Otto Friedrich AugustMeinardus was a German Coptologist and pastor (1925 – 2005). Hewrote an article titled TheHexagram or the Magen David in Byzantine Art (in the Bulletin of the ChristianArcheological Society 8 (period IV)(1975-1976) p. 97-100). In this article he claimsthat the current meaning of the hexagram as representing the House of David or theJewish heritage in Christendom is too dominant and leads to misconception. Inthe past the hexagram acceptance was wider than today, and its main functionwas ornamental.
Meinardus mentions severalhexagram designs
a- The Capernaum Synagoguetype with straight lines which eventually became the symbol of the state ofIsrael.
b- The Eshtemoa Synagogue type with curved lines[1], which is most frequently found on Byzantine ornamentation.
c- The six rayedstar [2] influenced by the I for Jesus and X for Christos
d- The six rayed star which "clearly signifiedthe heavenly body, as, for example, in the case of the upper part of theBarberini Diptych in the Louvre"
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[1] My teacher, Ze'ev Goldmann, thought that this Tri-loop symbol (which appearstwice on the Capernaum Lintel) is frequent Samaritan one, but appears also on aJewish Massoretic design in micrographic writing that has in its center a pieceof paper with text of the Tri-partite blessing of the Cohanim. It appears alsoon Neo-Paphos Mosaic Floor along with Crosses and the Swastika sign.
About 40 years ago Dr. Asher Eder took a picture of this Tri-Loop symbol on arelief in the ruins of an Herodian building in Beth-El, north of Ramallah.
a. Capernaum - straight lined star -4th century C.E.
Credit:Gabi Goldman
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b. Capernaum - curved lined star -4th century C.E.
Credit:Gabi Goldman
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c. Constantinople Christian sarcophaguswith XI monogram, circa 400 C.E.
ArchaeologicalMuseum in Istanbul
Source:CC image, English Wikipedia entry: Sarcophagus
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d. Barberini Diptych in the Louvre -6th century C.E.
Source: CC image, English Wikipedia entry: Justinián_I.
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