【Triqueta】 Celtic Symbol Tattoos

The symbol of the triquetra (sometimes called the triquetra), the meaning of which is deeply rooted in the northern European past, has an ambiguous history.

In fact, we don't even know exactly what we call the phrase "triquetra symbol" (or "triquetra symbol"), because the word "triquetrum" itself is of Latin origin (from "tri" - "three" and "quetrum") - have corners). That is, we do not know the original name of the symbol used by the Celts, Scandinavians, British, Germans or Slavs.

Another conceptual aspect should be noted immediately: the triquetra symbol (also, along with the word triquetr, it is fair to use the word triquestr, a variation of the original Latin name) is relatively neutral, or we think it is neutral. Probably, for the peoples of the north and, perhaps, of central Europe, the triquetra was a universal sacred sign, but we have not received any reliable information about its purpose and functions. That is, we do not know the meaning original of the triquetra, but there are many archaeological artifacts on the basis of which we can build various theories. Also, the meaning of the triquetra appears to have changed over time.

The first finds with the image of the triquetra symbol belong to the Bronze Age (33-11 BC). In all probability, for the ancient peoples of Great Britain and Scandinavia, the triquetra personified the phases (not movement!) Of the Sun, in particular: sunrise, zenith, and sunset.

In this sense, the symbol of the triquetra is often personified by the norn Urd, Verdandi and Skuld or the aces of Odin, Vili and Vyo, but this is not even a hypothesis, because there are no direct or indirect indications of such a semantic connection. . But there are theories that connect the triquetra (below is a picture of the symbol in its variations) with the phases of the moon and even with cyclical life processes, which makes sense. But make no mistake, the Celts themselves may well have used the triquetra as an element of the lunar calendar, but there is and cannot be any connection to the occult and the Wiccans, The presence of the triquetra symbol on numerous runestones in the Islands British and the Scandinavian Peninsula suggests that the Celts, Friesians and Scandinavians really gave it a special meaning. For example, the Irish probably associated the triquetra with Manannana Mac Lear.

In the Scandinavian tradition (later in the Germanic), the symbol of the triquetra is obviously associated with the god Thor. In Russia, the triquetra had an applied meaning, it was often carved into household items as a spectacular decoration (perhaps as an amulet). The Slavs are supposed to have taken the triquetra from the Scandinavian mercenaries, who used it everywhere from painting on utensils to patterns carved on drakkars.  

Triquetra is depicted on the coins of the early rulers of York, who, although Christian, came from the legendary Scandinavian Ynglings. Also, the Scandinavian king Harald the Severe (killed in 1066 at the Battle of Stamfordbridge) issued silver coins with the traditional triquetry (as they say, Celtic). In the Spassky Cathedral of Chernigov in 1923, silver bracelets from the XNUMXth century were found, on which the triquetra is represented, on both products it is located between a lion and a lioness. Some researchers believe that the lion and lioness here are an allegory of masculine and feminine principles, and the triquetra is a family home, or the passion (love?) That unites them.

Triquetra symbol: etymology and misconceptions As already noted, "" "triquetr" is not a name original, probably appeared in the late Middle Ages, when the symbol became widespread. In general, the Latin word "triquetrum" was originally called any triangular shape, but over time the name "became attached" to a specific symbol. In the Middle Ages, the Christian tradition tried to organically weave the symbol of the triquetra into the religious paradigm.oso canonical, merging it with the image of vesica piscis ("fish bubble" in Latin). In fact, the symbol vesica piscis, widely represented in iconography, which hides in itself curious mathematical principles, has nothing to do with the triquetra.

Christians inscribed the meaning of the triquetra in the principle of the Trinity, but this idea did not receive support. Separately, it should be said that the triquetra is often called "clover", and nominally there is no contradiction here, because outwardly the symbol actually looks like three folded wooden (oak?) Leaves. However, we don't know if the triquetra could really be called similarly. But comparing the triquetra with the triskelion (triskele) or any other version of the swastika is an obvious mistake, because here we are already talking about two fundamentally distinguishable principles. Trikvetr in its form does not correspond to the movement of the Sun (we have already talked about this), while the swastika (any, and the same triskel) simply embodies this movement (of course, only in one of its semantic aspects). We will also dwell on the misconception associated with the "triquetra amulet" concept.

In fact, not a single pendant with this symbol has been found, that is, in fact, the triquetra amulet is a modern stylization, it is not known if this symbol was used as an amulet or talisman, and in general, if it could have been used in that way, based on the original meaning of this sacred sign. After all, Thor's Hammer itself is quite a popular archaeological find, it was definitely used as a talisman (probably as a talisman), because in Denmark and Sweden, as well as in northern Russia, many pendants (by most of the IX-XI centuries) were found, made in the form of Mjolnir ... That is, the triquetra amulet is, at best, a spectacular decoration, a modern variation that does not have an original esoteric connotation. On the other hand, it may not be in vain that the pendants of this (popular!) Form were not used by the peoples of antiquity, who probably knew more about the symbolism of the triquetra than we do.

Summarizing the above, we can summarize that the triquetra symbol is one of the oldest sacred signs on the European continent. He was venerated by many peoples, personifying the image of a certain trinity, probably some cyclicality (perhaps universal). Probably, the triquetra could have a protective functionality, but all that we know about it today is only a hypothesis, although sometimes, it seems, very correct.