The triquetra symbol was used to represent the Great Mother, a lunar goddess the Celts worshipped which was associated with three phases of the moon. The circle, in this sense, provides protection to ensure the spirit does not get broken.Īnother use of the triquetra involves the representation of the triple deities. The triquetra symbol is also known as the trinity knot and the Celtic triangle.Īs for its meanings, it represents unity in spirit when it is used with a circle around it. Triquetra, Celtic Symbol – © 4Luck at ShutterStock Derived from the Latin language, the term triquetra simply means “three-cornered”. The triquetra is another commonly used Celtic symbol the meaning of which varied with time and the tribe using it. Read more about triskele/triskelion in our following post: The flags of Sicily and the Isle of Man, the seal of the US Department of Transportation and the roundel of Irish Air Corps are all examples for the modern use of the triskelion/triskele. The triskelion symbol looks like it is moving and in that sense, it is also considered as the symbol of progress, personal growth and improvement.ĭifferent variations of the symbol were created throughout time and sometimes it can be seen as three conjoined legs. The triskelion was also a symbol of strength in Celtic culture since it represents the will to move forward overcoming adverse conditions one might face. It also represents triple nature and the movement of life which is formed of past, present and future. The earliest examples of the triskelion were found in Malta (4400-3600 BC), on Lycian coins, Mycenaean ships, staters of Pamphylia which is now southern Anatolia (staters were coins representing authorities in ancient times) and at the megalithic passage tomb in Newgrange, Ireland (which is estimated to be built around 3200 BC).īut what does it represent? There are a lot of interpretations regarding its uses most of which are related to trinities and triple nature of things.Īt this point, it would be useful to underline the importance of threes and trinities in Celtic culture.Īs you will read below, many of the ancient Celtic symbols had some kind of relation to a trinity and/or things of triple nature.Īs for what the triskelion meant for the Celts, firstly it was used to represent triune/triadic/triple deities, in other words, three deities worshipped as one. The origin of the symbol goes back to very early times. Triskelion/Triskele © Art_of_Sun at ShutterStock That is why it is also called “the triple spiral”. Triskelion is a symbol comprised of three conjoined spirals with rotational symmetry. The terms triskelion and triskele (another name used for the symbol) are Greek words with the same meaning “three-legged”. Let us start with triskelion since it has been one of the most commonly used Celtic symbols throughout history.
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