where did the star of david come from

The Star of David, also known as the Magen David ("Shield of David"), originated long before it became a Jewish symbol. Its shape—a hexagram formed by two interlocking triangles—appeared thousands of years ago in various cultures including pagan traditions, early Christian churches, and Muslim culture. In Jewish context, the term "Shield of David" was used in the Babylonian Talmud as an epithet for God, and a legend connects the star to the shields of King David’s army. However, there is no archaeological or biblical evidence confirming the star was used on King David’s shields. The symbol became distinctly Jewish in the mid-14th century when the Jewish community of Prague adopted it for their flag, and from there it spread to Jewish communities in Europe as a recognized emblem of Judaism. The Star of David gained further significance in Jewish mysticism through Kabbalah, where it was considered protective. It rose to international prominence in modern times, becoming a central symbol of Jewish identity and the emblem on the flag of the State of Israel since the late 19th century. Thus, the Star of David's origins are ancient and multicultural, but its specific association as a Jewish symbol dates mainly to the medieval period and was popularized through mysticism and later nationalism.