# The US Medal of Valor a Satanic pentagram? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 15, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618 "2012-01-15T17:44:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Theophane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@Theophane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theophane)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/1 "2012-01-15T17:44:18Z")
Is the US Medal of Valor a Satanic pentagram or am I crazy? :eek: Who has taken a good look at that medal? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/2 "2012-01-15T17:57:27Z")
It’s a star, not a pentagram. The Satanic pentagram will either not have any other symbols in it, or will have vastly different symbols from the MoV. ---
**Author:** ![Theophane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@Theophane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theophane)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/3 "2012-01-15T18:04:42Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > It’s a star, not a pentagram. The Satanic pentagram will either not have any other symbols in it, or will have vastly different symbols from the MoV. It resembles a pentagram. Two points up, one point down. Why was it designed in the shape of a Satanic pentagram? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/4 "2012-01-15T18:12:19Z")
> [@Theophane](#): > > Is the US Medal of Valor a Satanic pentagram or am I crazy? :eek: > > Who has taken a good look at that medal? I need a ruling from the moderators-if I pick truthfully, I am breaking the rules. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/5 "2012-01-15T18:12:57Z")
The five pointed star is a very old, very basic symbol. You can have it one point up, two down, or two points up, one down, or one point going straight to the left or the right. I think that you are looking for meanings that aren’t there. Google Medal of Valor images, and then Satanic pentagram images, and look at them side by side. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/6 "2012-01-15T18:41:58Z")
> [@Theophane](#): > > It resembles a pentagram. Two points up, one point down. Why was it designed in the shape of a Satanic pentagram? You’re taking a giant leap of logic there, pardner: A=B, therefore A=C, the unfounded assumption being that B also equals C. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/7 "2012-01-15T18:43:18Z")
> [@Theophane](#): > > It resembles a pentagram. Two points up, one point down. Why was it designed in the shape of a Satanic pentagram? You are begging the question, **Theophane**. IMO having a look at the [Medal of Honor’s](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Medalsofhonor2.jpg) orientation seems to me fairly likely it was chosen to give the substantial medallion a more stable attachment to the device that fastens it to the neck ribbon (because it is worn as a pendant around the neck, not as a pin on your lapel or breast pocket), as opposed to having a single-point attachment. I wonder if **Theophane** has had a look at how the star on US Navy’s Line Officers’ rank braid is oriented. As **Lynn Bodoni** mentions, the 5-pointed star, or heraldic “mullet”, is used in various applications and there are also various flags in the world where the “odd” point is even aimed lengthwise hoist to fly, i.e. “sideways”. And even if the particular form of mullet the US chose as its “star” were to be the legacy of our masonically-influenced founders, that would be just part of a centuries-old tradition of the pentagram as a symbol of _ **mystical wisdom** _. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/8 "2012-01-15T18:46:41Z")
> [@Theophane](#): > > It resembles a pentagram. Two points up, one point down. Why was it designed in the shape of a Satanic pentagram? Well, if you’re right, clearly then the Republican Party is a tool of Satan. They have three such stars on their [logo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Republicanlogo.svg). ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/9 "2012-01-15T18:47:25Z")
> [@Theophane](#): > > It resembles a pentagram. Two points up, one point down. Why was it designed in the shape of a Satanic pentagram? I’m fairly certain that “How much does this look like a Satanic pentagram?” was not one of the design criteria in creating the Medal of Honor. The five pointed star is a common symbol in American iconography. Although it’s usually point up, inverting it doesn’t have any particular meaning. In this case, the designer probably just flipped it around because having two stars at the top makes a convenient place to anchor the star to the cross bar. Alternatively, the US is secretly controlled by demons from the Netherworld. Which do you think is the most likely answer? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/10 "2012-01-15T18:50:03Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > And even if the particular form of mullet the US chose as its “star” were to be the legacy of our masonically-influenced founders, that would be just part of a centuries-old tradition of the pentagram as a symbol of _ **mystical wisdom** _. More likely, its tradition as a symbol of physical power and protection from evil. See also, old-timey sheriff’s badges (one point up). ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/11 "2012-01-15T18:51:01Z")
The design of the MoH dates back to 1862. Doesn’t satanism itself and the use of pentagrams to say “oooh, Satan!” date back to the turn of the century? Not the general pentagram=wisdom/mysticism thing doesn’t go back far (like astrology, you can make that case for just about any shape) but the design predates satanism. Mullets, however, are definitely a sign of the beast. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/12 "2012-01-15T18:54:42Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Well, if you’re right, clearly then the Republican Party is a tool of Satan. They have three such stars on their [logo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Republicanlogo.svg). “I tell you once, I tell you twice, what I tell you three times is TRUE!” Clearly, the Republicans wish to warn everyone about their evil. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/13 "2012-01-15T19:26:48Z")
> [@Theophane](#): > > Is the US Medal of Valor a Satanic pentagram or am I crazy? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/14 "2012-01-15T20:31:58Z")
Vocabulary, people! A **n-gram** is a star with the number of points its central **n-gon** has sides. A Star of David, for example, is a _hexagram_. For obvious reasons, a triangle or quadrilateral will not produce one. The people who [del]check out architecture and draperies for hidden erect penises[/del] worry about such things claim that a five-pointed star in “inverted” (two points up, one down) decorated wth a goat’s head and various Qabbalistic symbols is a Satanic symbol called a _pentagram_. I’m very skeptical of any significance to the alleged antiquity and occult roots of this symbol, but it’s a pentagram because it’s a pentagram, much like the Washington Monument is an obelisk. ---
**Author:** ![MostlyClueless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@MostlyClueless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyClueless)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/15 "2012-01-15T21:05:50Z")
While we’re here, the [inverted cross](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_St._Peter) doesn’t have to be satanic either. > [@](#): > > It is believed that Peter requested this form of crucifixion as he felt he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner that Jesus died. As such, some Catholics use this cross as a symbol of humility and unworthiness in comparison to Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/16 "2012-01-15T21:33:32Z")
It’s just a star. ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/17 "2012-01-15T22:04:45Z")
Have any of you ever paid attention to a 5-lug tire rim? Ever notice the shape it makes? Oh, I’m sure you’re just thinking, “It’s a pentagon, what’s the big deal?” Ha! That’s how they get you! See, think about it, when you change a tire, how are you supposed to screw the lug nuts back on? You alternate, right? What happens when you alternate lugs on a 5 lug tire rim? That’s right, you form a star pattern. Or maybe I should say… _a pentagram pattern_!!! Yes, it’s true sheeple, if you have a 5 lug tire rim, you’re riding on the wheels of Shaitan, the Dark Lord. That’s not your Michelin’s hugging the road, it’s the Fallen One guiding you to a life of sin after tricking you into performing his summoning ritual. Or maybe it’s a just a shape. IDK, whichever seems more probable to you, depending on how incredibly, mindbogglingly, absolutely batshit crazy you are. ---
**Author:** ![Theophane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@Theophane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Theophane)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/18 "2012-01-15T22:24:09Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’m fairly certain that “How much does this look like a Satanic pentagram?” was not one of the design criteria in creating the Medal of Honor. The five pointed star is a common symbol in American iconography. Although it’s usually point up, inverting it doesn’t have any particular meaning. In this case, the designer probably just flipped it around because having two stars at the top makes a convenient place to anchor the star to the cross bar. > > Alternatively, the US is secretly controlled by demons from the Netherworld. > > Which do you think is the most likely answer? The inversion of a five-pointed star does have meaning, and the US, like the rest of the world, is owned by Satan (KVJ Mat. 4:8-10). ---
**Author:** ![Terraplane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Terraplane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terraplane)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/19 "2012-01-15T22:32:10Z")
Join us Theophane. Join the forces of darkness. We’re winning, you don’t want to be on the losing side. Taste the apple, just a little bite. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618/20 "2012-01-15T22:32:14Z")
That would be from the King Vern Jamesion? 🙂 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-us-medal-of-valor-a-satanic-pentagram/609618.md?page=2)