In this article we will talk about what the Star of Bethlehem is and what it looks like. This is one of many phenomena that Christians do not question, and for many years scientists have not abandoned attempts to prove it or refute it from a scientific point of view.
What is the star of Bethlehem?
Let's start with the story. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the three wise men, seeing in heaven a new bright star in the east (or, to be more precise, at sunrise), went towards her to bow to Jesus Christ. From ancient traditions, they knew that such a star would lead them to the King of Judea. The Magi came to Jerusalem, but did not find the Savior there, and, on the advice of King Herod, went to Bethlehem, where the star stopped right above the house of the Holy Family. Having bowed to Jesus and having brought him gifts - gold, frankincense and myrrh, they set off on their way back to their homeland to preach the birth of the Savior there. Until now, these three sages are revered as saints, and their relics are located in Cologne.
Was there a star?
Criticizing the Holy Scriptures, some argued that there was no star, and this is just a later insert in the original text, designed to decorate it and make it more solemn.
However, it has already been proven that the events described in the texts by the evangelists practically do not contradict real historical events. Therefore, we can assume that in fact at that time in the sky there really was a certain cosmic body. In addition, the presentation style testifies that the authors told about the events exactly as they happened without inventing additional elements of the story, otherwise the Gospels would have looked different from the point of view of sequence. For believers, an angel leading a magi would probably look more natural and logical than some kind of star. Why include it in the text, if in fact it was not?
Parade of planets
One of the most likely explanations for this phenomenon is given by astronomers - most likely, it was the so-called parade of planets when the Earth, the Sun, Jupiter and Saturn were lined up in a line. It should have looked amazing, and not surprisingly, a mystical meaning was attributed to such a phenomenon.
It is worth saying that the three magicians heading to the Savior were scientists, mathematicians, astronomers of their time, revered in society. Therefore, studying planets and stars was their profession.
Bright comet
Another version of the origin of the Star of Bethlehem states that it was a comet. Judging by the time of the Gospel events, this was most likely a comet from the constellation Capricorn that appeared in the 5th century BC, described in detail by astronomers from China. However, at that time such cosmic bodies were considered mainly an omen, therefore it is not at all a fact that the appearance of that comet could be interpreted as a blessed sign of the appearance of the Savior.
However, there is another option proposed by modern astronomers. It was this phenomenon that the three wise men could see: a bright star appeared in the 4th century BC in the constellation Eagle and, it seems, was located just above Jerusalem. Here is a photo of the Star of Bethlehem.
Red Star
It is worth saying that now under this name they mean other, not astronomical objects. For example, there is a flower the Star of Bethlehem - this is the well-known poinsettia, which many acquire before Christmas (and sometimes before the New Year). It blooms not too beautiful with small yellow flowers, but pleases the eye with leaves - red, green, white, sharply contrasting with each other and creating a festive impression. Its leaves have eight ends, and this is an additional association with the star. Poinsettia is a homemade plant, beautiful and unpretentious, so it can often be found in European houses, in Russia it has not yet received wide distribution.
Initially, this flower was revered by the Aztecs. After his appearance in Europe around the sixteenth century, a legend arose associated with the celebration of Christmas. According to her, children from poor families really wanted to decorate the temple for the holiday, but they had absolutely no money for decorations. Therefore, they broke several branches from bushes growing along the road, and brought to the church, sincerely believing that even with such an offering they would bring the Lord much joy. And when they brought their bouquets to the temple, they were transformed and covered with red and green, star-like leaves. This was poinsettia.
What does a star look like?
Most often, the star of Bethlehem is depicted as eight-pointed. As a body jewelry, such as a pendant, they try not to wear it, because it is considered sacrilegious. However, images of the Star of Bethlehem still exist: for example, a silver star is depicted on the floor of a well in a cave, where, according to one version, Jesus Christ was born. This place is also called the Holy Den. Legend has it that the Star of Bethlehem fell exactly there after it led the Magi to the Divine Infant. Christians often claim that if you carefully look into the depth of the well, lined with silver plates from the inside, you can see the flickering of a celestial body located deep at the bottom. Above the place where, according to this legend, there is now a star, in the eighteenth century a church was built by the monks of the Order of St. Francis of Assisi.
By the way, it was such a star, and not crosses, as it is now, that was installed on top of the domes of the very first Orthodox churches.
The eight-pointed star is often used in Christian holidays, such a Christmas-tree decoration is especially widespread. In Russia, tradition was changed, and the star became about five ends. But after the collapse of the Soviet Union, she again had eight ends, and now both traditions exist on an equal footing. However, on the main Christmas tree of Russia in the Kremlin is precisely an authentic star.
Orthodox stores sometimes offer a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem, most often in the form of a gold or silver pendant, costing from three to four thousand rubles. Similar gizmos can now be found in esoteric shops - they offer a variety of jewelry made from a wide variety of metals, most often inexpensive. Of course, this is a rather controversial question whether people have the right to wear and make such jewelry. Even the opinions of priests in this regard are radically different: for example, some believe that in fact the Star of Bethlehem was lit by Satan at one time in order to bring King Herod to the Divine Infant. Therefore, they themselves do not approve of the star symbol. Some Orthodox priests consider the eight-pointed star to be a sign of belonging to Islam. The priests are more unanimous in relation to the five-pointed star, the pentagram, which the representatives of the church are considered a sign of involvement in the worshipers of Satan. The six-pointed star of David is a clear symbol of Judaism, although the followers of this religion wear it very rarely.
The Star of Bethlehem is often used as part of other Christian symbols - for example, in the center of crosses. Often precious or semi-precious stones are placed in the center of the star.
On almost all the icons dedicated to the Virgin, you can also find the star sign. Since the Mother of God is considered the patron saint of Russia, the Star of Bethlehem is sometimes called Russian. The symbol itself could also mean Heavenly Jerusalem, paradise, resilience in life situations, or something unearthly, sublime. The star is also associated with the so-called Eighth Day of Creation. It is believed that after the fall, the Seventh day continues to this day, after it comes the Apocalypse, and after the Second Coming of all those saved, eternal life awaits, the eternal Eighth day. Thus, the star is another very important - it symbolizes eternity.
DIY star of bethlehem
Many children like to create Christmas tree toys with their own hands, and among other decorations you can make a Christmas star. Sometimes it is hung on a window or on the very top of a festive tree. How to make a star of Bethlehem with your own hands? Best of all - from shiny paper, voluminous in the origami technique or cut it out of silver isolon.
Russian awards
The Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, which was the highest state award in pre-revolutionary Russia, basically had an eight-pointed star.
And in modern Russia, the Bethlehem Star Award was established, on the gold medal of which the corresponding symbol is printed, and sometimes an angel is depicted on it. This is a sign of the Academy of Literature.
Other meaning
Of course, the main area of existence of this sign is Christianity, however, the esotericism so popular today also uses the Star of Bethlehem.
The meaning of this symbol in magic is an image of the law of karma of a whole kind. It is believed that the seven generations that lived on Earth before the birth of a particular person on it will have an impact on him, and he, in turn, will affect the next seven generations with his thoughts and actions. This theory exists because fourteen generations were born between Jesus Christ and his ancestor, the Jewish king David. Many star pendants are created under the influence of this particular esoteric direction.