Gershom Scholem writes that the term "seal of Solomon" was adopted by Jews from Islamic magic literature, while he could not assert with certainty whether the term "shield of David" originated in Islamic or Jewish mysticism. [2] Leonora Leet argues though that not just the terminology, but the esoteric philosophy behind it had pre-Islamic Jewish roots and provides among other arguments the Talmud's mention of the hexagram as being engraved on Solomon's seal ring. [9] She also shows that Jewish alchemists were the teachers of their Muslim and Christian counterparts, and that a way-opener such as Maria Hebraea of Alexandria (2nd or 3rd century CE; others date her earlier) already used concepts which were later adopted by Muslim and Christian alchemists and could be graphically associated with the symbolism of the upper and lower triangles constituting the hexagram, which came into explicit use after her time. [9] The hexagram however only becomes widespread in Jewish magical texts and amulets ( segulot) in the early Middle Ages, which is why most modern authors have seen Islamic mysticism as the source of the medieval Spanish Kabbalists' use of the hexagram. [9] [10] The name "Star of David" originates from King David of ancient Israel. A hexagram has been noted on a Jewish tombstone in Taranto, Apulia in Southern Italy, which may date as early as the third century CE. [16] [17] The Jews of Apulia were noted for their scholarship in Kabbalah, which has been connected to the use of the Star of David. [18] Wear your Jewish identity with pride with our Star of David rings. These iconic pieces, available in sterling silver, 14k yellow gold, and more, are not only stylish but also imbue a sense of belonging and reflection of Jewish history and culture. Personalized Rings - Unique Expressions of Self

The Star of David at least since the 20th century remains associated with the number seven and thus with the Menorah, and popular accounts [ unreliable source?] associate it with the six directions of space plus the center (under the influence of the description of space found in the Sefer Yetsira: Up, Down, East, West, South, North, and Center), or the Six Sefirot of the Male ( Zeir Anpin) united with the Seventh Sefirot of the Female (Nukva). [25] Some say that one triangle represents the ruling tribe of Judah and the other the former ruling tribe of Benjamin. It is also seen as a dalet and yud, the two letters assigned to Judah. There are 12 Vav, or "men", representing the 12 tribes or patriarchs of Israel. Seven names of angels precede the mezuzah: Michael, Gabriel, etc. ... Tetragrammaton protect you! And likewise the sign, called the "Shield of David", is placed beside the name of each angel. [70] Schaap, Jeremy (2007). Triumph: the untold story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 85. ISBN 978-0618688227 . Retrieved February 17, 2011. skater star of david. Whisler, John (August 1, 2009). "Cowboys add muscle on defense with Olshanksy". Houston Chronicle . Retrieved February 17, 2011. Scholem 1949, p.244:"It is not to be found at all in medieval synagogues or on medieval ceremonial objects, although it has been found in quite a number of medieval Christian churches again, not as a Christian symbol but only as a decorative motif. The appearance of the symbol in Christian churches long before its appearance in our synagogues should warn the overzealous interpreters. "Kirsch, George B; Harris, Othello; Nolte, Claire Elaine (2000). Encyclopedia of ethnicity and sports in the United States. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9780313299117 . Retrieved February 19, 2011. Paul Lukas (April 2, 2007). "Uni Watch: Passover edition". ESPN. p.2 . Retrieved February 17, 2011. Since 1948, the Star of David has carried the dual significance of representing both the state of Israel and Jewish identity in general. In the United States especially, it continues to be used in the latter sense by a number of athletes. The Flag and the Emblem" (MFA). "The Star of David became the emblem of Zionist Jews everywhere. Non-Jews regarded it as representing not only the Zionist current in Judaism, but Jewry as a whole." The name 'Shield of David' was used by at least the 11th century as a title of the God of Israel, independent of the use of the symbol. The phrase occurs independently as a divine title in the Siddur, the traditional Jewish prayer book, where it poetically refers to the divine protection of ancient King David and the anticipated restoration of his dynastic house, perhaps based on Psalm 18, which is attributed to David, and in which God is compared to a shield (v. 31 and v. 36). The term occurs at the end of the "Samkhaynu/Gladden us" blessing, which is recited after the reading of the Haftara portion on Saturday and holidays. [69]

Schwandtner, Scriptores Rerum Hungaricarum, ii. 148. Facsimile in M. Friedmann, Seder Eliyahu Rabbah ve-Seder Eliyahu Ztṭa, Vienna, 1901 The Flag and the Emblem". Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). Archived from the original on May 13, 2019 . Retrieved April 18, 2016. The insignia of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has included a hexagram since the end of the 19th century. [72]

The world's largest Star of David (2,400 metres (7,900ft) diameter) is at Harold Holt Naval Communications Station, Exmouth, Australia at 21°48′57″S 114°09′57″E / 21.815927°S 114.165888°E / -21.815927; 114.165888. [71] ( Google Earth view) Today, the Star of David is one of the most popular symbols for the Jewish People. In Judaism's mystical tradition, the Kabbalah, the Star of David symbolizes the synthesis of heaven and earth, the covenant between God and the Jewish People, the omnipresence of the Almighty as well as the unity of the Jewish People.

Philadelphia Jewish life, 1940–2000. Temple University Press. 2006. ISBN 9781566399999 . Retrieved February 17, 2011.

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It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that for a long time both the five-pointed and the six-pointed stars were called by one name, the "Seal of Solomon," and that no distinction was made between them. This name is obviously related to the Jewish legend of Solomon's dominion over the spirits, and of his ring with the Ineffable Name engraved on it. These legends expanded and proliferated in a marked fashion during the Middle Ages, among Jews and Arabs alike, but the name, "Seal of Solomon," apparently originated with the Arabs. This term they did not apply to any one design exclusively; they applied it to an entire series of seven seals to which they attributed extreme potency in putting to flight the forces of the Demon." a b c Leet, Leonora (1999). "The Hexagram and Hebraic Sacred Science" in: The Secret Doctrine of the Kabbalah, pp. 212–217. Re-accessed 5 June 2022. Only around one millennium later, however, the star began to be used as a symbol to identify Jewish communities, a tradition that seems to have started in Prague before the 17th century, and from there spread to much of Eastern Europe. [2] [11] Roots Star of David at the Oshki Monastery, dated AD 973. The monastery is located in Tao, modern-day Turkey. In other countries, we do not generally find the Shield of David in use before the beginning of the 19th century, either on community seals, or on the curtains of the Ark, or on Torah mantles."