Where did the Jewish symbol that looks like a star with a circle around it come from? What does it mean?

I actually have one of those (though I'm not Jewish, but the five-pointed-circled-star (generally referred to as a "Pentagram") is one of the most ancient symbols in religion). This one I have here, is called the "Shield of Solomon" and it predates the six-pointed-star often associated with Solomon by centuries.

Solomon, the King, was the second son of David and Bathsheba and the third king of Israel. He ruled in the 10th century BC. Traditions in Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic and Ethiopic all hold that King Solomon was a Master Magician and had the authority over all Spirits as he had over the Birds and Beasts.

The Shield Of Solomon: been said that this symbol will protect the Seeker from all Evil Influences as well as preserve mankind from the Machinations of Evil Spirits. As a symbol of protection , it's aid that no Evil Spirits can pass where it's displayed.

The Five-Pointed-Star is often used to represent that five elements: Spirit, Fire, Water, Air, Earth. And the five senses. The five life forms: Man, Animal, Fish, Plant, Crystal. And the number of man: Head, hands, and feet.

Did this help?

A star encircled is a symbol picked up from Chaldea - Babylon - and has its origins in the occult, the worshipping of darkness, stating that it is the form 'to hold in' a spirit... Go figure. It - at one point - formed part of Israel, simply because they went astray and worshipped paganism, just like any other 'religion', and they paid with that.

Circled Pentagram

A circle around a pentagram contains and protects. The circle symbolises eternity and infinity, the cycles of life and nature. The circle touching all 5 points indicates that the spirit, earth, air, water and fire are alll connected.

The circled pentagram is the passive form implying spiritual containment of the magic circle, in keeping with the traditional secrecy of witchcraft, and the personal, individual nature of the pagan religious path, of its non-proselytising character.

http://www.angelfire.com/id/robpurvis/pentagram.ht...