what is a pentagram?? please help?

The five pointed star IN a circle is called a Pentacle, not a pentagram. A pentagram is a five pointed geometric shape.

The association of the symbol depends greatly on individual interpretations. Many people who wear it believe it is representative of five physical elements needed to sustain life (i.e. Earth - on which to grow food and live, Air - needed to breathe, Fire - needed to keep warm and keeps us alive, Water - in which to keep us hydrated). The fifth point is representative of the Spirit, what the Spirit is can vary from person to person, it could be personal spirit or some sort of divine figure.

Historically, the shape's earliest origins are thought to come from Mesopotamia, who used the pentagram to represent a word meaning angled. Pythagoras, a well known mathematician, the symbol to represent what he felt was mathematical PERFECTION. Early Christian scholars and priests used the symbol for various representations, including the five wounds of Christ, symbolism of the human form (head, two arms, two legs), the five senses, etc.) They had since abandoned the use of the symbol, and perverted it into a symbol of their Anti-Deity, Satan. If you look at ancient churches, perhaps in Europe, you can still find them bearing pentagrams.

Symbols engraved on pentacles can depend on what the manufacturer wanted and who they were gearing the product for (after all, it IS a product for sale). Many people engrave spells on them written in what's called "Theban", also called "The Witches Alphabet" (even though Witches don't really have an alphabet of their own), some engrave quotes from various pieces of writing, etc. I couldn't tell you directly what those engravings were unless you gave me a specific item to look at.

A symbol is no more good or evil than any other symbol. A cross is no more protective of the wearer than a heart symbol. It's all open to interpretation.

This is coming from a Wiccan standpoint NOT A Satanist standpoint okay.

The pentacle is the most famed symbol of Witchcraft, Wicca and Paganism. (Without the circle, it is known as a pentagram.) The pentacle and pentagram have been used as symbols of faith and protection across various cultures and religions at some point in time. For example, some early Christians used this symbol to represent the five wounds of Christ. Modern usage of the pentacle and pentagram can be found in Wicca, Satanism, and other Neo-Pagan faiths. The pentacle in Wicca may serve many functions. As mentioned, the pentacle is a symbol of protection. Pentacles may be drawn (physically, mentally, or spiritually) to serve as protective talisman. For example, a house blessing may incorporate "drawing" pentacles in the air around doors and windows to prevent the intrusion of negative energies. The pentacle as a tool in Wicca is generally a pentagram engraved or drawn on a wood or metallic disc. Many use this tool to place other objects upon during consecration to dedicate objects to a specific purpose (e.g.: cleanse and bless a stone to be used in a healing spell). Another usage of the pentacle in Wicca is as a symbol of one's degree in Wicca. In some traditions, an inverted pentacle represents the second degree. Many times the pentacle or inverted pentacle will be worn on ritual clothes or jewelry either as sign of degree within a coven that uses them or for personal preference. The wearing of the pentacle is believed to provide protection to the wearer. Some believe that a worn pentacle is more effective if it cannot be readily seen. Pentacles and pentagrams are often worn as necklaces to symbolize the religion of Wicca and other faiths, but they have a deeper meaning than just a symbol. The five points all relate to the elements that Wiccans believe everything is made from. The elements are Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit. Some believe that the circle around the pentagram symbolizes the Goddess and God, or deity. Because of these and other associations made with the pentacle, pentacles and pentagrams may be used as a focal point for meditations, spells, and rituals.

The 5 pointed star has been around as a religious or magic symbol since Babylonian times. Before the days of protractors, drawing a regular pentagram inside a circle was very difficult. The "secret" was only passed on to a select few members of the religion or coven. Early Christianity used the symbol to represent the 5 wounds of Christ. These days it is used by Freemasons, the Magic Circle (stage magicians society), and various new-age pagans. It's a sign of the times that with mainstream religion going out of fashion, people resort to old superstitions to fill the void. Still, it keeps the charm makers in business.

For me It is a pagan/wiccan sign (I am a wiccan) and each point is classed as an element (air, water, fire, earth and spirit)

But wikipedia says

Pentagrams were used as an important religious symbol by the Babylonians and by the Pythagoreans in ancient Greece. Pentagrams are used today as a symbol of faith by many Neopagans, akin to the use of the cross by Christians and the Star of David by Jews, and may be found in jewelry incorporating the symbol. Several faiths also associate the pentagram with magic. Christians in the past commonly used the pentagram to represent the five wounds of Jesus, and it has associations with Freemasonry.

So yeah :)

A pentagram (sometimes known as a pentalpha or pentangle or a star pentagon) is the shape of a five-pointed star drawn with five straight strokes.

Pentagrams were used as an important religious symbol by the Babylonians and by the Pythagoreans in ancient Greece. Pentagrams are used today as a symbol of faith by many Neopagans, akin to the use of the cross by Christians and the Star of David by Jews, and may be found in jewelry incorporating the symbol. Several faiths also associate the pentagram with magic. Christians in the past commonly used the pentagram to represent the five wounds of Jesus, and it has associations with Freemasonry.

With and without the circle, that symbol has been used by several different religions and cultures. You can find just about any meaning you want if you look hard enough.

It's been used by the Babylonians, the Muslims, the Christians, the Wiccans / Neopagans, Vodou, Satanism, the Freemasons, and probably a few dozen other groups, and its meanings are just as varied.

At the end of the day, it's just a geometric shape and doesn't mean anything. Or it means whatever you want it to mean. To a wiccan it's the five points of whatever, to a satanist it's the sigil of baphomet, to Morocco it's part of their national flag, and to Motley Crue it was a way to sell more albums by freaking people's mothers out. See what i mean about varied meanings?

I have one that I wear around my neck, and I'm a member of the Church Of The FSM. To me it symbolizes the five meanings of life: Loud music, beer, sex, guitars, and sex. Yes I know I said sex twice, I did that on purpose.

well the 5 pointed star if its the right way up as in the shape of a man(2 points for the legs 2 points for the arms and 1 point for the head)its a sign of protection and good as it mean mans domain over the earth and gods domain over man if however if its in the reverse pentagram or pentacle(with the two points in the shape of horns)this is the sign for evil and such.......it is an old symbol coming from old paganism and shamanism(how old you ask how old is man would be the proper question the sign is that ancient)as is the cross which before christ was crucified was sacred sign as well in the old world at least(it actually means "as above so below" in other words what happens in heaven happens on earth or at least that's how its supposed to happen)

A 5 pointed star (often in a circle). It has origins in many different cultures at many different times. What it symbolizes varies from culture to culture.

These days, it most often used in conjunction with Wicca or neo-Paganism ... but it has even been a Christian symbol representing the 5 wounds of Christ,

Much has been written as answers already. They all have their religion as its base. None have mentioned the pentagrams in the caves wherein Carbon tests of 30,000 years proved the pentagram was in use long before the religions of today.

It's an attractive shaped star. Don't believe the myths that some people associate with it.