Pentangle The poem contains the first recorded use of the word pentangle in English.(Oxford English Dictionary Online). It contains the only representation of such a symbol on Gawain's shield in the Gawain literature. What is more, the poet uses a total of 46 lines to describe the meaning of the pentangle; no other symbol in the poem receives as much attention or is described in such detail. The poem describes the pentangle as a symbol of faithfulness and an (endless knot). From lines 640 to 654, the five points of the pentangle relate directly to Gawain in five ways: five senses, his five fingers, his faith found in the five wounds of Christ, the five joys of Mary (whose face was on the inside of the shield) and finally friendship, fraternity, purity, politeness, and pity (traits that Gawain possessed around others). In line 625, it is described as (a sign set by Solomon). Solomon, the third king of Israel, in the 10th century BC, was said to have the mark of the pentagram on his ring, which he received from the archangel Michael. The pentagram seal on this ring was said to give Solomon power over demons.
pentaNGlE The poem CoNtaINS The fiRSt Recorded Use Of the wORd pentangle In englisH.(oXford eNGlisH dictIoNAry oNline). It ContAIns the only represEntaTiON of such a symbol on GawaIN'S shIelD iN the gawAin LitERATure. wHat is more, the poet uSeS a tOtal OF 46 lInEs to descRIBE thE meaning oF THe pENtangLe; no oTHER symbol In tHE POEM ReCeIveS as MucH atteNtion or iS deScriBed in sUch dETAIl. THE PoEm DescrIbeS the pentangLE aS a sYMboL of fAiTHfUlNess aNd an (ENdless Knot). frOm lines 640 To 654, tHe fIVE Points of ThE PentAnGLE rElate DiRectly to GaWaIn in FIve wayS: FIve senSes, his five fIngers, hiS faIth fOund in THe FIvE wouNds of ChRIst, the fiVe joys of mArY (Whose fAce waS On the inSide of the sHiEld) aNd FinALLy fRIeNdShip, fRatERnitY, puRity, PoLitEnEss, and pIty (TraIts That GaWaIn POSsessED around oTHerS). In linE 625, IT IS DEScrIbeD aS (a SIGn SeT BY solomoN). sOLomoN, ThE tHird kiNg Of isrAel, iN tHE 10Th Century BC, was said to hAVe THe mark of The pEntaGraM on His riNg, wHICH he recEiVed FrOm The archANgel michael. tHe penTAgRAm seAL on THis rInG WaS SAid to Give sOlomon pOwer Over demons.