In Islamic literature it is related that God blessed Solomon with a magic ring marked with

a six-pointed star that could vanquish ghosts and spirits. Whoever wears the ring or bears

the symbol is protected from evil. Many finds dating from the ninth century and after,

from personal charms to public buildings decorated with the six- or five-pointed star,

attest to the popularity of this legend and to the belief in stars as magical symbols. Ritual

objects (such as the prayer rug) and religious structures (for example, the mosque, prayer

niche, pulpit, tombstone) were also decorated with stars, mainly six-pointed ones, which

in addition to providing defense symbolized the power and stability of the ruler and was

thus likened to the rule of King Solomon.