What Is the Meaning of an Eight-Pointed Star?
The eight-pointed star, or octagram, has a variety of different meanings based on the interpretation of the culture or spiritual system that is using the symbol. From the Judeo-Christian perspective, the eight-pointed star represents new beginnings. However, the Babylonians believed an octagram represented the goddess Ishtar, who was associated with the planet Venus.
Several other cultures have meanings for the eight-pointed star as well. According to About.com, the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshimi, is represented by eight emanations, which are depicted as two intertwined squares that form an octagram. Each emanation, or point, of the octagram represents one of the following aspects of wealth: victory, patience, health, knowledge, nourishment, prosperity, mobility and monetary wealth.
For the Egyptians, the eight-pointed star represented the eight deities known as the Ogdoad. The Egyptians believed that the Ogdoad, four female gods and four male gods, each represented a primal force or element such as water, air, darkness or infinity. Together, they created the world and the sun god Ra.
Two overlapping squares, or an octagram, also represents duality. Each point of the square represents the four cardinal directions and the four elements: air, water, earth and fire. The top square of the octagram represents the positive aspects of the elements, and the bottom square represents the negative.
