganism, and modern witchcraft.

In these spiritual traditions, the pentacle is regarded as a protective symbol and a representation of the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Spirit. Each point of the star corresponds to one of these elements, and the circle around the pentacle signifies unity, protection, and the interconnectedness of these elements.

Pentagram: A pentagram is also a five-pointed star, but it doesn't necessarily have to be enclosed within a circle. The term "pentagram" is often used to refer to the basic five-pointed star shape itself. This symbol has a long history and has been used in various cultures and religions, both as a positive and a negative symbol.

In some Western esoteric traditions, particularly in the context of ceremonial magic, the pentagram is associated with various elements and directions. Depending on how it is oriented, each point of the pentagram may represent an element (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Spirit) or be associated with a particular aspect, such as the five senses or the five stages of human development.

In popular culture and media, the pentagram has sometimes been associated with occultism and Satanism, but it's essential to note that these associations are not inherent to the symbol itself. Its meaning can vary significantly depending on the context in which it is used.

In summary, the main difference between a pentacle and a pentagram is that a pentacle is a five-pointed star enclosed within a circle and often carries specific spiritual or magical symbolism, whereas a pentagram is the basic five-pointed star shape that may or may not be enclosed within a circle and has a broader range of cultural and symbolic associations.

Meaning of the Pentacle Symbol

The pentacle symbol has been revered by almost all the ancient civilizations, be it the Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, Babylonians, or even Mayans.

It holds different layers of symbolism. The pentacle symbol is viewed as a sign of love, life, light, unity, enlightenment, and a quest for divine knowledge.

Although it has become associated with magic and witchcraft in modern culture, in the past it was actually used for protection against demons, evil spirits, and similar bad forces.

The five corners of the pentacle symbol are said to represent the five senses.

Sense of sight

Sense of sound

Sense of smell

Sense of taste

Sense of touch

In early Christianity, the pentagon at the center of the pentacle symbol was used to denote the five wounds sustained by Jesus during his crucifixion.

In Taoism, or Daoism, a Chinese philosophical approach to life, the five points of the pentacle symbol stand for the five elements of the East. These are:

Wood

Water

Fire

Earth

Metal

Some scholars also say that the star-shaped symbol is closely related to ancient astrology. Its five corners are said to denote the five brightest planets that were discovered a very long time ago, as they can be easily seen in the night sky by the naked eye without the aid of telescopes and other modern equipment.

These planets include:

Mercury

Venus

Mars

Jupiter

Saturn

The use of the pentacle symbol in witchcraft was completely unknown until 1855, when a French author referred to the sign in his book about magic. The relationship between the pentacle symbol and evil forces accelerated all the more when the Church of Satan, a religious organization dedicated to Satanism, adopted the inverted pentacle as their official symbol.

Pentacles in the Wiccan Religion

While others might continue debating over whether the pentacle symbol should be displayed on furniture and fashion accessories or not, followers of the Wiccan religion are not hesitant to use it on various everyday items. They are proud to associate themselves with the pentacle symbol and everything that it stands for.

For the Wicca people, the pentacle is a symbol of their faith – pretty much the same way that the Cross represents Christianity, the crescent represents Islam, and the Om symbol represents Hinduism.

In the Wiccan religion, the five-pointed pentacle symbol signifies the five basic elements of life – i.e. water, air, fire, earth, and the spirit. The circle around the star-shaped figure symbolizes the universe, which not only contains but also connects them all together.

Modern Uses of the Pentacle Symbol

The pentacle symbol is of central importance in modern witchcraft and the evocation of spirits. It is highly popularized in horror movies, and widely used on occasions such as Halloween parties and the likes.

However, it is not always used in a negative sense. You will also find fashion lovers and people of different age groups, Wiccan or not, wearing jewelry items such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets bearing the pentacle symbol in some form or the other.

We hope you liked this post about the pentacle symbol, its meaning and origins. If you would like to read our more about Wiccan and pagan symbols, please visit our symbols and meanings section to check out our comprehensive articles on both.

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Most recent revision April 24, 2025 05:33:02 PM