Why does Balthazar have a Star of David carved into his face?

[Hunter Este]

Why does Balthazar have a Star of David carved into his face?
It seems like kind of a weird design choice considering....

[Agony_Aunt]

The 6 pointed star has been a staple of arcana in D&D for a very long time, alongside the 5 pointed star.

Its been used throughout history for a very long time, and not just by the jews. Its been used by Christians, Hindus and Muslims.

Also

The hexagram, like the pentagram, was and is used in practices of the occult and ceremonial magic and is attributed to the 7 "old" planets outlined in astrology.

The six-pointed star is commonly used both as a talisman[8] and for conjuring spirits and spiritual forces in diverse forms of occult magic. In the book The History and Practice of Magic, Vol. 2, the six-pointed star is called the talisman of Saturn and it is also referred to as the Seal of Solomon.[9] Details are given in this book on how to make these symbols and the materials to use.
Double hexagram

Traditionally, the Hexagram can be seen as the combination of the four elements. Fire is symbolized as an upwards pointing triangle, while Air (its elemental opposite) is also an upwards pointing triangle, but with a horizontal line through its center. Water is symbolized as a downwards pointing triangle, while Earth (its elemental opposite) is also a downwards pointing triangle, but with a horizontal line through its center. When you combine the symbols of Fire and Water, a hexagram (six-pointed star) is created. The same follows for when you combine the symbols of Air and Earth. When you combine both hexagrams, you get the double-hexagram. Thus, a combination of the elements is created.[10]

In Rosicrucian and Hermetic Magic, the seven Traditional Planets correspond with the angles and the center of the Hexagram as follows, in the same patterns as they appear on the Sephiroth and on the Tree of Life. Saturn, although formally attributed to the Sephira of Binah, within this frame work nonetheless occupies the position of Daath.[11]

In alchemy, the two triangles represent the reconciliation of the opposites of fire and water.[12]

The hexagram is used as a sign for quintessence, the fifth element.[citation needed]

[Nina Katarina]

I was just coming in here to say something about this. I can't believe that a character design so antisemitic got past the design stage. Just gross.

[['w']]

blocked and blocked

[super_jqp]

It's not only a jewish symbol. It also features heavily in medieval alchemy. Probably something like that. I dunno? Don't question it.

[$$Billionaire Trash$$]

Originally posted by Nina Katarina:

I was just coming in here to say something about this. I can't believe that a character design so antisemitic got past the design stage. Just gross.

It has nothing to do with Judaism in this context

[Agony_Aunt]

Originally posted by Nina Katarina:

I was just coming in here to say something about this. I can't believe that a character design so antisemitic got past the design stage. Just gross.

Well, you're lucky people have already pointed out that it has nothing to do with Jews, so you don't have to get worked up about it.

[Fat nuts]

Originally posted by Hunter Este:

Why does Balthazar have a Star of David carved into his face?
It seems like kind of a weird design choice considering....:evilskull:

we all know why the absolute's symbol is so similar, its pretty anti semitic if you ask me, the way they portray them like Israel, Mossad infiltrating communities, political groups and politicians in order to turn them into an ally or put their own people in place

[lordsnotrag]

Originally posted by A P O 1 1 0ⁿ:

Originally posted by Nina Katarina:

I was just coming in here to say something about this. I can't believe that a character design so antisemitic got past the design stage. Just gross.

It has nothing to do with Judaism in this context

There are times when context is irrelevant. This is one of those times. You wouldn't use a Swastika in its place. And the Swastika's origins are in Hinduism, pre-dating its more common usage. No one is going to look at a swastika etched into the face of a villain and go, "oh, he must seek prosperity and luck." No one reasonable is going to look at the Star of David on his face and think happy thoughts about its relationship to Semitism, either.

So often, it's not about what you mean. It's about the perception of what you mean. There was no need for this to be added to the character. Larian should consider altering it.

[Pan Darius Cassandra]

🤘😈😈😈

[Noctoculus]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Lv6t0moFY

[endersblade]

Tell me you're ignorant without telling me you're ignorant

[⎝Wyrd Deofol⎠]

Originally posted by Nina Katarina:

I was just coming in here to say something about this. I can't believe that a character design so antisemitic got past the design stage. Just gross.

Learn some history and you may understand.

[Yav-El]

Agreed! This is so disrespectful!

[Jondar Korric]

oh shut the hell up crybabies. not everything is about your religion. bet you're the same crybabies that complained about Phylacteries being used for Liches.

[Rance-sama]

Originally posted by super_jqp:

It's not only a jewish symbol. It also features heavily in medieval alchemy. Probably something like that. I dunno? Don't question it.

which itself is based on the science of kabbalah (which is based on astrotheology, the menorah has 7 candles asscociated with the 7 classical planets and the 12 tribes are the 12 signs)

the hexagram symbolises saturn, which can be broken down into a cube. a black cube specifically as black and lead are asscociated with saturn as well, tying it to the phylactery as
the below quote unwittingly brings up (as well as the kaaba)

Originally posted by Jondar Korric:

oh shut the hell up crybabies. not everything is about your religion. bet you're the same crybabies that complained about Phylacteries being used for Liches.