What is the origin of the “Star of David”? Was it really the ancient symbol on David’s shield? Did it originate with king Solomon? What is the meaning of two interlaced triangles, one pointed upward and one pointed down? Where did this ancient symbol REALLY originate? Why does this symbol figure so prominently in the modern nation of Israel, today? You may be totally shocked at the explosive, provocative answers to these questions!
A Jewish Orthodox Internet web site tells us: “The Magen David (shield of David, or as it is more commonly known, the Star of David) is the symbol most commonly associated with Judaism today, but it is actually a relatively new Jewish symbol. It is supposed to represent the shape of King David’s shield (or perhaps the emblem on it), but there is really no support for that claim in any early rabbinic literature. In fact, the symbol is so rare in early Jewish literature and artwork that art dealers suspect forgery if they find the symbol in early works.
“Scholars such as Franz Rosenzweig have attributed deep theological significance to the symbol. For example, some note that the top triangle strives upward, toward G-d, while the lower triangle strives downward, toward the real world. Some note that the intertwining makes the triangles inseparable, like the Jewish people. Some say that the three sides represent the three types of Jews: Kohanin, Levites and Israel. Some note that there are actually 12 sides (3 exterior and 3 interior on each triangle), representing the 12 tribes. While these theories are theologically interesting, they have little basis in historical fact.”
