Start by figuring out how big you want your pentagram to be. This is figured as the distance between opposite points. For our example, we’ll be making a pentagram with a line length of 100mm. We use millimeters to measure as this will produce the most accurate drawing.

One horizontal line at the bottom.

First, draw a straight line at the bottom of the paper using your ruler and pen. This will act as the base that the pentagram will sit on. Make sure the line is dark enough to see through the back side of the paper.

Now fold the paper so that the ends of the line touch. Smooth the fold down with your fingernail. Now unfold the paper and draw a line on the fold.

Two perpendicular lines.

You should have two perpendicular lines.

Now it’s time for a little math.

We’re using what’s called the Golden Ratio. It occurs naturally in biology, anatomy, architecture, art, and physics. Read here for more info on the Golden Ratio.

The ratio is roughly rounded as 1.618034… Since we started with 100mm we will divide 100 by the Golden Ratio. We end up with 62mm after rounding to the nearest millimeter. We now divide 62 by the Golden Ratio and end up with 38mm after rounding down to the nearest millimeter.

We now have 3 numbers: 100, 62, and 38.

Take the second number and divide it in half, which is 31. Set your ruler on the base line and line up the 31mm mark at the point where the perpendicular line meets the base line.

Now mark the 0mm and 62mm points of the ruler on the baseline

Add two points to the base line.

Three points forming a triangle.

Now move the ruler so that the 0mm point remains where it is, and the 100mm mark touches the perpendicular line. Mark the spot of the 100mm mark on the perpendicular line.

If you measure between the top point and the bottom right point, it should also measure 100mm.

Using your ruler, draw a straight line from the bottom left to the top point. Draw another line from the bottom right point to the top point.

You should now have a triangle of the three points.

The two midway points aren't "halfway" points. Make sure you use your third Golden Ratio number and measure along the line from the bottom.

Now we are going to mark midway points.

Using the third number, which is 38 in this case, measure from the bottom left point along the left line, and mark 38mm from the bottom point.

Repeat and mark 38mm from the bottom right point along the right line.

You now have two midway points on each line. They should both be 38mm from the nearest bottom point.

Now we are going to place the ruler with 0mm on the bottom left point. Lay it so that it crosses the right side midway point.

Make a point at the 100mm mark. This point will not be touching any line.

The finished pentagram and all points.

Repeat the other way by putting the 0mm mark on the bottom right point and laying it so that it crosses the left side midway point

Make a point at the 100mm mark. This point will not be touching any line.

Now using your ruler, draw a line from the bottom left point to the top right point

Draw another line from the bottom right point to the top left point.

Finally, draw a line from the top left point to the top right point.

Now you should be seeing a perfectly drawn pentagram!

For a clean drawing without the base and perpendicular lines, place a clean sheet of paper over your drawing. Mark the five points, and reconnect them using your ruler.

Inside the pentagram is a perfectly shaped pentagon that you can trace too, or transfer the points and make a shrunken copy of your pentagram.

Draw a circle around the pentagram, and you’ve created a pentacle.

You can now use your drawing as a sewing pattern, a wood carving or wood burning stencel, a paint stencel, or a metal cutting stencel for making decorative Americana decorations.  If you are a Wiccan, you can use this template to make your own jewelry or altar pieces.

Check out this video on how to make a pentagram with Gimp:

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