Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, and the Pentagram
I recently learnt that the first mention of the pentangle – or pentagram – in English literature is in the Yuletide tale Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The 14th-century chivalric romance was originally written in Middle English, but the author is unknown.
Although Sir Gawain is depicted as a Christian knight in King Arthur’s service, the tale itself has themes about nature and seasonal cycles that resonate with pagans. The tale is also full of magical symbolism. Sir Gawain is described as having a pentangle on his shield. Here’s a translation of the relevant passage:
“Then they brought him his shield, which was of bright red, with the pentangle painted thereon in gleaming gold.
“And why that noble prince bare the pentangle I am minded to tell you, though my tale tarry thereby. It is a sign that Solomon set ere-while, as betokening truth; for it is a figure with five points and each line overlaps the other, and nowhere hath it beginning or end, so that in English it is called “the endless knot.” And therefore was it well suiting to this knight and to his arms, since Gawain was faithful in five and five-fold, for pure was he as gold, void of all villainy and endowed with all virtues. Therefore he bare the pentangle on shield and surcoat as truest of heroes and gentlest of knights.”
The pentagram symbolises various things in different traditions. For witches it represents the elements of air, fire, water, earth, and spirit, while in some Christian traditions it is a sign for the five wounds inflicted on Jesus at the crucifixion. In this text it means “truth”. Knights were supposed to obey the three principles of Truth, Love and Courage.
You can find both the Middle English version of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and the translation I quoted above for free on Project Gutenberg The picture is from a 14th century edition of the book.
To read more posts like this visit A Bad Witch’s Blog at www.badwitch.co.uk
Source: http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/12/sir-gawain-and-green-knight-and.html
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