§ 16. THE PENTANGLE OR FIVE POINTED STAR THE GEOMETRIC SYMBOL OF THE GREAT PYRAMID.
From time immemorial this symbol has been a blazing pointer to grand and noble truths, and a solemn emblem of important duties.
Its geometric significance, however, has long been lost sight of.
It is said to have constituted the seal or signet of King Solomon (1000 B.C.), and in early times it was in use among the Jews, as a symbol of safety.
It was the Pentalpha of Pythagoras, and the Pythagorean emblem of health (530 B.C.).
It was carried as the banner of Antiochus, King of Syria (surnamed Soter, or the Preserver), in his wars against the Gauls (260 B.C.). Among the Cabalists, the star with the sacred name written on each of its points, and in the centre, was considered talismanic; and in ancient times it was employed all over Asia as a charm against witchcraft. Even now, European troops at war with Arab tribes, sometimes find, under the clothing, on the breasts of their slain enemies, this ancient emblem, in the form of a metal talisman, or charm.
The European Göethe puts these words into the mouth of Mephistopheles:
"I am hindered egress by a quaint device upon the threshold,—that five-toed damned spell."
I shall set forth the geometric significance of this star, as far as my general subject warrants me, and show that it is the geometric emblem of extreme and mean ratio, and the symbol of the Egyptian Pyramid Cheops.