Lena Rivera
In the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the outside of Gawain's shield is painted red, with a golden pentangle or five-pointed star. This symbol was originally designed by King Solomon as his magic seal and is meant to embody the virtues Gawain aspires to. The pentangle is a key symbol in the poem, representing the principal Christian and chivalric virtues of courage, courtesy, and fidelity. Gawain's colours of red and gold contrast with the Green Knight's colour, green, which symbolises nature and the supernatural.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Red and gold |
| Symbol | Pentangle, also known as the Endless Knot |
| Symbolism of the Pentangle | Truth, perfection, knighthood, and the virtues of courage, courtesy, fidelity, generosity, brotherly love, purity, good manners, compassion, and chastity |
| Material | Gold |
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What You'll Learn
The pentangle's symbolism
The pentangle, or five-pointed star, on the outside of Gawain's shield in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is rich with symbolism. Each of the five points represents a different virtue or wit, encompassing the five joys of Mary, the five wounds of Christ, and the five virtues of knighthood: generosity, friendship, chastity, chivalry, and piety. The pentangle also represents the five senses and five fingers, with Gawain described as "faultless in his five senses" and never failing "in the five fingers". The five interconnected points symbolise the endless knot, or the "endless knot of troth", and the overlapping lines symbolise the idea of eternity.
The pentangle is also a symbol of chivalry and truth, with Gawain's armour embodying the expectations of his chivalric virtues of courage, courtesy, and fidelity. The pentangle is a break from the traditional symbols of battle or bravery, with Gawain acting as a "moral representative" of the Court. The symbol is also a talisman of strength and protection, with Gawain's faith and adherence to the virtues it represents being a prerequisite to receiving its benefits.
The colour red, which forms the background of the pentangle, represents courage and temptation, while the gold of the pentangle itself represents Gawain's nobility and purity. These colours contrast with the green of the Green Knight, emphasising the moral struggle between the two.
The pentangle is said to have been designed by King Solomon and is referred to as the "endless knot", with each line overlapping and linked to another. This symbol is also present on Gawain's shawl, underscoring its importance as a symbol of Gawain's identity and virtues.
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The Virgin Mary on the inside of the shield
The Virgin Mary is painted on the inside of Sir Gawain's shield. This image of Mary is a source of strength and inspiration for Gawain. In battle, he focuses on Mary and her child, receiving courage and retaining his knightly virtues. The inner side of the shield is the part closest to his heart, and so Mary is a symbol of Gawain's inward purity and chastity.
The image of Mary is accompanied by a depiction of a pentangle, or five-pointed star, on the outside of the shield. This symbol has multiple meanings and interpretations. Firstly, it represents the five joys of Mary: the Annunciation, Nativity, Resurrection, Ascension, and Assumption. Secondly, it symbolises the five senses, the five fingers, and the five wounds of Christ, demonstrating Gawain's faith and trust in Christianity. Thirdly, the pentangle embodies the five chivalric virtues of courage, courtesy, generosity, fellowship, and purity. Gawain is known for his virtuous character, and the pentangle signifies his commitment to these values.
The pentangle is also referred to as the "endless knot", a symbol of truth and fidelity. It represents Gawain's moral goodness and his role as a "moral representative" of the Court. The shield, with its combination of the Virgin Mary and the pentangle, becomes a powerful symbol of Gawain's faith, chivalry, and virtuous identity.
The shield plays a significant role in the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a religious allegory filled with Christian symbolism. The poem explores themes of sin, forgiveness, and redemption, and Gawain's shield reinforces these ideas. The image of Mary conveys Gawain's unwavering heart, while the pentangle's intricate design holds a key to understanding the poem's message of virtue, trust, and honour.
The shield's iconography is a simple yet striking example of Medieval art, with its red base and golden pentangle. It serves as a means of identification for Gawain, setting him apart from other knights and establishing his reputation as a noble and virtuous knight.
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The five joys of Mary
The Annunciation
The first joy of Mary was the Annunciation, when she learned that she would be the Mother of God. Mary was greeted by an angel, who brought her the joyous news that she would conceive and bear the Son of God. This moment of revelation and joy marked the beginning of Mary's journey as the mother of Christ.
The Visitation
The second joy of Mary was the Visitation, when she joyfully carried Our Lord to visit her cousin, Saint Elizabeth. Mary's visit was inspired by charity and love, as she wanted to share the joys of motherhood with her cousin, who was also expecting a child, the future John the Baptist. This joyful encounter between the two expectant mothers is a heartwarming aspect of the Five Joys of Mary.
The Nativity
The third joy of Mary was the Nativity, the birth of Jesus. Mary's joy at the Nativity was twofold: first, the joy of giving birth to the Son of God, and second, the joy of becoming a mother. This joyous event marked the arrival of Christ into the world and the fulfillment of the prophecy.
The Finding in the Temple
The fourth joy of Mary was finding Jesus in the temple after he had been lost for three days. Mary's sorrow at their separation turned to great joy when she finally found him teaching and listening to the doctors and professors of the law. This moment of reunion and relief is a powerful aspect of the Five Joys of Mary.
The Resurrection
The fifth joy of Mary was the Resurrection of Jesus. Mary's joy knew no bounds when she beheld her risen Son, seeing him in the full beauty of manhood. The joy of witnessing the Resurrection, after the sorrow of Jesus' death on the cross, must have been an overwhelming and transformative experience for Mary.
Additional Joys
In some variations, the Ascension and the Assumption of Mary are also included as joys, making it the Seven Joys of the Virgin. The Ascension refers to Christ's ascent to heaven, and the Assumption is the belief that Mary was taken bodily into heaven after her earthly life. These additional joys further emphasize the glory and happiness associated with Mary's life and her devotion to Christ.
As for the shield of Gwain, a pentangle is painted on the outside of it. The pentangle is a five-pointed star designed by King Solomon. It is a symbol of truth and eternity, with each line overlapping and interlocking endlessly. The pentangle represents Gwain's virtues, faithfulness, and purity, reflecting his character as a noble and virtuous knight.
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The chivalric values of men
The medieval poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" is a religious allegory rich in Christian symbolism and the values of chivalry. Gawain's shield, in particular, has become an enduring emblem of knightly virtues and chivalric values. The outside of the shield is described as being red with a golden pentangle, a five-pointed star, upon it. This colour scheme is contrasted with that of the Green Knight, reflecting their opposition in the narrative.
The pentangle is a symbol of perfection and truth, designed by King Solomon as his magic seal. It represents the five senses, the five fingers, the five joys of Mary, and the five wounds of Christ. Gawain's faith is reflected in these five wounds, as he puts his trust in Christianity. The pentangle also represents the chivalric values of men, including generosity, brotherly love, purity, courtesy, and compassion. These values guide Gawain in his conduct and everyday life, embodying the ideal code of chivalry.
The shield also has a picture of the Virgin Mary on its inside, closest to Gawain's heart, serving as a source of inspiration and strength. This image reinforces Gawain's courage, virtue, and Christian devotion, establishing him as a Knight of the Blessed Virgin. Gawain's shield thus becomes a symbol of his identity, reflecting his knightly virtues and faith.
The pentangle on Gawain's shield signifies the ultimate level of knighthood and identifies him as a model of perfection. It serves as a symbol of protection and strength, embodying the chivalric values that Gawain strives to uphold. The shield is not just a physical defence but also a means of identification, setting Gawain apart as a noble and virtuous knight.
In conclusion, the chivalric values of men, as represented by Gawain's shield, include courage, courtesy, fidelity, generosity, brotherly love, purity, and compassion. These values guide Gawain's conduct and protect him in his quest, reflecting the ideal of perfect chivalry. The shield's symbolism underscores the importance of virtue, truth, and faith in the chivalric tradition.
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The colour red's meaning
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the outside of Gwain's shield is painted red with a golden pentangle depicted on it. Red is one of the three primary colours, along with blue and yellow, and is considered to evoke strong emotions and associations in people. In Western cultures, red is commonly associated with love, passion, aggression, danger, and excitement. Red is also associated with blood and violence, and in the Middle Ages, a red flag in warfare indicated the intent to take no prisoners. In the context of the poem, red represents courage and temptation.
The colour red has a rich history and has been used throughout ancient history, from Ancient Egypt to ancient Grecian murals and Byzantine clothing. In Ancient Egypt, red was considered a colour of vitality and celebration, but also of evil and destruction. In the 18th century, red became the colour of resistance and revolution, with the French revolutionaries wearing red Phrygian caps, or "liberty caps". Red is often used to draw attention and leave a memorable impact, which is beneficial in branding and marketing. It is also used in automobile racing to indicate danger to drivers.
Red is associated with strong emotions such as love, desire, and anger. It is a colour that is regarded as a head-turner due to its warm, bright hues. Red is also associated with sexuality, warmth, and passion. It represents power and urgency, and can be used to express excitement and youthful energy. In business contexts, the impact of the colour red depends on how it is used and the industry. While red can be beneficial in industries such as children's products, sports, food, entertainment, and technology, it is not perceived as trustworthy or stable and is therefore avoided by financial institutions and corporations.
The use of restraint and consistency is important when applying the colour red. Too many competing shades can dilute brand recognition, and too much red or the wrong red tones can look abrasive or aggressive. Brighter reds like crimson are stimulating, while deeper reds like burgundy are associated with sophistication. Red is also used to help adapt night vision in low-light or night-time situations.
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Frequently asked questions
A golden pentangle, also known as a pentagram or a five-pointed star.
The pentangle is a symbol of Gawain's virtues. It represents his aspiration to be faultless in his five senses, never to fail in his five fingers, to be faithful to the five wounds that Christ received on the cross, and to be strengthened by the five joys that the Virgin Mary had in Jesus.
An image of the Virgin Mary, which is meant to remind readers of Gawain's chastity, his Christian devotion, and his status as Mary's knight.
The colour red symbolises courage and temptation.
