The Origins and Significance of the Eight-Pointed Star

Discover the secrets of the eight-pointed star as it unfolds across spiritual traditions. The octagram, a powerful and ancient symbol, has transcended time and place—from its roots in ancient Mesopotamia to its modern-day significance in Wicca. Join us on a journey to explore this intriguing 8-sided emblem, delving into its spiritual importance, the names it holds in various cultures, and the deep meanings tied to the number 8 and the octagram itself.

The 8-pointed star, or octagram, is a symbol of great importance in various spiritual and religious traditions around the world, including Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Native American beliefs, Indigenous Canadian spirituality, and ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian religions. It represents ideals such as balance, harmony, spiritual awakening, and the cycle of rebirth.

Ancient Mesopotamia The 8-pointed star is closely linked to the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar, the Babylonian goddess of love and war. She embodies both creation and destruction, making her one of the most powerful deities in the ancient Near East. In Sumeria, she is known as Inanna.

• Much like Ishtar, the 8-pointed star (often referred to as the Star of Ishtar) represents a sacred space between heaven and earth, where followers can attain a higher state of consciousness.
• Ishtar also has ties to the planet Venus, known as the “morning star,” which is why her Roman counterpart is Venus, the goddess of love.

Ancient Egypt The 8-pointed star was used to symbolize 8 deities in ancient Egypt. These deities, four male and four female—Nanet, Nu, Amun, Amunet, Kauket, Kuk, Huh, and Hauhet—governed the four primal forces of nature: air, water, darkness, and infinity.

Christianity In Christianity, the 8-pointed star is known as the Star of Bethlehem. It is the star that guided the three Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Over time, this star has become a Christian symbol of hope, divine presence, miracles, and guidance. It also represents new beginnings, resurrection, and spiritual rebirth, as the number 8 follows the seventh day in the Biblical creation narrative.

Islam The 8-pointed star in Islam symbolizes the throne of God. Known as Khatim, which means “symbol of the prophets” in Arabic, it represents both the Islamic faith and the Muslim community as a whole. This star relates to a verse in the Quran that references the Day of Judgment, when 8 angels will surround God's throne.

• It also symbolizes the 8 virtues of the Prophet Muhammad: wisdom, justice, generosity, peace, kindness, patience, trustworthiness, and humility, along with the 8 nations that uphold Islam.
• The 8 points of the star are often seen as a symbol of salvation, and this design traditionally adorns Muslim homes during the Ramadan and Eid celebrations.

Native American and Indigenous Canadian Spirituality In the traditions of Native American and Indigenous Canadian cultures, the 8-pointed star holds deep connections to the cycles of life and nature. For the Mi’kmaq tribes of Canada’s maritime regions, the star symbolizes sol (the sun). Originally, it was a 7-point star representing the 7 districts of the Mi’kmaq people, known as the Lnuk, but evolved into an 8-pointed star with the inclusion of the Ktaqmkuk district in Newfoundland.

• The Mi’kmaq 8-pointed star is adorned with four colors: white for the north, red for the south, yellow for the east, and black for the west. It serves as a vibrant emblem of their nation, frequently appearing on artwork, jewelry, and quilts.
• In Lakota culture, the 8-pointed star is tied to the legend of the morning star. In this story, an elder medicine man becomes the morning star upon his death. The Morning Star is viewed as more powerful than both the sun and the moon, symbolizing wisdom and enlightenment.
• The 8 points of the morning star correspond to the four stages of life—infancy, youth, maturity, and old age—as well as the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west.

Buddhism The Dharma Chakra represents the 8-pointed star in Buddhist symbolism. Each spoke of this wheel embodies a key ideal: right livelihood, right action, right effort, right intention, right concentration, right mindfulness, right speech, and right view. By embracing these principles, Buddhists journey along the Noble Eightfold Path, leading to enlightenment.

• The circular shape of the Dharma Chakra also aligns with the Buddhist understanding of samsara, symbolizing the endless cycles of death and rebirth that pervade the universe.

Wiccan Spirituality In Wicca, the 8-pointed star is a central element of the Wheel of the Year symbol. Placed within a circle, the star has 8 points, each corresponding to one of the eight solar events throughout the year, including the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, the Summer and Winter Solstices, and the beginning of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

• Additionally, Wicca uses the Wheel of the Year to represent the 8 phases of the moon: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, third quarter, and waning crescent.

Gnosticism The concept of the ogdoad in Gnosticism features 4 male/female deity pairs. These 8 gods—Abyss and Silence, Truth and Mind, Word and Life, and Man and Church—form the foundation of Gnostic cosmology.

• In this tradition, ogdoad also refers to an astral theory that includes 7 planetary spheres with 8 fixed stars above them. This idea mirrors the 8 central gods in ancient Egyptian mythology.

Hinduism In Hinduism, the 8-pointed star is known as Ashta-Lakshmi, symbolizing the 8 forms of the goddess Lakshmi. Lakshmi is revered as the goddess of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune, and this symbol is deeply significant within Hindu spirituality.

Chaos Magic The 8-pointed star plays a role in chaos magic, a magical philosophy that emphasizes the use of practical techniques over fixed symbols. Chaos magic values experimentation and real-world outcomes more than absolute truths. The chaos sign in this tradition consists of 8 intersecting arrows centered in a cyclical shape, resembling the Dharma Wheel in Buddhism. This design symbolizes the idea that chaos magic draws from multiple systems and techniques, rather than adhering to a single one.

• The 8-pointed star is also associated with chaos theory, often represented by the butterfly effect. Both chaos theory and the butterfly effect illustrate the concept that small changes can lead to significant outcomes in the future.

The 8-pointed star carries numerous spiritual meanings. From representing good fortune and protection to embodying new beginnings and happiness, this ancient symbol serves as a powerful guide on the path to spiritual growth and enlightenment.

• Illumination: Linked to Venus, the morning star, and the sun, the 8-pointed star symbolizes light overcoming darkness, a metaphor for spiritual awakening and enlightenment.
• Creation: The 8-pointed star is connected to the birth of the universe, symbolizing the divine act of creation, and is often associated with growth, expansion, and the creative process.
• Solar Events: In various cultures, the 8-pointed star represents the 8 phases of the moon and 8 solar events, as well as the four seasons combined with the two solstices and two equinoxes. It serves as a reminder of our connection to the cyclical nature of life.
• Guidance: Often seen as a representation of the North Star (Polaris), the 8-pointed star is thought to offer direction, much like a compass, guiding us along our journey through life.
• Protection: The 8 points of the star are believed to protect against evil forces coming from the 8 cardinal directions. This talisman of protection is often placed on doors as a safeguard.
• Renewal and New Beginnings: The number 8 symbolizes resurrection, renewal, and the start of new chapters, signifying the eternal cycle of death and rebirth.
• Prosperity and Good Luck: The number 8 is associated with both material wealth and success, and is linked to the 8 auspicious symbols of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, the deity of fortune and prosperity.
• Balance and Harmony: The symmetrical design of the 8-pointed star reflects balance and harmony, representing the equilibrium between opposites. It also corresponds to the alignment of colors, directions, and elements.
• Infinity: When turned on its side, the number 8 forms the infinity symbol (∞), symbolizing the endless, unbroken cycles of life, death, and rebirth, as well as the infinite nature of the universe.
• Happiness: Representing light and the sun, the 8-pointed star is a symbol of joy and happiness, radiating positivity and warmth.

In astrology, the number 8 is associated with balance and harmony. It signifies the natural order of the universe, and its connection to the stars symbolizes the integration of cosmic energies. The number 8 is also tied to Saturn, the planet governing discipline and karma.

• The 8 points of the star represent the sun and the moon, as well as the infinite expanse of space.
• In spiritual geometry, 8 symbolizes equilibrium and the cyclical nature of existence, representing infinity through the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth. When turned sideways, the number 8 forms the infinity sign (∞), emphasizing its boundless nature.

The number 8 represents balance and harmony in alchemy. In this context, the number 8 embodies the four classical elements—earth, fire, air, and water—as well as the four primary qualities of matter: hot, cold, wet, and dry. Additionally, it symbolizes the pursuit of wisdom, particularly through the alchemical element of Bismuth.

• The Bismuth symbol itself resembles the number 8, with its top left open, further linking it to the idea of transformation and enlightenment.