The Geometry of Light: Building a Sacred Stellated Icosahedron 

Usually, you’ll find me hiking deep in a canyon, filming VR nature escapes, or teaching a math concept on a whiteboard. I’ve always felt that these three worlds—Nature, Art, and Math—were separate lanes in my life.

But this Christmas, I wanted to build a gift that combined them all.

Stellated Icosahedron The Geometry of Light and Symbols

The final result: A Stellated Icosahedron glowing with the light of the season.

I didn’t want store-bought plastic. I wanted something with depth. I wanted to use the language of the universe (Geometry) to tell the story of the Creator (Faith). The result is this Stellated Icosahedron Luminary—a project that looks incredibly complex, but is actually a beautiful meditation on order, light, and symbolism.

If you have ever wanted to bring a little "Smart Art" into your holiday decor, put on your scholar's hat. We are going to build a star.

The "Logos": The Math Behind the Magic

As a math teacher, I couldn't resist making this a learning moment. This isn't just a "spiky ball." It is one of the five Platonic Solids.

📐 Teacher’s Corner: The Icosahedron

The Base Shape: An Icosahedron is a shape made of 20 identical equilateral triangles. In ancient philosophy, Plato associated this shape with the element of Water—representing flow and grace.

The Transformation: What we are building today is a Stellated Icosahedron. "Stella" is Latin for Star. We take those 20 flat faces and extend them outward into pyramids. We are literally turning water into a star.

The Golden Ratio: The geometry of this star is intimately tied to Phi (The Golden Ratio), the same mathematical spiral found in pinecones, galaxies, and the proportions of the human body.

Hidden Symbols: A Gift of Meaning

Since this was a birthday gift for the Savior, I didn't want to use random scrapbook paper. I created a custom "Sacred Geometry" design in deep celestial blue and metallic gold foil. Every inch of this paper is encoded with meaning. 

Link to Triangle

Symbolic Equliateral Triangle for Isosohedron

✨ Decoding the Pattern

• The Seal of Melchizedek (The 8-Pointed Star):
  Look closely at the center of the triangles. You will see two interlocking squares rotated to form an 8-pointed star. This is an ancient symbol found in architecture (like the San Diego Temple) representing Christ as the Great High Priest. The number 8 symbolizes New Beginnings and Resurrection.


• The Morning Star (Inverted Star):
  Surrounding the center are stars pointing downward. This represents the "Morning Star" reaching down to earth—Revelation flowing from heaven to us.


• The Honeycomb (Deseret):
  The deep blue background isn't solid; it’s a subtle hexagon lattice. This represents the Hive—our industry, our work, and our community building Zion together.

How to Build Your Own Geometry Star

This project looks intimidating, but it follows a simple rule I call the "Ring of Five." If you can count to five, you can build this star.

Supplies You Need:

• High-Gloss Photo Paper: (Crucial! Matte paper looks dull. Glossy paper looks like stained glass when lit.)
• Wooden Skewers or Dowels: I reinforced the inside of mine with thin sticks to create a "skeleton." This makes it incredibly strong.
• Accessory Cord with Bulb: Look for a white "Village Accessory Cord" with an E12 socket.
• LED Bulb (Warm White): WARNING: Do not use incandescent bulbs! They get too hot and will burn your paper. Use a 40W Equivalent LED Bulb (Warm White 2700K).

Isosahedron Triangular Pyramids

Step 1: The "Logos" Paper

I printed my pattern directly onto photo paper. You can find beautiful "Blue and Gold Geometric" digital papers on Etsy or Creative Market. Look for "Seamless Art Deco" or "Sacred Geometry" patterns.

Step 2: The Pyramid Build

You need to build 20 identical pyramids. Each pyramid has an equilateral triangle as its base.

The Secret Ingredient: I taped wooden sticks along the inside seams. This turned flimsy paper into a rigid, architectural structure.

THE INSIDE OF THE STAR SHOWING WOODEN SKELETON

Step 3: The Assembly (The Ring of Five)

Here is the trick: Don't try to build a ball. Build Bowls.

Connect 5 pyramids together in a circle. They will naturally curl up into a bowl shape. Make two of these "Bowls" (a top and a bottom). Then, use the remaining 10 pyramids to create a "belt" that connects them.

💡 Pro Tip: Use strong packing tape on the INSIDE of the star. No one will see it, and it acts as a flexible hinge for the wooden sticks.  

Icosahedron The Ring of Five

Step 4: Let There Be Light

Before sealing the final pyramid, I suspended the LED light inside. I secured the cord to the wooden frame using a zip-tie so the bulb floats perfectly in the center, never touching the paper walls.

The Final Reveal

When I finally plugged it in, the room transformed. The gold foil blocked the light, creating a silhouette of the sacred symbols, while the blue shone with a deep, underwater glow.

It was a reminder to me that even when life feels chaotic, there is an underlying Order. There is a Geometry to the Grace we receive.

Whether you are a math teacher, a hiker, or just someone looking for a little more light this season, I hope you take the time to make something with your hands. It’s the best gift you can give.

Merry Christmas, and keep adventuring!

- Shauna