May 08 2009
New Star Trek Movie Displays Pagan Triple Moon Symbol
When I went to watch the new Star Trek movie last night, I was there as a major fan of Trek! My secondary concern involved watching the costumes so I could post on Star Trek costumes for my other blog. As wonderful as the movie was, I did not consider it a specifically spiritual experience–until I noticed a detail on a Vulcan costume–something very much akin to our very own beloved triple moon (right). Please read on–no spoilers below.
The triple moon, at least to our real human culture of the past and present, traditionally represents the Goddess in three forms: maiden, mother, and crone. The symbol is also very balanced.
The waxing moon on the left represents the maiden–a learning and growing young woman. The full, pregnant moon in the middle stands for the mother. The waning crescent on the right depicts the crone. In our modern Western society, that term has a negative association, but in ancient cultures or other parts of the world, grandparents in general and grandmothers in particular serve a critical role as caretakers and have a great deal of respect.
This is why the number three is sacred, special, or meaningful to many pagans. It is a trinity or three-in-one, also worshiped in a different form by Christians.
Why would this be shown on a Vulcan’s belt in Star Trek movie?
Those who said this movie was all action and no deeper meaning weren’t watching what the characters were wearing and what symbols appeared in the movie. In one Vulcan craft, for example, the chair is triangular with three sides, representing IDIC (Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations). The Vulcans see this concept as logical. Therefore, another ‘triple’ symbol could hint to the IDIC symbol and concept.
Overall, the triple moon symbol is very balanced. Vulcans choose logic because it allows them to be clear-headed, pragmatic, and balanced. It only logical, therefore, that this would be reflected in their attire.
Some of the Vulcans shown in the movie have spiritual dealings (I do not want to ruin things for anyone, so I will remain vague). While Vulcans are logical people, they are on a whole deeply spiritual. For the most part, canon Star Trek has only shown us glimpses of Vulcan spirituality, but I had always imagined Vulcan spirituality to resemble some pagan practices of Earth’s past and present. I took the appearance of the triple moon in Star Trek to be an homage to that.
Lastly, Star Trek: The Next Generation confirmed that all humanoids (including Vulcans and humans) share a common ancestor. This jives with the Star Trek philosophy–but showing such an ancient human symbol on a Vulcan would only substantiate that theory and remind us of it, even if that only reaches most of the Star Trek audience subconsciously.
What do you think?
Until next time– “Live long and prosper.”
Did you notice when Spock went down to Vulcan to save his parents and the other elders, there was a huge Goddess statue? I pointed it out to my husband, and then later saw the triple moon on the older Spock’s belt. Of course the Vulcan people would practice Goddess worship, it’s only LOGICAL!!!!
Love love love the movie. Thank you for posting about this!
Lea Anne,
How did I miss that?? I see people are finding this blog entry by looking up things such as ‘pagan elements in new Star Trek movie,’ so obviously I’m not the only one who is seeing this! I think it was used to address universal experience and motherhood in the movie. The beautiful thing about the goddess imagery was that it was probably subtle to most viewers of the movie (also–think about the demographic advertised to).
Here’s to hoping it worked! Maybe some of the teenage boys who went out for some shoot-em-up action came out of it remembering to do something for their moms today!:)
Yes, I saw the triple moon symbol in the movie, too, and so did my daughter. That was so cool!