Gzhel Star of David Platter - Blue and white porcelain

The Star of David, known in Hebrew as the Shield of David or Magen David, is a generally recognized symbol of Jewish identity and Judaism. The name David in ancient Hebrew consisted of three letters: Dalet, Vav, Dalet; the letter Dalet was depicted as a triangle. King David used the six-pointed star as his signature (the two triangles of his name). The middle letter Vav means a six - pointed star. Six points of the star symbolize that God rules the world and protects us from all sides: from the north, the south, the east, the west, from above and below. King David portrayed this star on his battle shield as the sign of God. In the 17th century a new tradition was established, whereby the Star of David was depicted on the walls of synagogues, and marked them as Jewish houses of worship. Nowadays it is also depicted on the state flag.