Question: Is there some sort of meaning behind these symbols, similar to how the cross reminds Christians that Jesus died for our sake; or the Star of David represents the teachings of Judaism?
Baha’is
have informally adopted the nine-pointed star as a symbol for a number
of reasons. The word “Baha” (Arabic for “Glory”) corresponds to the
number nine in the Arabic system that assigns numerical values to
letters, called the Abjad system. Also, it was nine years after the announcement of Baha’u’llah’s Forerunner, the Bab, that Baha’u’llah
received His own revelation in a dungeon in Tehran (the Black Pit or
Siyah-chal). Nine also symbolizes comprehensiveness and culmination,
simply because it is the highest single digit number. Baha’i temples
have nine sides, as well, which symbolizes the fact that everyone is
welcome to come in and pray, regardless of what religious direction they
come from.
Baha’is often use a nine-pointed star on tombstones where Baha’is are
buried, but you’ll also see the symbol used in many different contexts
in the Baha’i community. It symbolizes the essential purpose of the
Baha’i teachings – to create one world, united under God.
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| The Baha’i ring-stone symbol |
The Baha’i ring-stone symbol, a calligraphic rendering of the phrase
“Allah’u’abha”, means “God is most glorious” — but it also does
something I think is truly lovely. It graphically depicts the
relationship between God, His Manifestations, and Man. The top bar
represents the world of God (the spiritual realm); the bottom bar that
mirrors it signifies our world; and the line between them symbolizes the
Manifestation of God (Christ, Buddha, Baha’u’llah, etc). The vertical
line that connects all three planes of existence exemplifies the Holy
Spirit. The two stars in the ring-stone symbol stand for The Bab (who
prepared the way for Baha’u’llah) and Baha’u’llah. This beautiful symbol
reminds Baha’is that we are connected to God through the Holy Spirit
and the Manifestation of God.
 | |
| Greatest Name – “Ya Baha’ul Abha” |
The last of these, which Baha’is call “the Greatest Name”, is an
artistically-drawn calligraphy of the Arabic phrase “Ya Baha’ul Abha”
meaning “O glory of the All-Glorious”. You may see this version, first
drawn by a renowned 19th Century Baha’i calligrapher named Mishkin-Qalam (who was one of the earliest Baha’is), hanging on the wall in Baha’i
homes. Rendered in the shape of an ark or boat, it can serve as a
metaphor for how the Faith of God through the ages has preserved
believers from the spiritual storm of this earthly life.
These symbols all represent ideas and concepts Baha’is revere: That
God continually educates humanity through progressive revelation; that
all religions come from one Creator; that the unity of humanity
represents the highest and most spiritual goal of our age.
written by bahaiteachings.org
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