pentagram etymology

Etymology

The word "pentagram" is derived from two Greek words:

• penta (πέντε), meaning "five"
• gramma (γράμμα), meaning "letter" or "symbol"

Therefore, "pentagram" literally means "five-lettered symbol."

Meaning

A pentagram is a geometric figure consisting of five lines that form five intersecting points, creating a star shape. It has been used for centuries as a symbol with various meanings, including:

• Esotericism: In many esoteric traditions, the pentagram is associated with protection, power, and balance. It is often used as a talisman or amulet to ward off evil spirits or attract positive energies.
• Magic: In magical practices, the pentagram is believed to have the power to control and direct spiritual forces. It can be used to summon or banish entities, create energy fields, and cast spells.
• Protection: The pentagram is often used as a symbol of protection, especially against malevolent forces. It is believed to create a barrier that prevents negative energies from entering or harming an individual or space.
• Balance: The five points of the pentagram represent the five elements (earth, air, fire, water, spirit) or the five senses. It is seen as a symbol of balance and harmony between these elements or within oneself.
• Christianity: In Christian symbolism, the pentagram is sometimes used to represent the five wounds of Jesus Christ (two hands, two feet, and the side). It is also associated with the Star of Bethlehem.

Origin

The origins of the pentagram are unclear, but it has been found in ancient civilizations around the world. It appears in Babylonian and Sumerian cultures as a symbol of the planet Venus and in ancient Greece as a representation of the five Pythagorean elements.

In the Middle Ages, the pentagram became associated with alchemy, witchcraft, and demonology. It was believed to have special powers and was often used in magical rituals.

Today, the pentagram is still used in various religious, mystical, and magical contexts. It remains a powerful symbol with a rich history and diverse meanings.

pentagram relate terms

• pentacle

  Etymology Middle English pentacle from Old French pentaigle from Late Latin pentacul

• pentagram

  Etymology The word pentagram is derived from two Greek words penta πέντε mea

• telegram

  Etymology The word telegram is derived from the Greek words tele τῆλε meani

• cinquain

  Etymology Cinquain is derived from the French word cinquains which means composed

• cinque

  Etymology Cinque derives from the Old French word cinque which in turn originated fro

• cinquecento

  Etymology From Italian cinquecento 500 from Late Latin quingenti 500 from qui

• cinquefoil

  Etymology Cinquefoil is derived from the Latin words quinque five folium leaf

• fifteen

  Etymology Originating from Old English fiftiene inflected form of fif five and

• fifth

  Etymology Old English fīfta Proto Germanic fīfþō Proto Indo European pénkʷe M

• fifty

  Etymology The word fifty derives from the Old English word fiftig which is a compound

• finger

  Etymology The word finger is derived from several ancient Proto Indo European roots

• fist

  Etymology The word fist comes from the Old English word fyst which is related to th

• five

  Etymology is the study of the history of words their origins and how their form and mean

• foist

  Etymology The word foist comes from the Middle French word fouster which means to

• keno

  Etymology The word keno originates from the French word quine which refers to a lot

• parcheesi

  Etymology The name parcheesi comes from the Hindi word pachisi which means twenty f

• penta

  Etymology Greek penta five Meaning Prefix denoting five Origin The prefix

• pentacle

  Etymology Middle English pentacle from Old French pentaigle from Late Latin pentacul

• pentad

  Etymology Greek πεντάς pentas from πέντε pente meaning five Meanin

• Pentateuch

  Etymology The term Pentateuch is derived from two Greek words penta πεντα

• Pentecost

  Etymology Greek πεντηκοστή pentēkostē meaning fiftieth day Meanin

• pentagon

  Etymology The word pentagon originates from the Greek words penta meaning five a

• pentagram

  Etymology The word pentagram is derived from two Greek words penta πέντε mea

• pentameter

  Etymology Pentameter comes from the Greek words pente five and metron measure M

• pentathlon

  Etymology Greek penta five athlon contest Meaning A pentathlon is a sport

• Pompeii

  Etymology The name Pompeii is believed to have an Etruscan origin Meaning The exact

• Punjab

  Etymology and Meaning of Punjab The word Punjab is derived from the Persian words panj

• Punch

  Etymology The word punch has several origins Old Irish bun a drink Anglo India

• quinary

  Etymology The word quinary comes from the Latin word quinarius which means consisti

• quincunx

  Etymology Latin quincunx from quinque five uncia twelfth part ix adjectival suf

• quinella

  Etymology The word quinella is derived from the Italian word quina which means five

• quinque

  Etymology The word quinque originates from the Proto Indo European root kʷenkʷe m

• quinquennial

  Etymology Latin quinquennialis Proto Indo European kʷenkʷe five enn

• quint

  Etymology Latin quintus fifth Meaning The fifth in a series or sequence Ori

• quintain

  Etymology Old French quintaine Late Latin quintana a military exercise Latin quintus

• quintet

  Etymology From French quintette from Italian quintetto diminutive of quinto fifth

• quintile

  Etymology Quintile comes from the Latin word quintilis which means fifth Meaning

• quintessence

  Etymology From Late Latin quintessentia fifth essence from Latin quinta essentia

• quintillion

  Etymology Late Latin quintillio from quintus fifth suffix illion thousand From

• quintuple

  Etymology The word quintuple comes from the Latin word quintus meaning fifth The

• star

  Etymology The word star derives from the Old English word steorra which in turn orig

• boisterous

  Etymology Middle English boistous or boistows from Anglo French boistous lively me

• spoil

  Etymology The word spoil comes from the Old French word spolier which means to rob

• solution

  Etymology The word solution is derived from the Latin word solutio which means loo

• fork

  Etymology Old English forc Middle English forke Proto Germanic furkô Proto Indo

• slander

  Etymology The word slander is derived from the Old French term esclandre which means

• expert

  Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin of words and the way in which their meanin

• solace

  Etymology The word solace comes from the Old French word solacier meaning to comfo