8 Pointed Star Logo

In designing the logo for MECCA, I knew I wanted it to connect to Islam in a pointed… way. 

So I chose the 8-pointed star, the Najmat al Quds style of the Rub El-Hizb - a shape deeply rooted in Islamic art and geometry.

In Islamic art and architecture, the eight-pointed star (often referred to as the octagram or Rub el Hizb) is rich with meaning. It is classically formed by two overlapping squares (one rotated 45°). And is deeply tied to themes of balance, unity, harmony, stability, and infinity in Islamic cosmology and geometry.

The symbol’s name, Rub el Hizb, literally connects to the Qur’anic tradition: “rubʿ” meaning “a quarter” and “ḥizb” meaning “group.” These have been traditionally used in manuscripts to mark 60 subdivisions for easier memorization, about the halfway point for each ‘Juz of Quran.

Learn more:

Join Islamic Art Week November 15th 2025 : https://www.islamicartweek.com/

A short Ted Ed video on Islamic geometry by Eric Bourg: https://youtu.be/pg1NpMmPv48

A history of the Najm-Al-Quds: https://farbound.net/najmat-al-quds-star-of-jerusalem-humayuns-mausoleum-nizzamuddin-east/

A deep dive into Islam and Geometry: “Islamic Geometric Patterns” by Eric Broug

Girih Patterns by Hamed Rahnama https://www.amazon.com/Girih-Persian-Patterns-Draw-Easy/dp/B089M2H3GC

A look into the 8 pointed star: https://museumvolunteersjmm.com/2023/10/01/unlocking-the-eight-pointed-stars-mystery/

A special thanks to my husband who made my logo - in logo, and who inspired me to learn more about Islamic Geometry (as he’s been hosting Islamic geometry workshops on his university campus), and filling our bookshelves with many more interesting books!