All About Octagrams
Octagrams, or 8-pointed stars, can be found as symbols in artwork in many cultures and religions.
In Islamic Art, the shape is referred to as the Rub el Hizb (“quarter of the party”), and is often associated with unity. The shape is used in the Quran to mark the end of each chapter.
Seljuk mosaic tile decoration from the Kubadabad Palace (early 13th-century Anatolia)
Antique 17th-century Persian Khorassan carpet
This specific shape of octagram can also represent the 8-spoked wheel of Buddhist Dharma, and is associated with the goddess Lakshmi in Hinduism. It continues to be used around the world, mainly in West and Central Asia. Can you spot the octagrams in these examples?
Make your own octagram tessellations
Materials: squares of paper, scissors, double-sided tape
1. Start by cutting out 2 squares of the same size. Tape them together, rotated at a 45-degree angle as shown.
(Pro tip: Use double-sided tape, so the tape doesn’t interfere with the outline of the shape.)
2. Trace the shape onto blank paper. Translate (move) the shape until the corner touches one of the traced corners, and trace again.
3. Color in your shapes! What designs can you create? What shapes do you notice?
