WordGarden.iohexagram
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈɛksəɡrˌæm/
US
- /hˈɛksəɡrˌæm/
Meanings
Noun
a six-pointed star or geometric figure
an I Ching figure made of six broken or unbroken lines
Beyond the definition
A hexagram is usually either a six-pointed star made from two overlapping triangles or a figure made of six horizontal lines. The star form appears in religion, history, and mystical traditions. Many people know it as the Star of David in Judaism, and it also appears in stories, symbols, and older spiritual systems.
The line-based form is especially important in the I Ching, an old Chinese book of divination, where each pattern of six lines carries a different meaning. So the word can point to a simple geometric shape, a religious symbol, or a sign used to explore ideas about change and balance.
The word "hexagram" comes from the Greek words hexa (meaning six) and gramma (meaning figure or drawing). It refers specifically to a star-shaped geometric figure with six points, created by superimposing two equilateral triangles. While seemingly simple in its construction, the hexagram carries significant weight across history and culture.
Perhaps most famously, it's known as the Star of David (Magen David in Hebrew), a widely recognized symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity. However, the hexagram predates its association with Judaism, appearing in ancient cultures like those of Mesopotamia and India. In these contexts, it often represented cosmic forces, the union of masculine and feminine energies, or served as a protective amulet.
In Western esoteric traditions—including Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and Wicca—the hexagram is considered a powerful symbol with complex meanings. It's frequently used in magical rituals and diagrams, representing elements, planets, or spiritual principles. Furthermore, the I Ching, an ancient Chinese divination text, uses the term to describe a different figure: 64 distinct hexagrams (combinations of six horizontal lines) serve as symbols to interpret life's patterns and offer guidance.
So, whether you encounter it as a religious symbol, a mystical diagram, or a geometric pattern, the hexagram is far more than just a shape—it's a rich tapestry woven with history, spirituality, and cultural significance.
Examples
- 1
Symbol
A hexagram was carved into the stone above the doorway.
- 2
Divination
In the *I Ching*, six coin tosses form a hexagram that the reader interprets.
- 3
Manuscripts
The manuscript contains several hexagrams, each with a short note about its meaning.
See also
Similar
- six-pointed star
Shades of meaning
- Star of David
- Solomon's seal
Contrast
- pentagram
- hexagon
Used with (collocations)
- draw a hexagram
- hexagram symbol
- unicursal hexagram
Word family
- hexa-
- -gram
Explore
- star polygon
- sacred geometry
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- hexagramnoun