CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Just wanted to ask a quick something about pentagrams being in many anime series....

I was watching the third season of Sonic X and at one point the bad guys turn on a sheild that immediatly takes the shape of a pentagram (though, in the english dub they called it a "star sheild"). I've also noticed them in other anime such as FMA, but it was a little suprising to see one in Sonic X...

So, I guess my question is does the pentagram have any significance in anime or is it like the Cross where it's just thrown in there to look "cool"?

Hm...I haven't seen that. I'll have to look for it and get back to you on it. Screenshots, here I come! I'll edit this post later.

1. A pentagram has five points and a hexagram has six points. Which one are you talking about?

2. Pentagrams (and various other star-shaped polygons, actually) have various mystical connotations, so I don't find it surprising to see them in fantasy anime. Overall, I wouldn't think too much of it.

Although, if it was an inverse pentagram, I would probably be more concerned.

Erm...what's the difference between an inverse pentagram and a regular pentagram? ^^; Just asking because I looked them up and got the same thing...

Momo-P wrote:Erm...what's the difference between an inverse pentagram and a regular pentagram?

Whether there are two points on the top or one (basically, whether it is pointing up or down). The symbol has been used in many cultures and times, but the inverse pentagram has strong ties to various Satanist sects as the Sigil of Baphomet. Normal pentagrams, however, are used by some groups to refer to positive magic. It is also a symbol of faith for Wiccans and other Neopagans.

As far as I know, pentagram whether inverted or not is just a peterson's graph. I have always considered pentagram just a symbol for starfish when I was young.

Yeah.
The inverted pentagram is connected to bizarre cults. An ordinary pentagram is used by various groups, but in this case, I'm inclined to believe it's just a general purpose magical symbol used for atmosphere.
Or as the Wikipedia article states:

In Japanese culture, the pentagram (五芒星 gobōsei) is a symbol of magical power, associated with the onmyoji Abe no Seimei; it is a diagram of the "overcoming cycle" of the five Chinese elements. As a predominantly non-Christian country, with a different set of associations attached to the symbol, there is no social stigma associated with it.

Pentagrams have been seen as representations of the human body, of the five elements in many belief systems (a commonly arrived-upon number but they don't always designate the same five elements) and of the five planets of the ancient sky (i.e. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the only five visible without a telescope to people who do not think of the Earth as a planet).

As I understand it, Pythagoras used a five-pointed star when discussing the elements (to him, they were Earth, Water, Wind, Fire and Psyche, i.e. spirit), the alchemists studied it, the Freemasons picked up on it, and the Founding Fathers of the US got it from the Freemasons, converting a Pythagorean geometric symbol into an element in our flag. As I understand it, though, the Japanese animators picked up on the pentagram from their own culture, where it has been used as an occult symbol as an outgrowth of Eastern philosophy unrelated to Pythagoras or Alchemists or anyone else from the West.

Occasionally you will see a six-pointed star in anime occult usages, but I've yet to see any explanations for that.

Some Christians also use pentagrams as positive symbols.

EricTheFred wrote:Occasionally you will see a six-pointed star in anime occult usages, but I've yet to see any explanations for that.

Do you suppose it's a screw up? After all, pentagram's are usually associated with magical things in anime, but look at Black Magician Girl (Dark Magician Girl) from YGO. She's quite obviously meant to be a magician, but the symbol on her clothes has six points, not five. If anything, I think it's just a boo boo. When I see star shapes in anime, I kind of group them together, I don't really pay attention to how many points they have. Someone could have just easily added one extra point or used a faulty source for the design. ^^;

beau99 wrote:Some Christians also use pentagrams as positive symbols.

Christianity did use the pentagram for a while, the five points representing the wounds of Christ.

And isn't a six pointed star the Star of David? XD

Nate wrote:Christianity did use the pentagram for a while, the five points representing the wounds of Christ.

And isn't a six pointed star the Star of David? XD

Not sure, but wouldn't that just prove the point that it's a screw up? I mean...using that symbol for magic? XD Still stand by the idea the artists don't pay much attention and group star symbols together.

Yeah, a six-pointed star/hexagram is the Star of David.
But it's also been used before by various Eastern Religions and Occultism.

Nate wrote:Christianity did use the pentagram for a while, the five points representing the wounds of Christ.

Which is what I meant, though some still use it for that reason, among others.

Alucard from Hellsing wears gloves with the pentagram symbol on it. Just thought I'd throw that out.

Considering it is anime, I'd say they just needed a symbol associated with a form of power that is considered fantastic or mystic. Depending on how prevalent the symbol is in Japanese culture, they may just use it to indicate the power source is mysterious and exotic in the same way Western media uses the common plot device of stating a relic or source of powers comes from Ancient China or use the Chinese or Japanese alphabet on the item in question.

....Or, in soooome cases, it could just be... It's a star. It's cute.

Why do magical girl anime use hearts so much?

It really depends on what the show is doing with it, in Slayers the 5 sided star wasa magical symbol for complete chaos, while the 6 sided star represented order and peace

For those who'd like a quick index look up research tool to Symbols & their Meanings.