The triquetra is a three-angled shape used as a symbol in many cultures, including Celtic art and Germanic paganism. It represents the Holy Trinity in Christianity and is used by pagans to express faith. Variations exist, including the Trinity Knot.
A triquetra is a three angled shape that is used as a symbol in many cultures, ranging from traditional Christianity to pagan Celtic traditions. People may be most familiar with the form in Celtic art, where it appears extensively in a range of situations, from carved gravestones to motifs in Celtic paintings. This design can be utilitarian and very simple, or incredibly ornate and quite beautiful, in the case of complex Celtic knots.
Typically, a triquetra is formed by interlocking three identical shapes to create a distinctive three-cornered pattern. Archaeological evidence suggests that it has been an important symbol in Celtic art for centuries, and was also used extensively in Germanic paganism. Triquetras are found on many runestones, for example, and also appear in wood and stone carvings found throughout Northern Europe.
People who follow pagan and New Age traditions that are said to be rooted in ancient Celtic practices often use the triquetra as an expression of faith. Some say she represents the Triple Goddess in her roles as Maiden, Mother, and Crone, for example, while others suggest she reflects fertility, unity, and other ideas that are important to New Pagan practices. Due to this symbol’s pagan associations, it often shows up in artwork and jewelry that is meant to appeal to this community.
In Christianity, the triquetra is often used as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The three shapes symbolize the individual members of the Trinity, with their unification symbolizing the unity of the Trinity. It is common for a Christian triquetra to be made with three interlocking almonds, almond shapes formed from the vesica piscis symbol, another ancient symbol.
There are a number of variations on the triquetra. Some, for example, are intertwined with other symbols so that the shape takes on additional personal meaning. People can also see patterns with symbols or text within the gaps formed by the interlocking shapes. It also appears in the Trinity Knot, which is closely associated with Christian beliefs about the Holy Trinity.
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