Define multiple starting points in state diagram

Question

When I do the following:

@startuml
[*] --> state1
[*] --> state2

state1 --> state3
state2 --> state3

state3 --> [*]
@enduml

There is one starting point leading to state1 and state2. As far as I know this is not compliant with UML and I don't know how to define multiple starting points.

Also I couldn't figure out how to label the starting point as "[*] : label " gives a syntax error.

Answer 1

In the official UML specification http://www.omg.org/spec/UML/2.5/ a starting point / or initial pseudo state is described as follows:
An initial Pseudostate represents a starting point for a Region; that is, it is the point from which
execution of its contained behavior commences when the Region is entered via default activation. It is the
source for at most one Transition, which may have an associated effect Behavior, but not an associated trigger or
guard. There can be at most one initial Vertex in a Region.

So you are right, it is not conform with UML to have two transitions from a starting point, but there should only be one starting point in a Region.