Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Double Square

Double Square - Rub el Hizb
CC picture by dewes008 (c) from Flickr

Like the hexagram, which is comprised of two equilateral triangles, the octagram (eight-pointed star) is comprised of two squares.

Possible origin: Tartessos, an ancient civilization based in Andalusia, which lasted till the 6th Century B.C.E.

Spanish name: Estrella tartésica

Arabic name: Rub el Hizb (the Quran is divided into 60 chapters each of which is called Hizb) – it marks the end of a chapter in Arabic calligraphy.

Also called: al-Quds star

Indian name: Star of Lakshmi representing the eight forms of the goddess Lakshmi.