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deckardcanineThe six-point star, or hexagram, is widely known today
To mean the Jewish folk or faith in many a display,
But Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist art makes use of it as well,
Especially in diagrams (what for, I couldn’t tell).
In early Christian churches, it can signify creation,
And Mormon temples have it stand for reconciliation.
To alchemists, it melds the classic elemental signs.
Occultists try to block or conjure spirits in its lines.
In Jewish and Islamic lore, it’s on the Seal or Ring
Of Solomon to indicate the power of the king
To order jinn and demons and communicate with beasts.
Historians dispute when this began in the Mideast.
The seal was also called the Shield of David, words that came
From somewhere in the Talmud as the Lord Almighty’s name.
It’s thought to have emblazoned shields of David’s army troops
And coins from when bar Kokhba led a Jewish rebel group.
So how’d it turn distinctly Jewish? See medieval Prague:
A Holy Roman Emperor said Jews could have a flag.
They chose the star, which spread ‘cross Eastern European Jews.
Then gentiles found the five-point star much handier to use.
Some folks would like to see the star replaced with a menorah
Or other Jewish symbol, like a scroll that’s labeled “Torah.”
They deem the star too sullied by its use for other stuff.
But I believe it now is recognizable enough.
To mean the Jewish folk or faith in many a display,
But Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist art makes use of it as well,
Especially in diagrams (what for, I couldn’t tell).
In early Christian churches, it can signify creation,
And Mormon temples have it stand for reconciliation.
To alchemists, it melds the classic elemental signs.
Occultists try to block or conjure spirits in its lines.
In Jewish and Islamic lore, it’s on the Seal or Ring
Of Solomon to indicate the power of the king
To order jinn and demons and communicate with beasts.
Historians dispute when this began in the Mideast.
The seal was also called the Shield of David, words that came
From somewhere in the Talmud as the Lord Almighty’s name.
It’s thought to have emblazoned shields of David’s army troops
And coins from when bar Kokhba led a Jewish rebel group.
So how’d it turn distinctly Jewish? See medieval Prague:
A Holy Roman Emperor said Jews could have a flag.
They chose the star, which spread ‘cross Eastern European Jews.
Then gentiles found the five-point star much handier to use.
Some folks would like to see the star replaced with a menorah
Or other Jewish symbol, like a scroll that’s labeled “Torah.”
They deem the star too sullied by its use for other stuff.
But I believe it now is recognizable enough.
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