An octagon or octagon is an eight-sided polygon.
An octagon is a polygon that has 8 sides and therefore 8 angles. The concept can also be named octagon since both versions are accepted by the dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) .
Establishing the etymological origin of the term takes us to Greek. Specifically, it emanates from the sum of two words from that language that result in the meaning “geometric body that has eight angles” : okto , which can be translated as “eight” ; and gono , which is synonymous with “angle” . The Greek word derived from the Latin octagōnos , which came to our language as octagon.
Characteristics of an octagon
When adding the interior angles of one of these geometric figures, the result will be 6 pi radians or 1080º . It is important to highlight, however, that we can distinguish between different types of octagons.
The regular octagon is one whose 8 sides and angles are equal. This means that the union of each side forms an angle that measures 135º : if we already mentioned that the sum of the internal angles of an octagon always gives 1080º and in the case of regular octagons all the angles are equal, we only have to divide 1080º between 8 angles to find out how long an angle measures.
In a similar sense, it is easy to calculate the perimeter of a regular octagon. We only have to know the length of one of the sides and then multiply it by 8, since all the sides are equal and the perimeter is the sum of the lengths of said sides.
In irregular octagons , which have sides of different lengths, these properties are not met.
An esoteric symbol
We cannot ignore that there is also what is known as the energy octagon . This is a term that is used within the field of the stars, esotericism, clairvoyance... It refers to an eight-sided symbol that is considered to be a wonderful tool to attract good energy and positivity. So much so that it is believed that through it the body's cells recover, renew themselves and this results in pain and diseases of all kinds disappearing.
Likewise, it is said that it is the result of the sum of three octagons of different sizes: the boy, which is the one that is in relation to both earthly and divine love; the medium, which refers to the spirit and unconditional love; and the great one, which is the mixture of transmutation, healing and love without conditions.
By uniting these three elements, it is possible to shape the aforementioned energy octagon which, in addition to the above, is considered to combat cases of impotence, put an end to stress, cleanse the aura of the person in question, improve energy and prevent that the arrival of negative forces occurs.
The mixed martial arts ring is an octagon.
The octagon as a ring
Lastly, the ring where certain mixed martial arts fights take place is known as the octagon.
As is easy to assume, this name is due to the shape of the stage that houses the fights. For example: “The Brazilian fighter only lasted one minute in the octagon before being knocked out by his opponent.”