What Is the Meaning of a Five-Point Star Tattoo?

Five-pointed stars are often seen as religious or spiritual symbols.

The two most popular five-point star tattoos, according to the website Vanishing Tattoo, are the pentagram and the nautical star. Symbolic for their religious meanings, both the pentagram and the nautical star have alternate meanings when in upward- or downward-facing positions, which usually are linked with goodness (up) and evil (down).

History of Star Tattoos

According to the website Vanishing Tattoo, a star tattoo can have five, six or nine points, but five-pointed stars are the most popular. Star tattoos can symbolize light dwelling within darkness or an individual's hidden spark, or the star's nocturnal nature can represent an individual's inner turmoil over the darkness or the unknown. The orientation of the points of stars is also an important factor, particularly in the five-pointed pentagram star.

Downward-Facing Pentagrams

A pentagram with a downward-facing point is symbolic of the devil. This arose because of the five-pointed star's close resemblance to a ram's head, which is a symbol of the devil, when facing downward. According to the website Math World, the pentagon is also known as the five-point pentacle, pentalpha or pentagle. One of the oldest symbols on Earth, the pentagram dates back to 4000 B.C. and was first used by pagans as a symbol of the sacred goddess. In modern day culture, particularly in the downward-facing position, the pentagram is a symbol of devil worship.

Upward-Facing Pentagrams

When the pentagon's point is in the upward-facing position, it symbolizes protection and balance in Celtic lore. Among Celtics, the five-pointed star was worn by story-tellers and magicians, and represented the four manifest elements (earth, wind, water and fire) below the fifth, upright element, which was the spirit. The spirit's placement above the manifest elements was key, as was the yin-yang nature, which represented nature's harmony.

Nautical Stars and Guidance

According to the website Vanishing Tattoo, the image of a nautical star is one of the oldest forms of tattoos, dating back a century or more. The nautical star represents a sailor's wish to arrive home from a voyage safely. The five-pointed nautical star was a symbol of the night sky's north star or southern cross, which were maritime navigational tools to steer a ship homeward. A superstitious tattoo, many sailors believed that a nautical star was necessary in their safe return home to port. Nautical stars are also associated with and worn by soldiers for their universal meaning of guidance, which has become a modern day meaning for the tattoo.

Nautical Star Positions and Designs

When tattooed in the upward position, the nautical star is said to mean that the wearer has a more positive outlook on life. Modern nautical star designs can include stars that are tilted to one side or the other, stars with water or sea designs such as anchors within or around the five-pointed star, or with various colors to represent the star's alternate shading.

References

• Vanishing Tattoo: Tattoos Design Symbols - Stars
• Vanishing Tattoo: Tattoos Design Symbols - Nautical Stars
• Math World: Pentagram