The pentegram...

[Frana-Kun]

What does it mean? I mean, that Greek-looking symbols on it? Is it a seal or something? I obviously know what the "s", "m", and "t" are (duh) but why the other 2? It seems kind of random to me, though I know it can't be. XD

[LadyRayna]

No, it definitely isn’t random. Those Greek-looking symbols are actually the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha (α) and omega (ω) respectively, and are a reference to the Book of Revelation, “I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” In the SMT logo, however, alpha and omega are written in lowercase while in religious symbols they’re in uppercase (A and Ω).

The circles may be a reference to the endless cycle of birth (the soul is imprisoned), death (the soul is released) and rebirth (the soul is imprisoned again), which is called metempsychosis, the transmigration of the soul, or ‘tensei’ in Japanese.

The cross in the centre of the pentagram is most likely a cross pattée (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_patt%C3%A9e).

[SickleCellAnemia]

Rayna I <3 you! :grouphug:

[Frana-Kun]

Wow, thank you.

I also read on some forum, that the pentagram is used to control, or hold back a demon. XD That's why it's so abundant on the Devil Summoner 2 box, to keep that Raiho from doing anything. << . >>


XD

[Marlonbr]

WoW, it's good to know that, Rayna!
SMT is culture too! =D

[Denninja]

The pentagram is generally a protective symbol, symbolizing an opposite (inverted) two-points-up form used in satanism to symbolize the horns pointed at heaven, so it's similar to the upright christian cross.

A pentacle is a seal, according to the Goetia, used to influence specific summoned demons.
Berith:
http://www.esotericarchives.com/gifs/g28.gif

[Evilkinggumby]

The pentagram is generally a protective symbol, symbolizing an opposite (inverted) two-points-up form used in satanism to symbolize the horns pointed at heaven, so it's similar to the upright christian cross.

A pentacle is a seal, according to the Goetia, used to influence specific summoned demons.
Berith:
http://www.esotericarchives.com/gifs/g28.gif

ugh... ok lets try and keep this a bit more expansive, eh? The details you throw out there are a small part of the later interpretations of the symbol; being neither part of it's origin, nor it's original intended use.

my first suggestion to anyone curious about the symbol, and why it is used in various ways in these games and in the world is to go to Symbols.com (http://symbols.com) and look up pentegram. there is an excellent, cited, detailed article giving a TON of information about where it has been seen and why it was used.

my favorite as it relates to these games was

"In the Japanese Art of Warfare, (the pentegram) stands for forts and fortresses, as does (the sun). As a mark of cadency (the pentegram) stands for the third son"

The pentacle is a pentegram with a circle around it. It is common to see it in Wiccan religion and in a lot of older Tarot cards(note: neither are satanic cults, but can be misinterpreted as satanic due to it's lack of a christian base).

What the actual intent was for Atlus to utilize it in their games I'm not sure. Or if it is for a number of reasons. But in general they use it in a pretty appropriate, accurate way. so it's all good.

[IceCold_Assassin]

Does anyone have a high res picture of the pentagram? or just a good quality picture of it?

[Kordero]

No, it definitely isn’t random. Those Greek-looking symbols are actually the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, alpha (α) and omega (ω) respectively, and are a reference to the Book of Revelation, “I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” In the SMT logo, however, alpha and omega are written in lowercase while in religious symbols they’re in uppercase (A and Ω).

The circles may be a reference to the endless cycle of birth (the soul is imprisoned), death (the soul is released) and rebirth (the soul is imprisoned again), which is called metempsychosis, the transmigration of the soul, or ‘tensei’ in Japanese.

The cross in the centre of the pentagram is most likely a cross pattée (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_patt%C3%A9e).

:o wow! so educational!