Star of Wormwood (), the Apocalyptic appellation for the national demon of Egypt, set forth in the vision of Patmos as a luminous idol presiding over 'the third part of the waters.' The vocation of this star was to destroy by poison, not by fire, sword, or famine.
St. John seems to employ this symbol of Egyptian poison and bitterness, as the prototype of a great Anti-Christian Power, which would poison and embitter the pure waters of Christian life and doctrine, converting them into 'wormwood.'