Star of David Necklace Meaning, History and Heritage

The Star of David is probably the most widely recognized Jewish symbol in the world

It appears on the flag of Israel, on synagogues and on countless pieces of jewelry passed down through generations

Yet its story is more surprising than many people realize

An ancient shape, a relatively recent symbol

The hexagram, a six-pointed star made from two triangles, is an ancient geometric shape that appeared in many cultures and was not uniquely Jewish in antiquity

It has been found on a Hebrew seal from Sidon dating to the seventh century BCE and in the decoration of ancient synagogues in Galilee, probably as an ornament rather than a distinctly religious symbol

One notable early Jewish use appears on a decorated page of the famous biblical manuscript known as the Leningrad Codex, dating to around 1008

The Hebrew expression "Magen David", meaning "Shield of David", also predates the symbol and originally refers to God, as in the blessing after the Haftarah reading, "Blessed are You, Lord, Shield of David"

From Prague to the Zionist Congress

An important turning point came in fourteenth-century Prague

According to a widely held tradition, in 1354 Emperor Charles IV granted the Jewish community of Prague the right to carry its own flag bearing a Star of David, although firm documentation appears mainly in later centuries

Over the following centuries, use of the symbol spread through Jewish communities in Central and Eastern Europe, and by the nineteenth century it was widely associated with Judaism

At the First Zionist Congress in Basel in 1897, the Star of David was chosen as the symbol of the Zionist movement, partly because it was familiar to every Jew, and in 1948 it became the central symbol on the flag of the State of Israel

Personal and family meaning

Alongside its history, everyone brings their own interpretation

Some see the Star of David as a symbol of identity, belonging and continuity, some recall its connection to King David, and others give mystical interpretations to its two interlocking triangles, such as the connection between heaven and earth

For many families, a Star of David pendant is also a piece of jewelry passed down through generations, carrying memories with it

How to choose

• Bar and Bat Mitzvah: The Star of David is a classic gift for this milestone, boys are often given a medium-sized pendant on a stronger chain, and girls a fine, delicate pendant
• Style: Choose clean outlines for a modern look, or a solid, decorated Star of David for a traditional feel
• Color: Silver tones suit a relaxed, everyday style, while gold tones create a more celebratory look reminiscent of family jewelry
• Other occasions: Moving to Israel, beginning military service, graduation or a gift for a friend from abroad