Pagans wear and display religious symbols for the same reasons other people do: as a sign of faith, a reminder of commitments, and a source of comfort. This page explains the symbols you are most likely to see.
A religious symbol worn by a Pagan student, employee, patient, or person in custody should be treated exactly as a cross, a star of David, or any other religious emblem would be treated in the same setting.
Common Symbols
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Pentacle
A five-pointed star, or pentagram, within a circle. It is the most widely used symbol of Wicca and of Paganism generally. The five points are commonly understood as earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, and the circle as the wholeness that joins them. It is worn as a sign of faith and of protection.
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Triple Moon
A full moon between a waxing and a waning crescent. It represents the phases of the moon and the Goddess in her three aspects of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. It is especially common among Wiccans and in Goddess spirituality.
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Awen
Three rays of light, often beneath three points and within a circle. Awen is a Welsh word for poetic inspiration. The symbol is used by modern Druids, for whom it stands for the flowing spirit of inspiration and for threefold harmonies such as land, sea, and sky.
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Hammer of Thor
A short-handled hammer, also called Mjolnir, the weapon of the Norse god Thor. Small hammer pendants were worn in the Viking Age and are worn today by Heathens as a sign of their religion and of the protection of the gods.
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Triquetra
Three interlaced arcs forming a three-cornered knot. It appears in early Celtic and Norse art and has been used in Christian art as well. Pagans may use it for a threefold goddess, for land, sea, and sky, or for the unity of mind, body, and spirit.
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Spiral
One of the oldest motifs in human art, carved on stone monuments thousands of years old. For Pagans the spiral suggests the cycles of the seasons and of life, death, and renewal, and the inward and outward journey of the spirit.
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Ankh
A cross topped with a loop, the ancient Egyptian sign for life. It is worn by Kemetic practitioners, who honor the gods of ancient Egypt, and by other Pagans as a symbol of life and of the divine.
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Eight-Spoked Wheel
A circle with eight spokes representing the eight festivals of the Wheel of the Year and the turning of the seasons. It is found on altars, calendars, and jewelry.
Other Symbols You May See
- Tree of Life or World Tree: a tree whose roots and branches join the worlds. In Norse tradition it is called Yggdrasil.
- Triskele: three spirals or bent legs radiating from a center, a motif of ancient Celtic art.
- Horned circle: a circle topped with a crescent, representing the God of Wicca as lord of animals and the forest.
- Runes: the letters of the old Germanic alphabets, used by Heathens and others for inscription, meditation, and divination.
- Labyrinth: a single winding path to a center and out again, walked as a form of meditation.
- Images of deities: statues and pictures of goddesses and gods, kept on a home altar or carried as a pendant.
The Pentagram: Common Questions
Is the pentacle a symbol of evil?
No. The five-pointed star has been used for thousands of years by many cultures and religions, almost always as a sign of health, protection, or blessing. Its use in horror films tells you about films, not about Wicca.
What about a pentagram with one point down?
Wiccans normally display the pentagram with a single point upward. A point-down pentagram has been used in some Wiccan traditions as a sign of a particular degree of initiation, and it has also been adopted by groups unrelated to Paganism. If you are unsure what a symbol means to the person wearing it, the respectful course is to ask.
Is the pentacle officially recognized?
Yes. Since 2007 the pentacle has been among the emblems of belief available for government-furnished headstones and markers for United States veterans. The Hammer of Thor and the Awen have since been added to the same list.
Sacred Symbols and Hate Symbols
A few ancient symbols honored by Heathens, including certain runes, have been misused by hate movements. This has caused real harm to Heathens, who are sometimes wrongly suspected because of a religious pendant or tattoo.
Context is the guide. A Hammer of Thor worn as a pendant, runes on an altar, or an image of the World Tree is an ordinary expression of religion. Schools, employers, and correctional facilities should not ban such symbols as a class. Where there is a real question, look at the whole context and speak with the person. Pagan EdNet is glad to help: write to education@paganednet.org.
Handling Religious Objects
- Ask before touching a pendant, an altar, or any object on it. Many Pagans regard these items as consecrated.
- If jewelry must be removed for safety, as before surgery or in a workshop, explain why and return it promptly. A patient may ask to have it taped in place or kept within sight.
- Apply dress codes evenly. A rule that permits other religious jewelry should permit a pentacle or a hammer on the same terms.
- Do not ask a person to explain or justify a symbol as a condition of wearing it.
This page was last reviewed by the Education Review Committee in September 2026.