Two Stars, Two Worlds: How Symbolism Shapes Identity and Bias

By Jamison Alister Young

Symbols are more than decorative shapes—they are living containers of meaning, identity, and unconscious belief. In particular, the Star of David and the Soviet star offer two profoundly different ways of seeing the world. These shapes are not just political or religious emblems; they are symbolic architectures of how cultures view power, order, autonomy, and belonging.

The Star of David, composed of two interlocking triangles, embodies a kind of balance—a relational tension. It represents harmony between opposing forces: heaven and earth, spirit and matter, male and female. Its form is self-sustaining, with no single center holding the structure together. Each triangle retains its autonomy even while it contributes to a larger whole. This star reflects a worldview that allows for multiplicity, interpretation, and layered identity—a worldview echoed in Jewish philosophical traditions, which encourage questioning, debate, and existential reflection.

By contrast, the Soviet star—a bold, five-pointed red shape—radiates from a central point. It reflects the ideology it served: unity through centralization, strength through conformity. Unlike the Star of David, its identity comes from the power at its center. It’s a symbol of directed purpose, revolution, and the collective over the individual. It doesn’t invite contemplation so much as command allegiance.

These differences aren’t merely aesthetic—they are symbolic encodings of culture. When individuals internalize these symbols, they begin to see the world through their geometries. One may unconsciously value complexity and nuance; the other, clarity and force. When these systems meet—especially in conflict or political discourse—the result is often deep misunderstanding, not just of ideas, but of the very nature of being.

This is where bias and prejudice are born: not always in rational disagreement, but in symbolic dissonance. One person may find the other’s way of thinking fragmented, chaotic, even dangerous. The other may see centralized thought as authoritarian or deadening. These judgments arise not from logic alone, but from a symbolic imprint buried within the identity of each individual.

By recognizing these symbolic structures, we open the possibility of bridging divides—not by demanding sameness, but by acknowledging that even our shapes—our internal geometry—can differ. To truly understand one another, we must sometimes first learn to see the world through another star.

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Tags: Star of David, Soviet star, symbolism, cultural bias, identity, architecture of thought, tribalism, visual meaning, semiotics