Pointed Stars

A regular 8-pointed star, an octagram is a self-intersecting, equilateral and equiangular polygon (figures 1 & 2). Archaeologists have discovered this design used in Babylonia (1830 to 1531 BC). Thomas Bradwardine (1290 to 1349), an English mathematician re-discovered the pattern. English medieval graffiti surveys have not recorded this motif, only and rarely a 5-pointed star, a pentangle.

Latvian pagan mythology employs a similar 8-pointed star called the auseklis that symbolises light protecting against dark and evil. Latvians carved it on or near doors or windows to prevent entry by Lietuvēns, the soul of any violently killed person who would harm people and domestic animals. The Hanseatic League Baltic maritime trade (1400 to 1800) linked Riga in Latvia to Boston, Lincolnshire. Could a visiting Latvian servant have drawn this complex ritual protection mark (figure 3)?

A hexagram is a 6-pointed star a compound of two equilateral triangles. Again seen in Babylonian times where a compass drawn circle aided construction. Belton's solitary hexagram graffito is a 6-fronted specimen (Figure 4). The hexagon is popular with modern occultists, but was it of similar significance in earlier centuries? The Clavis Inferni (“The Key of Hell”) by Cyprianus a late 18^th century treatise on black magic confirms that the hexagram did hold supernatural symbolism.

Conversely, the hexagon is the oldest guild emblem of German brewers with the right to tap barrels to sell beer. On the Stables the hexagon is located just meters away from the locations of the two original on-site breweries at Belton.

We have not found any pentagons, which is a documented Christian apotropaic symbol.