What's Your Calling: Religious Symbols Quiz

Answer: Judaism

Also called the "Shield of David", the Star of David is a six-pointed hexagram that is made with two equilateral triangles. While its origin is unclear, it is believed that it could have originated as a decoration in synagogues as early as the third or fourth centuries CE. During the Middle Ages the symbol was used in Jewish illuminated manuscripts. Zionists (those who wanted to reestablish Israel as the homeland of the Jews) choose the symbol to represent their cause in the late 1800s, and, of course, it was a well-known symbol of Judaism during the Holocaust. Since 1948 a blue Star of David has appeared on the flag of Israel between two blue stripes, a design that was taken from the Zionist movement of the late 19th century.

Answer: Christianity

Many ancient people, including the Macedonians and Persians, used crucifixion as a form of capital punishment. For the ancient Romans, it was reserved as a form of punishment for slaves and other criminals - a long, painful, ignoble way to die. The cross became associated with Christianity after Christ was sentenced to death by crucifixion by Pontius Pilate. All four Gospels give a narration of the events leading to Christ's death on the cross, which became the symbol of Christianity, as Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross to take away the sins of the world.

It is a reminder to sinners that they can be forgiven. The symbol became popularized during the reign of Constantine, as his mother, Helena, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and was believed to have found the one True Cross.

Answer: Islam

Some form of the crescent and star have been important symbols in the Middle East for centuries, even dating back to the beginning of civilization in ancient Sumer. As early as the 2nd century BC, it was used in Byzantium, where it was associated with the city's patron goddess, Artemis, but it was also used in the kingdoms of Pontus and Persia.

The symbol became popular for use on Islamic war flags during the Middle Ages, and it was adopted as the symbol of the Ottoman Empire, displayed on their national flag, from 1844-1923.

It is still unknown which of the early cultures provided the inspiration for the choice. Since then, the symbol has been seen on the national flags of many Islamic countries, including modern-day Turkey and Mauritania.

Answer: Hinduism

The Om is a sacred sound in Hinduism, and has been venerated for a long while, going all the way back to the ancient Upanishads. Hindus believe that when the world was created, Om was the first sound or vibration. The symbol is normally used at the beginning and end of sacred texts, prayers, and some ceremonies.

When it is used in meditation, it has a variety of meanings, such as "essence of breath, life, everything that exists" and "with which one is liberated", and is considered to be the name of God.

It is also used as a sacred chant in Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Answer: Buddhism

The Wheel of Dharma, also called the "dharmachakra" was used to represent the teaching of Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha)about the way to reach Nirvana. Dharma means "cosmic law and order" in Buddhism; the wheel was used by the Buddha to teach his messages of the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path.

It is believed that during the his first sermon he set the wheel into motion. The "wheel-turner" represented the "ideal king" and "the wheel of the law". One of the oldest known symbols in Buddhist art, it has also been used as a symbol in Hinduism and Jainism.

Answer: Shinto

A torii is a Japanese gate that is usually found at the entrance or within a Shinto shrine. It is highly symbolic, as it represents the leaving of the secular world and the entering of the sacred; once inside the shrine the presence of other gates represents the level of sacredness of the different rooms.

The oldest known existing stone torii dates back to the 12th century. Traditional gates are made of wood or stone, but many today are built with other materials, such as copper, stainless steel, or concrete.

Answer: Taoism

Also called yin and yang, the taijitu signal represents the duality in the world, according to Lao-Tzu, who some credit as the founder of Taoism. While some may say that yin is positive and yang is negative, it is very important to recognize that the two are really intertwined and complement each other, as the symbol shows.

Not only that, but there is an element of the other in each, which is necessary to create a balance between the two for true harmony to exist. When there is an imbalance, terrible things such as drought or flood may occur.

While it is believed that this concept existed in China long before Lao-Tzu, he did use it to explain the Tao, the natural order of the universe.

Answer: Wicca

A pentagram is made in the shape of a five-pointed star. An important symbol for thousands of years, it was used in the ancient Sumerian language to represent a corner or angle, by Pythagoras in ancient Greece as a symbol of mankind and the elements that comprise the human body, and by ancient Jews as a symbol of their Torah.

In addition, it was used by early Christians to represent the five senses, or the five wounds of Christ. Today the pentagram, as a symbol of Wiccans, is also called the pentacle.

It is used as an amulet to invoke ceremonial magic, as well as a tool upon which other sacred objects are placed for cleansing or charging.

Answer: Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism was a religion that was founded in ancient Persia in the fifth century BC by Zoroaster. It is one of the oldest religions in the world, and is continued to be practiced in some areas - especially Iran. The Faravahar, which still symbolizes the religion today, is also used by some to represent the state of Iran, which in ancient times was called Persia.

It is believed to have derived its name either from a Fravashi, or guardian angel, or a person's individual spirit. With a face that looks human, the figure has wings on both sides of its body. Each wing has three main groups of features which symbolize the emphasis on good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.

Answer: Sikhism

The Khanda symbol in Sikhism as a combination of three objects. In the center is the Khanda double-edged sword; the sword is surrounded by a chakram, which is a round throwing weapons. The outside of the symbol consists of two kirpans, which are single-edged swords.

The Khalsa symbol expresses the "Deg Tegh Fateh", a Sikh doctrine which says that members are to provide food and protection for the needy and oppressed.