<P> The symbol became representative of the worldwide Zionist community, and later the broader Jewish community, after it was chosen as the central symbol on a flag at the First Zionist Congress in 1897 . </P> <P> The identification of the term "Star of David" or "Shield of David" with the hexagram shape dates to the 17th century . The term "Shield of David" is also used in the Siddur (Jewish prayer book) as a title of the God of Israel . </P> <P> The hexagram does appear occasionally in Jewish contexts since antiquity, apparently as a decorative motif . For example, in Israel, there is a stone bearing a hexagram from the arch of a 3rd--4th century synagogue in the Galilee . Originally, the hexagram may have been employed as an architectural ornament on synagogues, as it is, for example, on the cathedrals of Brandenburg and Stendal, and on the Marktkirche at Hanover . A hexagram in this form is found on the ancient synagogue at Capernaum . In the synagogues, perhaps, it was associated with the mezuzah . </P> <P> The use of the hexagram in a Jewish context as a possibly meaningful symbol may occur as early as the 11th century, in the decoration of the carpet page of the famous Tanakh manuscript, the Leningrad Codex dated 1008 . Similarly, the symbol illuminates a medieval Tanakh manuscript dated 1307 belonging to Rabbi Yosef bar Yehuda ben Marvas from Toledo, Spain . A Siddur dated 1512 from Prague displays a large hexagram on the cover with the phrase, "He will merit to bestow a bountiful gift on anyone who grasps the Shield of David ." </P>

Where did the star of david come from