Triquetra Symbolism, Meanings, and History
The Triquetra is an Indo-European origin tri-pointed symbol or a triangular figure composed of three interlaced arcs used in some cultures to symbolize life, death, and rebirth (life, death, and reincarnation, for the Celts).
In other words, a triquetra is formed by interlocking three identical shapes to create a distinctive three-cornered pattern.
Archaeological evidence suggests it has been an important symbol in Celtic art for centuries and was widely used in German paganism.
Triquetras can be found on many runestones, for example, and they also appear in wood and stone carvings throughout northern Europe.
Neo-pagans. People who follow pagan and New Age traditions believed to be rooted in ancient Celtic practices often use the Triquetra as an expression of faith. Some say it represents the triple goddess in her roles as maiden, mother, and crone, while others suggest it reflects fertility, unity, and other ideas important to practices. Due to the pagan associations of this symbol, it often appears in artwork and jewelry intended to appeal to this community.
In Christianity, the Triquetra is often used as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is common for a Christian triquetra to consist of three interlocking mandorlas, almond shapes formed by the Vesica Piscis symbol, another ancient symbol. The three forms symbolize the individual members of the Trinity, their unification symbolizing the unity of the Trinity.
There are several variations of the Triquetra. Some, for example, are intertwined with other symbols so that the form acquires additional personal meaning. People may also see patterns with symbols or text inside the voids formed by the nested shapes. It also appears in the Trinity knot, closely associated with Christian beliefs about the Holy Trinity.
In summary, the Triquetra represents a symbol with a long and rich history, dating back to ancient Celtic cultures. Today, the symbol is still used to symbolize faith, love, and protection. Whether you see it in artwork or jewelry, the Triquetra is a beautiful symbol with deep meaning. Have you ever seen the Triquetra before? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments below!
According to Celtic tradition and Druidism, the Triquetra has healing and blessing powers, fertility, and life; it can cure any ailment if it is held over the sick person or the affected part, aided by waterfall water and a healing ritual or focused energy articulation.
But, just like its meaning, the Triquetra can also bring death if summoned by the druid user.
Lunar rituals closely relate to the universe’s Triquetra, fertility, and femininity. Phases are fundamental to Druidry. The Celtic calendar is lunar.
History of the Triquetra
The Triquetra, representing the feminine part of the universe, was mainly used by male druids since the Celtic ideology was based on a very advanced sense of balance for all purposes. However, it was not a specific symbol for men, as many dryads used it for many rituals.
In the conquest by Julius Caesar, the army adopted the trisquel to the Gallo-Roman culture. The Roman Christian church of Constantine II gave it another meaning, that of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thus, it lost its sense of Celtic origin.
Despite everything, many kept their beliefs and symbols, commonly led by druids.
Triquetra in Germanic Paganism
The Triquetra is found on runestones from Northern Europe and ancient Germanic coins. It presumably had religious significance, linked to Germanic paganism, and resembles the Valknut, a symbol traditionally associated with Odin.
Triquetra in Celtic art
The Triquetra is often encountered in Hiberno-Saxon art, especially in silverwork and illuminated manuscripts, such as the Book of Kells. It is also found in similar ornaments of Celtic crosses and early Christian stones.
The fact that the Triquetra rarely appeared alone in Celtic art has led to doubts about its use as a primary religious symbol. In manuscripts, it was used mainly as an ornament or to fill empty spaces with much more complex compositions.
In the interlacing panels, it is a motif integrated with the middle of the others. Celtic art is still alive as a folk tradition and through several revival movements. Christian, pagan and agnostic Celts have used this knot to symbolize things and people going in threes.
Triquetra as a Christian symbolism
Christians then used the triquetra symbol as a symbol of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). This appropriation was made particularly easy by the fact that the Triquetra contained three forms that could be interpreted as the Christian symbols Ιχθυς ( Ichthus ).
These Christian triquetras are frequently accompanied by a circle that crosses the three loops, emphasizing the unity of the three elements.
Modern Uses of the Triquetra
In Ireland, Galicia and Brittany, at the same time, it is a tradition for men to give a girlfriend or wife a necklace or a ring, symbolizing their affection for her.
It is common in the Trinity knot design, engraved on a wedding ring and attached to a Claddagh ring (another traditional ring for friendship or engagement). It is believed to represent the three promises of a relationship: to love, honour and protect.
Triquetra in Neopaganism
Neopaganism uses the Triquetra to symbolize different mythological concepts and figures.
The Germanic neo-pagan groups (the Norsemen) who use the Triquetra to symbolize their beliefs believe it is of Scandinavian and Germanic origin.
Its presence in insular Celtic art led reconstructionists to use it to represent one of the triplicities of their cosmogony (such as the tripartite division of the world into Earth, Sea, and Sky) or as a symbol of one of the triple goddesses, e.g. Morrigan.
The symbol is also sometimes used by Wiccans and some New Age adherents to represent either the Triple Goddess of Neopaganism or the interconnected aspects of the existence of Mind, Body, and Soul or other concepts that seem to reflect this unity.
As aforesaid, neo-pagan culture, the Triquetra, can be interpreted differently. Its extremities can represent the three stages of a woman, in this case, the young girl, the mother, and the older woman.
Some people attribute it to the Triple Goddess facet. This symbol could also evoke “past, present and future”, “body, mind and soul”, or “land, sea and sky.”
This last explanation is the most common version of Celtic culture. Although this is a misinterpretation, neo-pagans use the Triquetra as a symbol of protection against evil spirits.
The Wicca Triquetra
The Wicca triquetra resembles the Christian version since it contains a circle in the centre. The presence of this geometric shape reflects the power of this symbol. It is why Wiccans consider it an instrument of magic.
They often use it during religious rituals. According to their belief, the circle is the symbol of protection and also of eternity. For this last meaning, the Triquetra evokes the process of life or the cycle of life and rebirth.
The Triquetra as a Universal Symbol
The Triquetra is an ancient symbol with many meanings and associations. In its most basic form, the Triquetra represents the three elements of the Celtic spiritual tradition: earth, air, and water.
The Triquetra can also represent the three stages of life (birth, death, and rebirth), the three domains of the universe (earth, sky, and sea), or the three forms of existence (physical, mental, and spiritual).
The Triquetra is often used as a symbol of protection, as it is believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. It is also seen as a symbol of unity, representing the three elements coming together to create something whole. The Triquetra can also be seen as a symbol of strength and courage, as it takes all three components to overcome challenges in life.
Whether you see the Triquetra as an ancient Celtic symbol or a modern-day talisman, there is no denying that it is a powerful and intriguing emblem with a rich history and many meanings.
The Triquetra Today
The Triquetra is an ancient symbol with a long and rich history. Today, it is still a symbol of power, protection, and spirituality. It can be found in various places, from jewelry to tattoos to architecture.
The Triquetra has been used as a symbol of power for centuries. In ancient times, it was believed to be a powerful talisman that could protect against evil spirits. Today, many people still believe that the Triquetra has mystical powers. It is often used as a symbol of protection, such as in body art or jewelry.
The Triquetra is also a popular choice for tattoos. It can represent various things, such as strength, courage, and spirituality. Many people choose to get the Triquetra tattooed on their bodies to show their connection to this ancient symbol.
The Triquetra can also be found in architecture and design. This symbol is often used in Celtic-inspired designs due to its history and meaning. The Triquetra can add a sense of mystery and power to any plan.
Triquetra in Popular Culture
The Triquetra is a famous symbol with a long history and rich meaning. It has been used in many different cultures, often with diverse symbolism. In modern times, the Triquetra has been adopted by many people as a symbol of their personal beliefs or as a decorative element.
The most common use of the Triquetra today is as a symbol of the Christian Trinity. The three interlocking circles represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This interpretation became popular in the Middle Ages and has been widely used. Many Christians see the Triquetra as a reminder of their faith and a sign of their commitment to God.
The Triquetra can also be found in Celtic artwork and mythology. For the Celts, the three interlocking circles represented the triple goddess – the Maiden, Mother, and Crone – or the three natural forces of earth, air, and water. The Celtic Triple Goddess was often depicted with a spiral triskelion within her circles, emphasizing her power and connection to nature.
In Norse mythology, the Triquetra is known as Tyr’s symbol and represents his power over war, justice, and law. Tyr was one of the most important gods in Norse culture and was associated with courage, honor, and leadership. This symbolism carried over into medieval times when knights used the Triquetra on their shields to signify their courage and strength in battle.
Today, you can find the Triquetra used in a variety of ways. It is a popular tattoo design and can be found on everything from jewelry to coffee mugs. The symbol is also frequently used in pagan and Wiccan circles to represent the triple goddess or as a general symbol of protection. No matter how it is used, the Triquetra remains a powerful and popular symbol with a rich history and meaning.
Other Popular Culture Includes;
Trademarks and logo
- The Mexican distillate called Mezcal Guardian del Tesoro uses the Triquetra precisely in the center of its logo as it is considered representative of 3 essential elements: earth, water, and fire, fundamental elements for the production and distillation of agave.
- The technology company Eternity Online uses it as its primary logo.
- It appears in a Galician brand that markets Orujo spirits, creams, and other derived liqueurs, La Triquetra liquors.
- The TNA clothing brand, exclusively for Aritzia, has a logo of three triquetras.
- The Treyarch video game development team uses the Triquetra as their company logo.
- It is used as the logo of a well-known Galician newspaper.
- It appears on the flag of the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement.
- SPA Serenitemm uses it as its logo and, at the same time, adds two petals to it to also represent the lotus flower.
- The Cagiva motorcycle brand also adopted it as the logo for its Cagiva Raptor model. It is a slightly adorned triquetra with the circular arms of the triskele.
The Italian international company Italtel adopted this emblem for its world-renowned brand. It symbolizes work, perseverance and dedication.
In video games
- A triquetra is seen on the lab floor, among other symbols, at the end of the Assassin’s Creed video game.
- Iris draws a triquetra on the walls of her room in a mental hospital, recognized by the medium Joy in Murderer Soul Suspect.
- A triquetra is the symbol of Project Walrider in the game Outlast.
- It symbolizes one of the Magicka game’s eight magical elements, representing the element “Life”.
- It is the life charge symbol of Legolas in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers for the Game Boy Advance.
- It symbolizes one of Dragon City’s elements (Pure Element).
- The Elder Scroll IV: Oblivion in the steel swords.
- You can see the Triquetra in the “Mora”, Coin of Genshin Impact.
- It appears in The Binding of Isaac, representing three objects: the Body, the Mind, and the Soul.
In literary publications
- The double Triquetra is used to represent the Trinity in the New King James Version of the Bible, published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
- The Triquetra is one of four symbols featured on the British band’s fourth album, Led Zeppelin, and was the symbol of choice for the band’s multi-instrumentalist, John Paul Jones.
- The band Payable On Death (POD) uses this symbol on most of their CD covers.
- The Triquetra is part of the script symbol for “Science and Faith.”
- It appears throughout the entire Charmed series.
- It appears in the BBC series Merlin, in the fourth series, as a necklace or pendant that Morgana Pendragon casts so that all healing spells affect Uther Pendragon more.
- It appears as a symbol of the fictional Book of Shadows in the American series Charmed and is used by all three Halliwell sisters on their cat’s collar.
- The triquetra symbol appeared in the fifth season of Ghost Whisperer in the episode “Lethal Combination”.
- It seems on Michonne’s Katana in The Walking Dead TV series.
- It appears in episode 7 of the fifth season of Vampire Diaries; she is formed with the blood of the Replicas Amara, Katherine and Elena by putting it on a magic book.
- It appears in an episode of Castle.
- It seems to be located in the centre of his hammer in the Thor movies.
- It appears in the Dark series, in the Gates to Time Travel, in the Tanenhaus book, and tattooed on Noah.
- It appears in The 100 series as a symbol of the Skaikru clan or “Sky people”.
- It appears in the movie Constantine as a protective symbol.
- It appears in the series “Kadabra” as a symbol of order.
- It appears in the series My Babysitter’s a Vampire in the second chapter of the first season, referring to the plot of the episode, where it represents immortality.
How to use the amulet triquetra
At this point, you are likely asking yourself, what is it for? And how do I use the Triquetra? As aforesaid, the primary use of the Triquetra is to heal and protect, but new services have been attributed or discovered.
The trike to heal
The most popular use of the magical powers of the Triquetra is for healing purposes since the Celtic Druids used different types in their rituals to heal the sick.
From its origin as an amulet in Celtic symbology, it is assumed that it emanates divine energy that allows healing.
The Triquetra is used to harmonize.
The trike is also assigned a harmonizing use, balancing the energies of the body, soul and mind. You will be able to balance your different astral planes.
Triquetra for fertility
Being a lunar symbol and representative of femininity, it has the power to enhance fertility in those who carry it, which is why it is common to see women wearing a trike as a pendant.
Spiritual use of the Triquetra
You can use the Triquetra to protect your mental and spiritual state on the spiritual plane.
And if you are a woman, a trike will enhance your charms and sensuality while activating your intuition and even your psychic abilities.
Triquetra, love and weddings
It is becoming popular in regions such as Ireland, Galicia and Great Britain to use the Triquetra, signifying love for the couple by giving the bride a ring or necklace with this symbol in the wedding ceremony.
That expresses unconditional love for her while representing the promise of marriage: Love, honour, and protect her.
The man, for his part, wears a ring similar to the Claddagh, and when the two rings are joined, the union and the marriage are consolidated.
Use of the Triquetra in witchcraft and esotericism.
There was a time when the Triquetra was the symbol of witches, its first use in witchcraft when applying the concepts of Wicca about women, utilizing which they allowed to discriminate between pagan and non-pagan women.
Several rituals use the trike as a base or part of it, such as the one shown below. Note that we do not recommend practising it; we only leave it for informational purposes.
The trike, a ritual to invoke the Power of the Triple Goddess
The Triquetra is placed in the centre of an altar by placing three white candles, each arranged at one of the ends of the Triquetra.
Three incense is stuck into each candle, and three flowers (jasmine, rose, and patchouli) are placed on top of the candle.
Next, Will use an oil burner to light everything, and then the following sentence is repeated nine times:
- Holy Powers, hear my plea.
- Triple Aspect of Divinity, I invoke you.
- I ask you to flood me with your power in this magical hour.
- Bless this symbol of your love; bless this symbol with your power.
- Well, day and night, I feel you next to me.
- Hear my call; hear my plea.
- By the power of Three Times Three, always with me!
- By the power of Three Times Three, so be it!
We must consume the candles and almost everything until the end, and this process must be repeated for three days in a row, specifically, the day before the full moon, the same day as the full moon and the day after.
After following these steps, the briquette must be left on the altar and later removed by placing it in the reception of the sacred gifts.
Everyone uses the Triquetra best suits them, although it is recommended to be with a silver chain, allowing continuous contact with the skin.
The believers of Wicca and esotericism affirm that this rite is very effective.