Christian emblems not a cross: the seven-pointed star
Some times you want a Christian emblem that’s not a cross: not a Latin cross, not a Greek cross, not a Byzantine cross. Nothing — and I think this is the reason for the desire — to be crucified on. I can’t blame anyone for being especially weary and queasy with describing one’s faith with a device of torturous death these days: torture and death has become a matter of public policy.
This is the first of a short series.
One of the more interesting alternatives is the heptagram, or the seven-pointed star.
Just three reasons for its use by Christians:
- Seven has been identified with perfection — as anyone whose been taught The Divine Comedy will recall — and by extension the perfection of God.
- It is also a reminder of the seven gifts of the spirit, described in the eleventh chapter of Isaiah: wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord. (There are other lists of spiritual gifts.)
- Seven is a key number in the Revelation of John, a coded message about God’s future promises, including a reference to seven stars.
It has uses, of course, in other religions, too. Either way, these two heptagram images are released into the public domain for whatever use.
29 September 2007 at 8:32 am
I feel a tattoo coming on!
1 October 2007 at 10:05 pm
I thought I already said this, but I feel a tattoo coming on. Shoo, that’s PRETTY.
I also like the idea of a HEPtagram.
“Hep hep,” a la Cab Calloway.
2 October 2007 at 1:09 pm
I find it too close to the Baha’i nine-pointed star.
What about adding a tail and make it the star of Bethlehem?