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| Parol is a star-shaped ornament that is commonly displayed or hung during Christmas season in the Philippines. Commonly it is made out of paper, bamboo and other indigenous materials. Though it varies in size and shape, the most common design still resembles a pentagram or the basic star pattern. |
There, I can see you raising an eyebrow at me now, huh? Or perhaps you might be shaking your head while saying: "This guy must be crazy."
No, I am not crazy. Not at all. Honestly, I'm just being different.
Let me explain.
You may already have gotten your huge shining-shimmering, elegant and techni-colored Parol for Christmas. You might even have gone to this huge Christmas bazaar in Pampanga just to get one for yourself or for your house. Or maybe, since you just want to avoid the hassle of Christmas shopping, you decided to just create one using colorful art papers and other scrap materials you can easily find just around your house.
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| A stall that showcases and sells different designs, colors and sizes of Parol |
I know how much time, effort and money you spent just to get a Parol for Christmas, but did you ever wonder how this “star” got started and what this should mean to you?
You might say, "Ahh... Hundreds of years ago in Bethlehem, there's this huge star that suddenly popped up in the sky and guided these wise men to see the newborn, Jesus Christ." Well, that’s a very intelligent answer I guess, but don’t you know that there's a better version of that story? In reality, there were some facts—most are hidden—that can go contrary to this popular belief.
In this article, let me share with you some related topics in the history that will help you better understand what's really behind this glowing pentagram. And as Christians, what does the Bible really say about this? After reading this article, you'll be able to understand why I quit buying, creating, or hanging any of these colorful stuff in our front yard.
The Mystery behind the Circled Pentagram
The Encyclopedia Britannica describes a star as "any massive self-luminous celestial body of gas that shines by radiation derived from its internal energy sources." Usually stars are classified according to their size, the amount of energy they emit, their color and temperature.
The encyclopedia never mentioned any system of classification that differentiates the stars by shape nor describes even just one of them as pentahedral. I bet, even if you go out on a cloudless night and look up the sky; you'll never see any star perfectly shaped like that of a Parol.
The encyclopedia never mentioned any system of classification that differentiates the stars by shape nor describes even just one of them as pentahedral. I bet, even if you go out on a cloudless night and look up the sky; you'll never see any star perfectly shaped like that of a Parol.
So where then this mysterious shape might have originated? How does history affects its today's use as the Parol's framework?
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| Are real stars really shaped like these? |
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| A circled pentagram (pentacle) |
During the Renaissance, the pentagram is considered a symbol of the human proportion and was also thought that each pointed angles represents each of the 5 important elements that sustain life—the spirit, earth, air, fire, and water.
However, upon digging deeper into ancient symbolism, a circled pentagram—also called pentacle—has a darker meaning.
The 1975's Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms said:
“A pentacle is an amulet used in magical evocation, generally made of parchment, paper or metal (although it can be of other materials)... It is often worn around the neck, or placed within the triangle of evocation... They are also used in some neopagan magical traditions, such as Wicca, alongside other magical tools.”
Now, what is Wicca or who are the Wiccans anyway?
Here’s what the New World Encyclopedia has to say about it:
“Wiccans, use the pentagram as a symbol of faith similar to the Christian cross or the Jewish Star of David.
“Wicca (their religion) does, however, incorporate a specific form of witchcraft, with particular ritual practices, involving the casting of spells, herbalism, divination, and other forms of magic.”
Now, do you think the Parol still has any Christian origin after all?
Remember, the Bible too, warns anyone who practices witchcraft and other related rituals:
"There should not be found in you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, anyone who employs divination, anyone practicing magic, anyone who looks for omens, a sorcerer," Deuteronomy 18:10 (New World Translation)
“You shall not permit a sorceress to live."—Exodus 22:18 (English Standard Version, ESV)
The Star of Bethlehem—A Helpful or a Deceiving Guide?
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| The astrologers were on their way of searching the newborn Christ |
The Parol has also been associated with the star of Bethlehem—the star that led the wise men (they were more popularly known as magi or astrologers in the Bible) to where the newborn child, Jesus Christ was. But ironically, the Bible provided some clues that can prove that this star seemed not just an ordinary heavenly body that God has given to be a reliable guide.
In the Scriptures, the first part of the book of Matthews revealed the story of King Herod who got interested about the birth of Christ. Upon hearing the news that the Christ was born, he "secretly summoned the astrologers and carefully ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearing." Herod said, “Go make a careful search for the young child, and when you have found him, report back to me—Matthew 2:7, 8
Interestingly, the astrologers followed what the king has commanded them. "They went their way, and the star they had seen went ahead of them until it came to a stop above where the young child was."—Matthew 2:9, 10
But these astrologers didn't return back to Herod after all. "They were given divine warning in a dream" and "they departed for their country by another way."—Matthew 2:12
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| "Adoration of the Shepherds" by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622 |
After that, an angel has also appeared and talked to Joseph in his dream saying: “Get up, take the young child and his mother and flee to Egypt for Herod is about to search for the young child to kill him.”—Matthew 2:13
Basing on the story, does the "star" really played a big role in glorifying or sanctifying the birth of Christ or has it just created a shortcut for King Herod to easily track and kill the child? I don't think God will create anything that can endanger the life of his Son! Please also note that those who visited Jesus are not even Christians but Pagan astrologers—who have never been God’s friends.
So if not God who made the "star", is there any other persona who is capable of doing this kind of miracle? Yes, another powerful creature. Indeed, the maker is no other than Herod's unseen back-up, Satan — Read 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10
“Is the Parol Still Worth Hanging After All?”
Our genuine Filipino customs and beliefs serve as our identity that separates us from the different cultures around the world. For an instance, Christmas here in the Philippines is celebrated more extravagant than in some other countries.
However, a certain custom or belief can also be viewed like food. For example, before you eat anything, you always make sure you know that the food that you are about to touch is clean and safe. More importantly, you even want to know where it came from or how it was cooked. You never failed to use your senses to determine if it’s still fresh.
Like this case, imagine the Parol as if it's a food too. Does its origin seemed to be 'safe enough to be eaten?' It's undeniable that its origin is non-Christian at all based on historical and biblical findings. Its symbolism is as deep as a tunnel with no known portal of exit. The way it looks is sugarcoated—very appealing to the eyes—yet its history is as dark as it's being used also as a witchcraft emblem.
There is no law on human rights that will stop you from hanging or displaying one in your house though, so the decision of displaying a Parol is still your personal decision and I respect that. But again, think about all the facts that we've discussed. After that, ask yourself: Is the Parol still worth hanging after all?
References:
"Wiccans" New world encyclopedia
"Star" Encyclopedia Britannica
"Pentacle" Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms (1975)
“The Truth About Christmas” Awake! (December, 8 2010 Issue)
However, a certain custom or belief can also be viewed like food. For example, before you eat anything, you always make sure you know that the food that you are about to touch is clean and safe. More importantly, you even want to know where it came from or how it was cooked. You never failed to use your senses to determine if it’s still fresh.
Like this case, imagine the Parol as if it's a food too. Does its origin seemed to be 'safe enough to be eaten?' It's undeniable that its origin is non-Christian at all based on historical and biblical findings. Its symbolism is as deep as a tunnel with no known portal of exit. The way it looks is sugarcoated—very appealing to the eyes—yet its history is as dark as it's being used also as a witchcraft emblem.
There is no law on human rights that will stop you from hanging or displaying one in your house though, so the decision of displaying a Parol is still your personal decision and I respect that. But again, think about all the facts that we've discussed. After that, ask yourself: Is the Parol still worth hanging after all?
References:
"Wiccans" New world encyclopedia
"Star" Encyclopedia Britannica
"Pentacle" Encyclopedia of Western Signs and Ideograms (1975)
“The Truth About Christmas” Awake! (December, 8 2010 Issue)
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