The Meanings, History and Origins of Ancient Irish Celtic Symbols

The Triskele/Triple Spiral

The triple spiral or triskele is an ancient symbol found on a number of Irish Megalithic and Neolithic sites, most notably inside the Newgrange passage tomb (c. 3200 B.C.), on the entrance stone, and on some of the curbstones surrounding the mound. What the symbol meant to the pagans who built Newgrange and other monuments is unknown, but it is believed by many to be an ancient symbol of pre-Celtic and Celtic beliefs. Triple deities and triads are common throughout world mythology, and the number three has a long history of mythical and magical associations. Some well known examples are:

• The Fates or Furies in Greek and Roman mythology
• Cerberus, the three-headed hound of Hades
• The Christian Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
• The Zoroastrian Magi (the "Three Wise Men" in Christianity)
• The Matres of Roman mythology, later worshipped by European Celts

Mythological triads consist of three entities inter-related in some way (life, death, rebirth, for example) and are usually associated with one another or appear together. In Irish mythology, Brigit or Brighid ("exalted one"), along with her two sisters (also called Brighid), is considered a classic Celtic Triple Goddess. As one of the most popular goddesses worshipped by the Celtic peoples, including the druids, many of her stories and symbology survive in the persona of Saint Brigid. In the living traditions, whether seen as goddess or saint, she is largely associated with the home and hearth and is a favorite of both Pagans and Christians.

Another mythological figure is The Morrígan (often translated as "Phantom Queen"). She was a tripartite battle goddess of the ancient Irish Celts and is associated with sovereignty, prophecy, war and death on the battlefield.

The triple spiral was likely the precursor to the later triskele design found in the early Celtic Christian illuminated manuscripts such as the Book of Kells. Whatever the original meaning of the triple spiral, Celtic Christians adopted the symbol to represent the Christian Trinity.

In more recent times, the triple spiral has become one of the main symbols of Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, often standing for the "three realms" - Land, Sea and Sky, or for one of a number of deities who are described in the lore as "threefold" or triadic. The Triple Goddess, for example, is held in particular reverence, and her three aspects are most often portrayed as being of different ages: Maiden, Mother and Crone.

Forms of the Triskele Symbol

	A modern form of the triple spiral symbol
	Version with three thick single spirals.
	Spiral triskelion, occasionally used as a Christian Trinitarian symbol
	One decorative version of a "wheeled" form of the triple spiral symbol, sometimes considered a solar symbol
	A spiral triskelion with a hollow triangle at its center

Triquetra/Trinity Knot

Triquetra is a word derived from the Latin tri- ("three") and quetrus ("cornered"). Its original meaning was simply "triangle" and it has been used to refer to various three-cornered shapes. Nowadays, it has come to refer exclusively to a certain more complicated shape formed of three vesicae piscis, sometimes with an added circle in or around it.

Ancient usage

The triquetra has been found on rune stones in Northern Europe and on early Germanic coins. It presumably had pagan religious meaning and it bears a resemblance to the Valknut, a symbol associated with Odin.

Celtic & Christian Art

The triquetra is often found in Insular art, most notably metal work and in illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells. While it is uncertain what the symbol may have meant to the Celts, it is often found as a design element in larger drawings of triskeles or triple spirals. The symbol was later used by Christians as a symbol of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). This appropriation was particularly easy because the triquetra conveniently incorporated three shapes that could be interpreted as Christian symbols.

A common representation of the symbol is with a circle that goes through the three interconnected loops in the Triquetra. The circle emphasizes that through the combination of the three elements, a 'whole' is created, and the latter is influenced by each of the elements. It stresses unity, which is one of the most fundamental ideas of Christianity.

Modern Representations

• The triquetra is often used artistically as a design element when Celtic knotwork is used. Many who identify as Modern Celts may use the symbol to display an identification with Celtic culture, whether they live in the Celtic Nations or the diaspora.
• In recent years, the symbol has become well-known due to its use on the cover of the "Book of Shadows" used by the three sisters on the American TV show Charmed.
• A triquetra is one of the four symbols on the cover of the Led Zeppelin album, Led Zeppelin IV, where it used as the personal symbol of bassist John Paul Jones.
• The triquetra has recently been adopted as the logo of the Ontario New Democratic Party in Canada.
• The band Payable on Death (P.O.D.) uses this symbol on most of their CD covers.
• The triquetra is used to represent the Trinity on The New King James Version Bibles, published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
• It is used in fashion on Lionheart Apparel clothing.

Forms of the Triquetra Symbol

	Triquetra in blue as part of an interlaced Christian Trinitarian decorative symbol.
	Triquetra composed exactly of three overlapping Vesica piscis symbols.
	Tightly-knotted form of triquetra.
	An interlaced double Triquetra.
	Triquetra interlaced with circle as Christian Trinitarian symbol (a "Trinity knot").
	The cross of triquetras or Carolingian Cross.

Celtic knots

History

Not much history of the knots is available before the beginning of the Christian influence on the Celts in about A.D. 450. There is much evidence for the use of geometric patterns as ornamentation particularly in jewelry before that time. Some historians have theorized that early Celtic religion prevented their depicting creatures realistically.

The same pre-Christian designs found their way into early Christian manuscripts and artwork with the addition of depictions from life, such as animals, plants and even humans. In the beginning the patterns were intricately interwoven cords, called plaits, which can also be found in other areas of Europe, like Italy in 6th century. A fragment of a Gospel Book, now in the Durham Cathedral library and created in northern Britain in the 7th century, contains the earliest example of true knotted designs in the Celtic manner.

Examples of plaitwork (a woven, unbroken cord design) predate knotwork designs in several cultures around the world, but the broken and reconnected plaitwork that is characteristic of true knotwork began in Northern Italy and Southern Gaul and spread to Ireland by the 7th century. The style is most commonly associated with the Celtic lands but it was also practiced extensively in England and was exported to Europe by Irish and Northumbrian monastic activities on the continent. In modern times Celtic Art is popularly thought of in terms of national identity and therefore specifically Irish, Scottish or Welsh.

Significance

J. Romilly Allen has identified "eight elementary knots which form the basis of nearly all the interlaced patterns in Celtic decorative art"; however, there is no evidence to indicate that a knot had any specific philosophical or religious significance beyond perhaps the most obvious, that being the intricacy capable in the work of humans, itself reflective of the intricacy of Natural forms. Some Wiccans have taken up the creation of celtic knots, attributing to them ideas and magical properties that may not have been there originally.

Many items decorated with knotwork have been found in archaeological sites. Items such as torcs, bowls and cups are adorned with intricate patterns by ancient smiths.

Examples of Celtic Knots

	A classic Celtic knot pattern.
	Detail of Celtic knot from the Book of Kells.
	Design influenced by illustration in the Lindisfarne Gospels.