Orthodox Christianity has its own symbols. The eight-pointed star is one of them. Each of the characters characterizes Orthodoxy in a certain way. Probably, everyone at least once thought about what an eight-pointed star means in religion and not only. After all, she met in the culture of many peoples in different eras. Surely its significance is diverse. To understand all this, you need to trace its appearance in the history of mankind and in the symbolism of Orthodox Christianity.
Eight-ray star
In Christianity, it is a star of Bethlehem or a symbol of the Birth of Jesus Christ. According to the Holy Scriptures, it was lit in heaven when the Messiah was born. Her eight rays were brighter than other stars. Seeing them, the ancient sages (magi) remembered the prophecies and realized that the long-awaited Savior was born. They hastened east to worship the Son of God. The Star of Bethlehem showed the elders the path, moving ahead, until it stopped above the place where Jesus was born.
In the cave of the Nativity of Christ there is a star of Bethlehem. How many rays on it are known for certain. The place where Jesus appeared was indicated by a silver star with fourteen rays. This number is not accidental. It symbolizes the stops on the Way of the Cross of Jesus in Jerusalem.
Star of bethlehem. History of occurrence
Today in Orthodox churches there is an eight-pointed star, the significance of which can be understood by referring to the history of its appearance.
But initially the Star of Bethlehem was with five rays, according to the number of wounds of Jesus Christ. She also symbolized health: the number of fingers, sensory organs. But its main meaning was in the human nature of Christ.
In the Renaissance, the star was associated with occultism. And inverted, she became the symbol of Satan. But Christians considered this option a sign of the rebirth of Christ. And even the church ranked among the saints, the Roman emperor Constantine had a seal with an inverted five-pointed star. It was he who made Christianity the state religion.
For Russia, historically, a star-shaped symbol with five rays is alien. It is more customary to personify it with Judaism and Freemasonry. Although during the years of Soviet power, it was a star with five rays that was chosen as a state symbol.
Eight-pointed star in Orthodoxy. Background
The five-pointed star of Bethlehem was replaced by the six-pointed star around the fifteenth century. In general, this symbol arose at the beginning of the Neolithic period. He meant the six cardinal points. Everyone knows that there are four of them (east, west, north, south), but, for example, the inhabitants of ancient India, seeing a symbol with so many rays, understood its meaning as "six sides of the horizon."
Then, in one of the periods, in Russia there was a seven-pointed star of Bethlehem. Once upon a time, magicians wore the same symbol as a distinctive sign, but with an indication of the planet near each ray.
The value of the eight-ray star in Russia
And finally, an eight-pointed star appeared - a symbol known in Russia since ancient times. Long before the twentieth century, among the inhabitants of Ancient Russia, back in pagan times, it meant the presence of the main deity. The image of such a star was placed on military banners, clothes, and on various household items and cults.
In Orthodox Russia, the eight-pointed star was of no less importance. After all, she caught fire in the sky at the time of the birth of our Savior and led the Magi to the place of the birth of Jesus.
The eight-pointed star in iconography
Today this sign is present in all Orthodox churches, symbolizing Russia. A star with eight rays can be found on all Russian icons of the Mother of God, the patroness of our Fatherland. About this symbol we, in Russia, say: the star of the Virgin, Russian, as well as Bethlehem.
As mentioned above, the icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary depict an eight-pointed star, the value of which is very important in Orthodoxy. This is understandable only by the fact that the symbol is located on the shoulders and head of the Virgin. On the icon "The Burning Cupid", the image of the Mother of God is inscribed in the octogram (this is also called the symbol with two squares superimposed on each other, forming an eight-pointed symbol). The star is closely connected with the Virgin, her secret.
If we recall the meaning of the symbol with eight rays, then by tradition it was understood as eternity, unwavering stability and going beyond this world. Also, the octogram is a sign of Paradise, Heavenly Jerusalem and the final Transfiguration.
The value of the star in different nations
An eight-pointed star is a symbol of balance, order, creation, if you inscribe it in a circle. So in antiquity they designated the calendar, the seasons (everything material changes, but the main thing remains the same).
The eight-ray star is found in the cult of Latvians, Udmurts. In the form of a double cross or with bifurcated ends, it can be seen in folk ornaments among Finns and Karelians, as well as among northern peoples (for example, Finno-Ugric). Here it means guidedness and rebirth, is a symbol of light and glory.
In addition, a star with eight rays can be found on the arms of the Republic of Karelia, Likhoslavl and its region (the inhabitants of which are also Karelians), Colombia, Peru. The flags of Great Britain and the Philippines also have octal symbols.
The eight-pointed star, whose meaning among the Egyptians was the identity of a divine sign, is also found among the Sumerians. In their language, it was this symbol that designated the word that translates as "god, star, sky."
It is believed that the eight-pointed sign symbolizes seven periods in the history of mankind, and the eighth ray is the life of the future century. That is, the time when the kingdom of God will come.
Star in the tradition of Christians
The eight-pointed Christmas star has always been the main one at the tops of the holiday fir trees. She served as decoration in houses and on the street. In Soviet times, the star was replaced by a five-pointed star.
Children were given the eight-pointed Star of Bethlehem for well-being and happiness.
According to church tradition, one of the apostles brought news of the Christian faith to the Russian land before everyone else. Apparently, therefore, in tsarist Russia, the highest award, which had the shape of an eight-pointed star, was called the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. Today, he also has a high status, returned by presidential decree in 1998.
The star of Bethlehem, no matter how many rays may have, is of great importance in the history of Christianity. The Magi, led by her, found out where the Savior was, and told the world about his Birth. Today, this symbol, as always, is a guide for believers, recalling that the material and the spiritual are interconnected. But if one passes without a trace, then the other is eternal and imperishable. When striving for life in the kingdom of God, one must remember that in this world everyone can become a guiding light for someone, doing good deeds and thereby approaching the Lord. Maybe this is precisely the true meaning of the eight-ray symbol. Peace and harmony to you!