Interrelating religious symbols from a two-dimensional perspective

Reconciling Symbols of Islam, Judaism and Christianity (Part #2)

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The basic approach is illustrated by the following, using the primary symbols of Islam and Judaism. Note that the six-pointed "Star of David" (also known as Magen David) is also recognized in Islam as the Seal of Solomon and is mentioned in the Quran. That hexagram appears in turn in Islamic artifacts and mosques worldwide (Star of David in Judaism; Star of David in Islam; Star of David in Christianity). Such a 6-pointed star is actually a common symbol in many different religious traditions. The pentagonal star is now widely associated with Islam by countries of that faith (especially on flags bearing the star and crescent), although the association does not derive from the origins of Islam. In the form of a pentagram, it has associations with many belief systems, including Christianity.

Both symbols are the subject of much speculation and a wide variety of controversial interpretations (especially when inverted), as usefully summarized by Catherine Beyer (The Hexagram's Use in Religion, ThoughtCo, 12 October 2017; Pentagrams, ThoughtCo, 24 October 2017; Complicated Polygons and Stars: enneagram, decagram, endekagram, and dodekagram, ThoughtCo, 8 March 2017). The pentagonal star is of major global significance at this time through its use by the Pentagon -- as a "world religion" in its own right -- as it may be variously considered (Reframing NATO and The Pentagon? 2017).

Indication of combining symbols through their geometry
	Fitting together symbols from left-hand column
Pentagonal star and Star of David	Single star of David and pentagonal star	3 Pentagonal stars around one Star of David

The approach above suggests more complex possibilities which are not readily comprehensible or meaningful in two-dimensions -- unless colour coding is used.

Further complexification of the symbol

By adding a pentagonal star to each of the 6 edges of the Star of David, these may be understood as a network that can be "folded" into three dimensions along the shared edges in order to interlock with a second Star of David. This then constitutes a form of container composed of 6 pentagonal stars and 2 Stars of David.

Rather than use of the Star of David as the "base", the same approach may be used with the Islamic pentagonal star

Progressive arrangement around Islamic pentagonal star of the Star of David
single Star of David	two Stars of David	four Stars of David	five Stars of David

In three dimensions the Stars of David are able to rotate along the particular edge they share with the pentagonal star as indicated in what follows. Alternatively, this rotation may be understood as enabling them to interlock with a second pentagonal star to create a form of container with 2 pentagonal star sides and 5 sides in the form of Stars of David.

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