The Pentagram of the Witches is a five-pointed star, drawn in one continuous motion and often enclosed within a circle. With a single point facing upward, it stands as one of the most recognizable symbols in modern witchcraft and pagan traditions.
Each point of the pentagram carries deep meaning, representing the five classical elements that form the foundation of many magical systems.
The top point symbolizes Spirit—the divine force that connects all things. Moving clockwise, the remaining points represent Water, Fire, Earth, and Air. Each element is also linked to a direction, a season, and a phase of life.
The circle surrounding the pentagram is a powerful symbol in itself. It recalls the magic circle cast during rituals, signifying unity, wholeness, and the interconnectedness of all things. The circle also represents the cycle of life, the cosmos, and the boundary between the ordinary and the sacred.
When the pentagram is inscribed on a disk, it becomes the Pentacle—a ritual tool associated with the element of Earth. The Pentacle is used in ceremonies for grounding, protection, and invoking elemental energies.
Many witches wear small silver pentagrams as amulets or ritual jewelry. These are believed to offer protection, enhance spiritual awareness, and serve as a sign of one’s chosen path.
The pentagram’s history stretches back thousands of years. The earliest known examples appear in Mesopotamian writings from around 3000 BC, where it was used as a pictogram for the Sumerian word “UB,” meaning “corner, angle, nook; a small room, cavity, hole; pitfall.”
Over the centuries, the pentagram has been adopted by many cultures and spiritual traditions, each giving it unique meanings and associations.
In ancient Greece, the pentagram was called the Pentalpha, or “five A’s,” and was associated with the teachings of Pythagoras, who saw it as a symbol of mathematical perfection and harmony.
The pentagram has also been known as the Endless Knot, the Eastern Star—used in Masonic traditions and said to represent the star followed by the Magi in Christian myth—the Star of Knowledge, and the Seal of the Templars.
Sometimes, it is mistakenly called the Seal of Solomon, though that name more accurately refers to a six-pointed star. In Kabbalistic tradition, the pentagram is known as the Pentagrammaton, or “the five-letter word,” representing the ineffable name of God when combined with the Shekinah.
Other names for the pentagram include the Goat of Mendes, the Seal of the Microcosm, Gawain’s Garter—named for the legendary knight who bore the symbol on his shield—the Witch’s Foot, and the Goblin Cross.
Interestingly, early Christians used the pentagram to symbolize the five wounds of Jesus, and it was considered a protective emblem long before it became associated with witchcraft.
The orientation of the pentagram also holds significance. With a single point facing upward, it represents Spirit presiding over Matter—a symbol of harmony and balance. When inverted, with two points up, it can signify Spirit being dominated by Matter, and is sometimes used in certain traditions to represent the second degree of initiation in witchcraft.
The pentagram appears in nature and the cosmos as well. The planet Venus, for example, traces a pentagram-shaped path in the sky every eight years, inspiring myths and magical associations with the morning and evening star.
In the plant world, cutting an apple crosswise reveals a natural pentagram formed by the seed chambers. Many flowers associated with magic, such as the apple blossom, rowan, and rose, have five petals, echoing the pentagram’s form.
In magical practice, the pentagram serves as a portal or gateway—a means of focusing energy, invoking protection, and connecting with elemental forces. It is drawn in the air during rituals, inscribed on tools, and visualized in meditation.
Whether worn as jewelry, traced in ritual, or contemplated as a symbol, the pentagram remains a powerful emblem of the witch’s path. It represents the unity of spirit and matter, the balance of the elements, and the enduring connection between the practitioner and the mysteries of the universe.
