Geometric Musing Part 2. The Christmas Star

In Geometric Musings Part 1 I covered Celtic Influences. Part 2 ponders the shape of Christmas stars:

Wire wrapped Connemara marble star ornament

One of the most traditional, geometric shapes associated with Christmas is the star. The design is traditionally based on either the 6 pointed hexagram (above) or a five point star whether simple or showing the internal lines as in the 5 point pentagram. Other variations occur too, especially today.

This star above was cut by a Galway mason in dark green Connemara marble. It is a  hexagram; a geometric shape with 6 points, one at the top and the bottom and two at each side.

Some friends have mused whether it is truly a Christmas star as the hexagram is actually the Jewish Star of David.  Yes this is indeed so,  and by the way, this form is also known as the Star of Bethlehem. Up until now, to me a star was a star no matter how many points. Intrigued, I decided to do a bit of research. (I checked out several resources but I mainly link back to ol' Wiki as a fairly neutral reference source.)

mini Connemara marble star set (SOLD OUT)

 Yes indeed, the 5 point star (above) is frequently used for Christmas ornaments. This star has two points at the bottom, not one.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia.

And yes it is true, the 6 pointed hexagram is the Star of David, but the form is not exclusively Jewish. This shape is also found in art across several religions, particularly in Eastern cultures and to some extent, Christianity. This religious painting featuring the 6 point star can be seen at St Nikola Church, Madeconia, Europe, for example. The hexagram star is also featured in the ceiling at Washington National Cathedral .

Adoration of the Magi, Giotto, courtesy Wikimedia

Historically, in paintings of nativity scenes, the Star of Bethlehem was mostly depicted as either a comet (a ball of light with a trail behind it) or more stylised, in the hexagram shape, with the trail of light shooting down to earth from the point at the bottom.

8 point star

Somewhere along the way it even became an 8 pointer! And this latter is very commonly seen atop our festive trees today.

4 point star

 And just to confuddle things further, let's not forget the simple elegance of a 4 pointer, featured frequently in the nativity scene on modern greeting cards.

drawing a hexogram is easy

To me the Hexagram seemed a perfectly natural shape for a Christmas star even though the one we had on our tree growing up was definitely a simple 5 point and my current one is in fact, an 8 pointer. It dawned on me then that as a small child, when learning to draw the nativity scene and make Christmas cards, I was taught the hexagram. I've also seen my 5 year old niece do the same. This is hardly surprising as it is probably the easiest way to draw a star, especially for a child. You just draw a triangle first and then an upside-down one on top. 

I conclude that anything goes when it comes to a modern Christmas ornament. A star is still a star and to question it might  be a bit.....well, pointless.......

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Click here to view my Irish Christmas ornaments on Etsy

Click here to view my Connemara marble jewellery

Geometric Musings Part 1. Celtic Influences

geometric Connemara marble, onyx and Sterling silver ornament

 Geometry was about the only aspect of mathematics I enjoyed as a teenager and I suspect that had more to do with aesthetics than actual maths. My father is a retired accountant and avid mathematician. My mother, however, is very much an artist, who has mastered multiple crafts and now in her autumnal years, has finally turned to painting.  I take after both of them in many ways, but guess I know who influenced me most.

Though I tend to doodle flowers and swirly shapes, as a teen I whiled away much time practicing Celtic knots, spirals and 'plaits' and other intricate, Celtic borders.

Cork red marble earrings with Celtic knot bead

Hardly surprising that these elements crop up in so many of my designs today. I didn't start out using Irish references in my work. It was a natural evolution once I started discovering beautiful Irish materials.

                                 

   spiral charm on Connemara Pendant                                                    tightly wound spiral on tree ornament

The spiral is one of the most recognisable Celtic shapes, though it is not exclusive to this ancient culture. It shows up in various parts of the globe including Africa and South America. It is believed that for the Celts, the spiral may have represented infinity, the circle of life or even afterlife.

loose spiral

Spiral & squiggle wire work

                               

I find it most relaxing to form a spiral out of wire. If I've hit one of those creative blocks, where nothing inspires me, I wind and hammer spiral charms and swirly hooks to use later. I guess it's akin to taking a few stretches or taking a short walk when you can't motivate yourself to launch into strenuous exercises.

wire wrapped pendant with triple spiral

Spirals are found frequently in modern, wire-wrapped jewellery all over the globe. They are aesthetically pleasing and an alternative way to 'finish off' the wire ends neatly rather than flattening them around the base of the bail.  The triple spiral in this wire-wrapped pendant was a slightly more complicated spin on that concept.

 

I formed the wire hook on this Christmas star out of silver wire, vaguely referencing another typical, Celtic shape, the figure 8.

In part 2 I will be comparing the 6 pointed hexagram (above) versus a five point star  for Christmas ornaments. Which is the 'correct' shape? Do please pop back on Tuesday to read more.

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Click here to read about Connemara marble

Click here for more items featuring spirals