What is the Star of David?
The Star of David is a hexagram: two equilateral triangles, one pointing up and one pointing down, laid over each other to form six points. In Hebrew it is called מגן דוד, Magen David. It marks synagogues, prayer books, gravestones and Jewish homes around the world, and it sits at the center of the flag of Israel.
Why is it called the shield of David?
The name ties the shape to King David, who in Jewish tradition wrote many of the Psalms. The Psalms return again and again to God as a shield. The star itself is not described anywhere in the Hebrew Bible; the link is one of tradition and imagery, not of scripture.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield.”
Psalm 28:7
When did it become a Jewish symbol?
Six-pointed stars appear in many cultures. In Jewish settings, the star took on its meaning step by step:
- Middle Ages. Six-pointed stars decorate Hebrew manuscripts, including a page of the Leningrad Codex, copied around 1008.
- Following centuries. The star appears on synagogues, community seals and ritual objects across Europe, notably in Prague.
- 19th century. It becomes the most widely used emblem of the Jewish people, chosen by the Zionist movement in 1897.
- The Holocaust. The Nazis force Jews to wear a yellow star as a mark of persecution.
Wearing a Star of David today carries that memory too: it is worn with pride, by people who refuse to hide it.
What does it symbolize today?
- Identity. Belonging to the Jewish people, whatever your practice.
- Faith. The shield of the Psalms: protection and trust.
- Memory. A link to the generations who wore it before you.
- Milestones. Given at a Bat Mitzvah, a wedding or a birth.
Can anyone wear a Star of David?
There is no rule against it. Many people wear one as a gift from a Jewish partner or family, or as a sign of solidarity. What matters is respect: it is a symbol of a people and its history, not a fashion motif.
How to choose a Star of David necklace
Choose sterling silver for everyday wear and a first piece, moissanite for a milestone, and gold-tone steel if the necklace never comes off.
| Material | Best for | Our price |
|---|---|---|
| 925 sterling silver | First real jewelry, everyday | $64.90 to $109 |
| Moissanite on sterling | Weddings, anniversaries | $149 to $229 |
| Gold-tone stainless steel | Never taking it off | $44.90 |
For a first necklace, a pendant of 12 to 16 mm on an 18 inch chain sits just below the collarbone and works with everything. Larger stars of 20 mm and more read as a statement piece.
How to care for it
- Off before water. Swimming and showers wear plating fastest.
- Store it dry, in its pouch, away from perfume.
- Wipe sterling with a polishing cloth when it darkens.