As a religious symbol, the pentacle is equally revered as the cross is in Christianity and the six-pointed star, the Star of David, in Judaism. The Pentacle or Pentagramme is a five-pointed star enclosed in a circle, with one point up while standing on two points. Some write on the semi-circles, the magical names of demons or God. Occultists and magicians use them  in magical work as talismans to obtain possessions and to conjure helpful spirits. As amulets, pentacles are for protection from unwanted and evil demons or spirits.

The Pythagorean mystics worshipped it as a symbol of the Goddess Kore, frequently represented by the apple core. The mystics called this symbol Pentalpha, the birth-letter interlaced five times. The symbol meant life or health. The five-point star has also been known as the star of Isis, or of Isis' underground twin Nephthys. To the Egyptians the star represented the underground womb. The pentacle was a common amulet of protection and healing in Babylon, where is was inscribed on pots to keep safe their contents. The first amulet assuming holy signs was known as “The seven Seals”. In the Judeo-Christian tradition the Seals signified the secret names of God. The pentacle, chief among them, was inscribed on King Solomon's magic ring. Some think this is why the pentacle has been mistakenly called Solomon's Seal.

Neoplatonic philosophers named it Pentamorph with  the downward point has representing the Horned God who was, "He of Five Shapes," This god appeared in human form as well as four horned animal shapes: bull, ram, goat, and stag.

The pagan Celts like the Egyptians felt the pentacle represented the underground Goddess and revered it as such. To honor her the solar hero Gawain carried a pentacle upon his crimson breast shield.

The symbol of Man the Microcosm of the Hermetic magicians was based on the pentacle. The pentacle represents the macrocosm with the male figure representing the cosmos within it. His feet, hands and head touch each of the points with his genitals located exactly in the center.

The pentacle when in an ascendant position signifies God, but when placed in a descendant position represents the devil. In the 19th century Eliphas Levi erroneously inverted the pentacle inscribing within it the head of the goat with horns. He described it as the goat of lust battering the Heavens with its horns. He also indicated in his Secret of the Mysteries that the inverted pentacle signified initiates of superior ranks at Sabbats. The Church of Satan founded in America in 1966, adopted the  Baphomet as its symbol. It is inscribed in an inverted pentacle with the goat's head and symbols of the Kabbalah spelling "Leviathan" meaning an infernal serpent associated with the devil.

In modern  witchcraft it is very important and revered. The single point is upward to represent the deity of the Triple Goddess.  The five points represent the five elements of nature (Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit); the five senses of man, the five wounds that Christ suffered on the cross; and the five points of man in an outstretched position; head, arms, and legs.

Most pentacles used in modern witchcraft and magic are made of silver, the metal of the moon and psychic powers. Some, however, are made of gold, the metal of power and energy. Pentacles are use to consecrate the magic circle, to ground energy and serve food; pentacles used for this latter function are usually round disks made of clay or wax.