The Magen David’s six-pointed hexagram, formed by two interlocking equilateral triangles, traces back to the pomegranate flower, known as Rimmon in Hebrew.By Gila Isaacson, JFeedIn the swirl of modern conspiracies, few symbols have been as misunderstood as the Magen David, often called the Star of David.A recent thread by Cheryl E (@CherylWroteIt) on X passionately dismantles the baseless claim that this Jewish emblem is the “Star of Remphan,” a myth peddled by antisemitic grifters.Far from a modern or colonial invention, the Magen David is a profound symbol of Jewish identity, rooted in biblical tradition, ancient history, and even nature itself.Here’s the captivating story of its origins, meaning, and enduring significance.Dispelling the Remphan MythThe notion that the Magen David is the “Star of Remphan”, a supposed pagan symbol mentioned in Acts 7:43, lacks any credible historical or biblical basis.Cheryl E writes, “There is not one credible source for this conspiracy theory. Not one ancient or even medieval source. The star of Remphan is never mentioned in the Bible nor ever described to what it looked like.”This libel, often spread by figures like Candace Owens, whom Cheryl calls out as a grifter whose “only real thing… is that she hates Jews,” thrives among certain Catholic, Communist, and Nazi circles.Yet, it crumbles under scrutiny, revealing a deeper truth about the Magen David’s sacred roots.Not a Star, Not a Shield, But a PomegranateIn Hebrew, Magen David translates to “Shield of David,” but Cheryl clarifies, “The symbol has nothing to do with a star. And even more interesting is that it also has nothing to do with a shield… at least not the kind of shield you would instantly have come to mind.”Instead, the Magen David’s six-pointed hexagram, formed by two interlocking equilateral triangles, traces back to the pomegranate flower, known as Rimmon in Hebrew.This fruit, revered in ancient Israel, symbolized fertility, abundance, and divine protection. “It’s not a star, and certainly not the star of Remphan,” Cheryl explains.“It is the flower of the young pomegranate… believed to feed a nation because each seed will bear many trees and many fruits.”The pomegranate is woven throughout the Torah, appearing in the stories of Abraham, Noah, Moses, and David. It adorned priestly robes, temples, and artifacts, valued more than gold for its life-giving properties.Cheryl notes, “Many scholars believe it was the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden… mentioned throughout the Old Testament, as well as depicted and carved into steles and ancient statues, pottery, clothing, and temples as far back as 5,000 years ago.”For David, it “shielded” him from harm, illness, and spiritual strife, embodying God’s promise to the Jewish people, a nation as numerous as the stars, born from the seed of Isaac.A Symbol Across MillenniaThe hexagram’s history predates the 17th-century Prague Jewish community, where some mistakenly believe it originated. Cheryl traces its use to the Bronze Age, appearing in Mesopotamia, Britain, India, and the Iberian Peninsula.The oldest undisputed Jewish example is a 7th-century BCE seal from Sidon, Lebanon, belonging to Joshua ben Asayahu.During the Second Temple period, it appeared alongside pentagrams and swastikas in synagogues like Capernaum, purely as a decorative motif.“There is no reason to assume it was used for any purposes other than decorative,” Cheryl writes, debunking theories linking it to Saturn or pre-Davidic sanctuaries.In the Middle Ages, the hexagram, often called the “Seal of Solomon” in Arab and Christian contexts, appeared in magical texts and amulets, including mezuzot, sometimes bearing holy names like the 72 names of God or the angel Taftafiyyah (Metatron).The 12th-century Sefer HaRaziel, a key kabbalistic text, connects the hexagram to divine knowledge, with Cheryl noting, “The geometric structures of the names in Hebrew alphabet are used in the shape of the Magen David.”By the 14th century, kabbalistic works like Sefer ha-Gevul explicitly named it “Magen David,” tying it to magical traditions and, later, messianic hopes among Shabbatean followers.From Prague to ZionismThe Magen David’s official use began in 1354, when Charles IV granted Prague’s Jewish community a flag bearing the hexagram, later called “King David’s flag.”Cheryl explains, “It therefore became an official emblem, probably chosen because of its significance as a symbol of the days of old when King David, as it were, wore it on his shield.”It spread through Moravia, Austria, and beyond, appearing on synagogues, seals, and ritual objects. By the 19th century, Jews adopted it as a counterpart to the Christian cross, symbolizing Judaism’s identity.“The Jews looked for a striking and simple sign which would ‘symbolize’ Judaism in the same way as the cross symbolizes Christianity,” Cheryl writes.The Zionist movement embraced the Magen David, with Theodor Herzl’s Die Welt featuring it in 1897. Even Heinrich Heine, a converted Jew, signed his letters with it in 1840, signaling Jewish pride.Tragically, the Nazis twisted it into a badge of shame, yet it endured as a symbol of hope.While Israel chose the menorah as its emblem, the Magen David remains on the national flag, embodying resilience and renewal.A Symbol of Life and LegacyThe Magen David’s true power lies in its connection to the pomegranate, a biblical emblem of life and divine favor. Cheryl writes, “It was symbolic of the nation of Israel, where from the fruit of our people… would come a nation with as many people as there are stars in the sky.”Far from a conspiratorial “Star of Remphan,” it is a testament to Jewish indigeneity, survival, and faith, rooted in nature and scripture.As Cheryl’s thread reminds us, understanding its origins not only dispels antisemitic myths but celebrates a symbol that has shielded and inspired the Jewish people for millennia.The post The Star of David has nothing to do with the pagan star of Remphan appeared first on World Israel News.