A
heptagram or
septegram is a seven-pointed
starThe star is an ideograph often representing the astronomical star for which it is named, though it also carries other meanings in various contexts.-Emblematic use:...
drawn with seven straight strokes.
In general, a heptagram is any self-intersecting
heptagonIn geometry, a heptagon is a polygon with seven sides and seven angles. In a regular heptagon, in which all sides and all angles are equal, the sides meet at an angle of 5π/7 radians, 128.5714286 degrees. Its Schläfli symbol is {7}...
(7-sided
polygonIn geometry a polygon is traditionally a plane figure that is bounded by a closed path or circuit, composed of a finite sequence of straight line segments . These segments are called its edges or sides, and the points where two edges meet are the polygon's vertices or corners...
).
There are two
regular heptagrams, labeled as {7/2} and {7/3}, with the second number representing the vertex interval step from a regular heptagram, {7/1}.
This is the smallest star polygon that can be drawn in two forms, as
irreducible fractionAn irreducible fraction is a vulgar fraction in which the numerator and denominator are smaller than those in any other equivalent vulgar fraction...
s.
The previous one, the regular
hexagramWhile generally recognized as a symbol of Jewish identity it is used also in other historical, religious and cultural contexts, for example in Islam, and Eastern Religions as well as in Occultism....
{6/2}, is a compound of two triangles.
Discussion
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A
heptagram or
septegram is a seven-pointed
starThe star is an ideograph often representing the astronomical star for which it is named, though it also carries other meanings in various contexts.-Emblematic use:...
drawn with seven straight strokes.
Geometry
In general, a heptagram is any self-intersecting
heptagonIn geometry, a heptagon is a polygon with seven sides and seven angles. In a regular heptagon, in which all sides and all angles are equal, the sides meet at an angle of 5π/7 radians, 128.5714286 degrees. Its Schläfli symbol is {7}...
(7-sided
polygonIn geometry a polygon is traditionally a plane figure that is bounded by a closed path or circuit, composed of a finite sequence of straight line segments . These segments are called its edges or sides, and the points where two edges meet are the polygon's vertices or corners...
).
There are two
regular heptagrams, labeled as {7/2} and {7/3}, with the second number representing the vertex interval step from a regular heptagram, {7/1}.
This is the smallest star polygon that can be drawn in two forms, as
irreducible fractionAn irreducible fraction is a vulgar fraction in which the numerator and denominator are smaller than those in any other equivalent vulgar fraction...
s.
The previous one, the regular
hexagramWhile generally recognized as a symbol of Jewish identity it is used also in other historical, religious and cultural contexts, for example in Islam, and Eastern Religions as well as in Occultism....
{6/2}, is a compound of two triangles. The smallest star polygon is the {5/2}
pentagramA pentagram is the shape of a five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes...
.
The next one is the {8/3}
octagramIn geometry, an octagram is an eight-sided star polygon.- Geometry :In general, an octagram is any self-intersecting octagon ....
, followed by the
regular enneagramEnneagram may refer to:* Enneagram of Personality, a model of human personality which uses an enneagram figure* Fourth Way Enneagram, a diagram used in the teachings of G. I. Gurdjieff and others associated with the Fourth Way school...
, which also has two forms: {9/2} and {9/4}, as well as one compound of 3 triangles {9/3}.
First heptagram {7/2} |
Second heptagram {7/3} |
Both heptagrams inscribed within a heptagonIn geometry, a heptagon is a polygon with seven sides and seven angles. In a regular heptagon, in which all sides and all angles are equal, the sides meet at an angle of 5π/7 radians, 128.5714286 degrees. Its Schläfli symbol is {7}...
|
Heptagrammic prism (7/2)In geometry, the {7/2} heptagrammic prism is one of an infinite set of nonconvex prisms formed by square sides and two regular star polygon caps, in this case two {7/2} heptagrams. An alternative representation with hollow septagram centers....
|
Heptagrammic prism (7/3)In geometry, the {7/3} heptagrammic prism is one of an infinite set of nonconvex prisms formed by square sides and two regular star polygon caps, in this case two {7/3} heptagrams....
|
Cultural
Religious/occult symbolism:
- The second heptagram is known among Wicca
Wicca is a neopagan, nature-based religion. It was popularised in 1954 by Gerald Gardner, a retired British civil servant, who at the time called it a "Witch cult" and "Witchcraft", and its adherents "the Wica"....
ns as the Elven Star or Fairy Star, a sacred symbol to those who follow the FaeryFaery Wicca, or Fairy Wicca is an umbrella term that refers to any tradition of modern Wicca that places an emphasis on the Fae , their lore, and their relation to the natural world....
tradition. Similarly, it has been adopted as an identifier by some members of the OtherkinOtherkin are a primarily Internet-based subculture of people who identify in some way as non-human. Otherkin often believe themselves to be mythological or legendary creatures, explaining their beliefs through reincarnation, having a nonhuman soul, ancestry, or symbolic metaphor.Common creatures...
subculture. Blue Star WiccaBlue Star Wicca is one of a number of Wiccan traditions, and was created in the United States in the 1970s based loosely on the Gardnerian and Alexandrian traditions...
also uses the symbol, where it is referred to simply as a septegram. The second heptagram is also a symbol of magickal powerMagic, sometimes known as sorcery, is the practice of consciousness manipulation and/or autosuggestion to achieve a desired result, usually by techniques described in various conceptual systems...
in other PaganPaganism is a word with several different meanings.In its broadest definition, pagan denotes all non-Abrahamic religions, that is to say it denotes all religions other than Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.Other usages are:*Paganism may mean Polytheism: The group so defined includes most of the...
religions.
- The first heptagram was used as a symbol in the Kabbalah
Kabbalah is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the mystical aspect of Judaism. It is a set of esoteric teachings that is meant to explain the relationship between an infinite, eternal and essentially unknowable Creator with the finite and mortal universe of His creation...
, and later by Aleister CrowleyAleister Crowley , born Edward Alexander Crowley, was an English occultist, writer, mountaineer, poet, yogi, and possibly a spy...
and the Ordo Templi OrientisOrdo Templi Orientis is an international fraternal and religious organization founded at the beginning of the 20th century....
where it was known as the Star (or Seal) of BabalonBabalon—also known as The Scarlet Woman, The Great Mother, or the Mother of Abominations—is a goddess found in the mystical system of Thelema, which was established in 1904 with Aleister Crowley's writing of The Book of the Law...
.
- The heptagram is also used in Christianity to symbolize the seven days of creation and became a traditional symbol for warding off evil, thus the reason that most sheriff's badges are first heptagonal shaped.
- The heptagram is also the symbol of perfection (or God) in many Christian religions.
- In alchemy
Alchemy is both a philosophy and a practice with an aim of achieving ultimate wisdom as well as immortality, involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of several substances described as possessing unusual properties...
, a seven-sided star can refer to the seven planets which were known to ancient alchemists.
Flags:
- The seven pointed star is incorporated into the flags of the various bands of the Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation is the largest of three Cherokee federally recognized tribes in the United States...
and the badges of Navajo Tribal PoliceNavajo Tribal Police or Navajo Nation Police is the law enforcement agency on the Navajo Nation in the Southwestern United States. It is under the Navajo Division of Public Safety. It is headed by a Chief of Police, six Police Captains and eight Police Lieutenants...
(as well as other police.)
- The Flag of Australia
The flag of Australia is the national flag of Australia. It was chosen in 1901 from entries in a worldwide design competition held following Federation. It was approved by Australian and British authorities over the next few years, although the exact specifications of the flag were changed several...
employs five heptagrams and one pentagramA pentagram is the shape of a five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes...
to depict the Southern CrossCrux is the smallest of the 88 modern constellations, but is one of the most distinctive. Its name is Latin for cross, and it is dominated by a cross-shaped asterism that is commonly known as the Southern Cross because since the time of Christ it has been easily visible from the southern...
constellation and the Commonwealth StarThe Commonwealth Star is a seven-pointed star symbolising the Federation of Australia which came into force on 1 January 1901....
.
- Some old versions of Coat of arms of Georgia (country)
Georgia's coat of arms was adopted on 1st October 2004. It is partially based on the medieval arms of the Georgian royal house of Bagrationi....
including Soviet days had used {7/2} heptagram as an element.
Modern:
- The rock band Tool
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1990. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. The current bassist is Justin Chancellor, who has been with the band since 1995...
has been known to use an irregular heptagram star on-stage and as part of their ToolArmy logo.
See also
- Star (symbol)
The star is an ideograph often representing the astronomical star for which it is named, though it also carries other meanings in various contexts.-Emblematic use:...
- Stellation#Stellated polygons
- List of regular polytopes#Two Dimensions 2
External links