Lucky Star Trivia Quiz

Answer: Ottoman

The star and crescent in different forms has been used for many centuries by different cultures however it is only relatively recently that it has been interpreted as a symbol of Islam. The Ottoman Empire first used it in a flag for their navy in 1793 and the Turkish flag can trace its roots to a later Ottoman flag.

A number of other Muslim countries have also adopted the symbol on their national flags. The photograph was taken at Al-Mawaddah Mosque in Singapore.

Answer: Shield of David

The Star of David is usually associated with Judaism. Alternative names include the Shield of David and Magen David. The Seal of Solomon also contains a hexagon but was reportedly a powerful signet ring belonging to King Solomon. In Islamic belief, the Seal of Solomon is the Star of David.

At one time a pentagram (five-point star) was used as the Star of David. The photograph showing the Star of David was taken at the synagogue in Freiburg, Germany, opened in 1987.

Answer: Khanda

The Khanda incorporates two other types of weapon. The circle around the Khanda represents the chakkar (or chakram), a throwing weapon. The two curved swords surrounding the chakkar are kirpans. Of the other answers, they are all swords: the katana is from Japan, the katzbalger was a German short sword, and the kukri is a Nepalese tool and weapon used by Gurkha soldiers.

Answer: Baha'i

The nine-pointed star is one of the symbols associated with the Baha'i faith. The one in the photo is to be found in the Baha'i Gardens in Haifa. Other Baha'i symbols include the five-pointed star (or haykal), the Greatest Name and the ringstone symbol. The five-pointed star is the official symbol of the Baha'i faith.

Answer: Taoism

The photo shows the taijitu (or yin-yang symbol), which represents the concept of complementary opposites. The concept is linked to the philosophy and religion of Taoism as well as other Chinese philosophies such as Confucianism. It also influences traditional Chinese medicine, and several Chinese martial arts such as tai chi.

Answer: Wheel of Law

The photo shows a wheel of dharma (or dharmacackra), which is one of a suite of symbols sacred to a number of Indian religions. The wheel of dharma is one of the more important Buddhist symbols and is ascribed several meanings, depending on how many spokes the wheel has, amongst other features. The photo was taken at Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet.

Answer: Moroni

In Mormonism, the Angel Moroni is a key figure in the church founded by Joseph Smith. The Angel Moroni is said to have shown Smith ancient writings on golden plates which Smith then translated as the Book of Mormon, one of the sacred texts of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints.

Answer: Om

Om is one of the more important symbols in Dharmic religions. It is a sacred sound of Hindu origin. It starts a number of mantras (such as the Sanskrit mantra "Om mani padme hum") and is a mantra by itself. The symbol is also called aum, omkara or aumkara.

Answer: Auspiciousness

The swastika symbol has a history going back thousands of years both in Europe and Asia. There are left-handed and right-handed versions. The right-handed version is still used in Hindu temples and ceremonies as an affirmation of good luck, health and prosperity. Both versions are used in certain tantric practices and in a number of religions. Since the Second World War and its use by the Nazi Party, a stigma has been attached to the symbol.

The photo was taken at the Buddhist temple of Kek Lok Si in Malaysia.

Answer: Ichthys

The word comes from the Greek for "fish". It has been observed that the Greek letters forms an acronym, which stands for Iēsous Christos, Theou Yios, Sōtēr. This translates as Jesus Christ, God's Son, Saviour. There is a written reference to the acronym dating from the early 5th century. The fish is also said to have been used as a secret sign by early Christians. It is not clear when a fish was first used as a symbol; however, it pre-dates Christianity.

In the photograph a collection of ichthys symbols has been used to make a larger fish.