Literally translated Triquetra (try-KET-ra) is Latin for three cornered. Each triangle is constructed of three interlocked circles. Typically oblong circles which intersect witch each other. As with many Celtic intertwined lines, there is no beginning and no end; representing eternity.
The Triquetra’s earliest known evidence of existence dates back to around 500 B.C., appearing on silver coins of Macedonian Kings in Asia Minor. From there it was taken both in coinage and as a religious symbol by traders to Siracusa Sicily. During this migration the Celts are thought to have adopted it and customised its shape and meaning from its origins as a Trinkele. The shape is certainly associated with Norse symbology and is often connected with the Norse God Odin.
The Funbo runestones constitute a group of four remaining runestones, from Funbo in the Swedish province of Uppland, and which were raised by members of the same family, in the 11th century. The image above shows the U937 runestone in the park of Uppsala University featuring a triquetra. This runestone was found in Uppsala, in 1875, in the walls of a Franciscan monastery, between the streets of St Persgatan and Klostergatan. The fact that it mentions names from the same family as the runestones of Funbo, shows that it was formerly part of the same group. Like many other runestones it had been used for building and oddly enough, in this case for a Christian monastery.
Its original meaning is of course debated by scholars around the world. But if we try to remember that it was initially used by Germanic pagan religions and early Celitc pagan religions, we can certaily associate the symbol with various uses of trinity.
A trinity can serve as a reminder that humankind is a balancing trinity of mind-body-spirit. But it can be applied in magik as Earth-Air-Water, Land-Sea-Sky or Life-Death-Rebirth. It can also be utilized through acknowledgement of the Morrígan, the triple Goddess Maiden-Mother-Crone or as a symbol of the Divine Trinity Mother-Father-Godhead. Uses can be personalized to fit any tri- or triple meaning. A symbol to represent a set of triples, or a family of three as father-mother-child.
The symbol is a form of “Sacred Geometry,” a practice that dates all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. The original Celtic Cross, pentagram, hexagram (Star of David), are all derived from Sacred Geometry. was often used as a form of protection. As with any geometric symbol there are hidden secrets and messages within the symbology.
