Please reach out. For that reason, we can find it throughout Celtic artistry. One of the great things about the Trinity knot is its versatility; it has been used as a symbol in a variety of religions and even today, it has new significance. I suppose it's not surprising given my mother inherited a grá for the Irish language from my grandfather, an Irish school headmaster. Spiral Knot. A Shop Cookie, which saves data about orders, carts, IP of the clients. The Celts were very familiar with the trinity as the symbol of life being earth wind and water. We see the trinity motif in Celtic knots, as well as in symbol-form like the triquetra and triskelion (a.ka. It is also possible that the Triquetra signified the lunar and solar phases. But their exact meaning has been lost in the mists of time. triskele or fylfot). There is also a possible link to Lunar and Solar phases as a number of Trinity Knot symbols have been found alongside the Celtic era Solar and Lunar symbols. We offer our site in number of different currencies. Of these, the triquetra knot or the Trinity knot is the most famous. The trio function as a single entity and the symbol appears on the cover of their ‘Book of Shadows’; when the power of three is intact, so is the symbol on the book but when the power of three is divided, the symbol is not united. Yet instances of the Trinity knot being used as decoration significantly reduced from the period of the Jacobean Rebellion in the mid 18th century. The symbolism of the Celtic Knots used by craftsmen centuries ago still invokes a type of magic. As far as the Trinity knot’s appearance in Celtic culture is concerned, it seems as if the distinctive artwork style developed during Ireland’s Insular Art movement around the 7th century but it is difficult to get a precise date. I love researching and reading about the history of Irish design. The legendary Book of Kells, believed to be from the early 9th century, also bears the Trinity knot symbol amongst its other decorative artwork. There is also a possible link to Lunar and Solar phases as a number of Trinity Knot symbols have been found alongside the Celtic era Solar and Lunar symbols. The website cannot function properly without these cookies. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, to see what's new and upcoming. Born in Co. Antrim and reared in Dublin, I was fascinated with Gaelic culture from an early age. Christians believe the Triquetra began with monks who brought the symbol with them along with their faith when converting the Celts. The Christians used the knot to symbolize the Holy Trinity and added a circle to represent eternal life. The trinity represents the Power of Three, a spiritual law that says (among other things) when three entities combine powers, they increase their power far greater than three times. For the above groups, the Trinity knot is symbolic of the threefold nature of the Goddess as mother, maiden and crone. Exploring Celtic Meaning For Trinity, Triskelion, Triad, and Triquetra: The Celtic symbol for trinity has a myriad of symbolic meaning. the trinity knot or triquetra (try-KET-ra) has been a revered symbol in Ireland for centuries. Trinity Knot Meanings The Trinity knot is also called the Triquetra and is one of the best known symbols in Celtic culture. Many Celtic knots have been used as artwork by the ancient Celts to decorate monuments, Celtic jewelry and important manuscript works such as the Book of Kells. An 8th Century Celtic find, the Tara Brooch was likely used as a ceremonial piece by a Celtic King. Whether you're marking a birthday or anniversary with someone special, or purchasing a piece as a reminder of a milestone for yourself a Trinity Knot piece is a beautiful gift. The Celtic Trinity Knot, or the Triquetra, is one of the most common of the knot ilk. During the 20th Century during a period known as the Celtic Revival, there was a rebirth of Celtic symbolism in literature, art, and jewelry. The Spiral Knot is thought to represent the journey from the physical life to the spiritual … Heavily decorated pieces were believed to be invested with a mysteriousness even to this day. Celtic knotwork was essentially kept alive during the dark period due to patronage from Gaelic aristocrats. And that grá continues! As with many Celtic knots, the meaning of the Holy Trinity Knot for Christians is symbolized in the continuous line. It is sometimes called the trinity knot or the trinity circle (when a circle is included) and is most often found in areas of Celtic influence. The triquetra is often used artistically as a design element when Celtic knotwork is used, especially in association with the modern Celtic Nations. One of the most common interpretations says that it symbolizes the Christian Trinity - the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost. The triquetra, also known as the trinity knot, is one of the most prominent Celtic signs and symbols in Irish culture. Dating back nearly five thousand years. Trinity Knot This is arguably the best known Celtic knot and is also called the Triquetra. This movement referred to distinct artwork developed in Britain and Ireland, known for its use of interlaced strands. Some variations of this knot include a circle at the center. The Trinity Knot. Trinity Knots are one of the most famous types of Celtic Knotwork and an instantly recognizable Irish Symbol. You can send us a note or give us a call—the Dublin workshop is here to make sure that you have a perfect experience from start to finish with My Irish Jeweler. Cookie lasts for 30 days. The Trinity Knot. “Dense Interlace” or more complicated knotwork was popular on the front of a vessel or piece of jewelry, it seems, where more delicate spirals were reserved for the back of a piece. The term Triquetra comes from Latin, and it means “three-cornered.” There are many schools of thought when discussing the Celtic trinity knot meaning. It is equally referred to as Triquetra. Join our Email list for early offers and special features. It's at the core of what we do here at My Irish Jeweler. The number three had a deeply spiritual meaning and was found in many aspects of their culture. According to the Celts, the most important things in the world came in threes; three domains (earth, sea and sky), three elements, three stages of life etc. Historically, centuries ago the Celts would have buried their treasures as symbols of contracts or sacrifice. The Triquetra or the Trinity Knot reserves a special place on our list of popular Celtic symbols and their meanings. The trinity knot became a frequent symbol in Celtic artwork in the 7 th Century and flourished during the Insular Art Period. The Celtic trinity knot dates back … My brother and sister are now Gaelic teachers here in Ireland, my niece is an award winning Irish dancer, and I proudly work to share Irish culture through our Irish and Celtic Jewelry at My Irish Jeweler! The Celtic triquetra is attached to a multitude of symbolic meanings. These forms of the triquetra often include a circle to emphasize the unity of the three parts of the Trinity. Jim McCabe and his family planted this sylvan Trinity Knot in the 1980s in County Sligo, Ireland. The trinity knot is an ancient Celtic symbol that has been adopted by atheists and various religions to take on a variety of very different meanings. But without any other records to go by from this ancient time we really can’t be sure. The Meaning of the Trinity Knot: Trinity Knots may draw on the Celtic significance of the three domains of Earth, Sea, and Sky. Below, we take an in-depth look at the Trinity knot and outline its history as well as analyzing what it meant to the various cultures that adopted it as a symbol. In its original form of vesicae pisces, it incorporates the fish which is a popular Christian symbol. Curious about the meaning of a Trinity Knot? As is the case with a lot of Celtic symbolism, the Trinity knot has been assigned a host of new meanings in the modern age. The triquetra, like most Celtic knots, is basically one continuous line interweaving around itself, with no beginning or end. They are engraved on Celtic stone crosses that still stand a millennium later, and they elevate stunning ancient treasures like the Ardagh Chalice. In recent times, the popularity of the triple knot has seen a massive resurgence. - It can be used as a symbol of Ireland’s ancient culture. Used by Google Tag Manager to control the loading of a Google Analytics script tag. One of the best known uses of the Triquetra comes from the hit TV series Charmed, featuring three sisters who happen to be witches. - The endless intertwining curves can also be representative of eternal love. It’s likely the Trinity knot had religious meaning for pagans and it also bears a resemblance to the Valknut which is a symbol associated with Odin, a revered God in Norse mythology. Tradition says sailors crafted these simple two… When you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of 'cookies'. Have a question or something you're not entirely sure about when browsing our pieces? All of the various … Yet many historians believe original knotwork symbols such as the Trinity knot are Celtic in origin. This detail of the Moylough Belt Shrine is a fine example of 8th Century Celtic art. An 8th Century relic the Ardagh Chalice has long been held as one of the finest examples of Celtic Knotwork. This Celtic symbol has made various appearances in this modern-day, by featuring in the famous motion picture ‘Thor’ on Thor’s hammer as well as renowned American television series, Charmed, on their Book of Shadows. Statistic cookies help website owners to understand how visitors interact with websites by collecting and reporting information anonymously. In the modern era, you will see the Trinity knot in … The triquetra is a Latin word, meaning “triangular” or “three-cornered.” In its purest form, the triquetra is three interconnected ovals — one pointing upward, the other two pointing down, to the left and right. A symbol that is made of three interlocking circles, the Trinity Knot is also known … In Ireland it is a popular legend that the Christian Cross was introduced to the island by … - It can make a wonderful gift for a host of occasions such as an engagement, wedding and anniversaries. Since the 1970s and 1980s, tattoos of Celtic knots have become common in the United States and Canada. I hope you enjoy it! Join a growing community of people worldwide who enjoy Irish culture, design and craft. From these relatively simple shapes, a seemingly complex trefoil knot is formed, a knot that cannot be untied. By using this site you accept the use of cookies OK. Several Monks worked on the Book of Kells to craft the beautiful illuminations and illustrations. There are many different views/opinions about the meaning of Trinity Celtic symbol. In the Christian faith, the three points of the Trinity knot represent the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The three interlocking leaves of the Trinity Knot can be interpreted in several ways, with similar meanings relating back to strength and commitment. Throughout history of the Celtic Knot and its meaning have been an important part of Irish heritage and culture. During excavations of various archaeological sites from the Celtic era, a number of Trinity knot symbols have been found alongside solar and lunar symbols. Sometimes the Celtic Trinity Knot is shown with a circle in the design which emphasizes the meaning of unity and eternity, key principles of the Christian faith. The Celtic trinity knot, also known as a triquetra, is a three-pointed knot. I find much of it so interesting that I have to share what I find. The knot symbolizes eternal life with the Holy Trinity. Later as life became somewhat easier for the ancient Celts the trinity came to mean mind, body, spirit or past present and future. The trinity knot is also called a triquetra. The Trinity Knot. Necessary cookies help make a website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website. An increase in the demand for Celtic jewellery has occurred both in Ireland and abroad. - It can be given as a gift in order to convey a wish of longevity as it represents an uninterrupted life cycle. Trinity Knot In Ancient Celtic Art The recurrence this symbol suggests to some that the Trinity Knot had importance or meaning beyond just decoration. The elaborate Triquetra, also known as the Trinity Knot or Celtic Triangle, is one of the most beautiful Celtic symbols and it shows a circle interwoven with a continuous three-pointed symbol. According to early Christians, Celtic Trinity knot is associated with or viewed as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. By the 15th century, knotwork once again became seen as part of a political and cultural identity and symbols such as the Trinity knot once again began to adorn weapons and jewelry. Trinity Knots may draw on the Celtic significance of the three domains of Earth, Sea, and Sky. The Trinity knot consists of three corners, some designs also include the circle in the center. The knot pattern has three points, representing the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; that is, the Holy Trinity. Celtic Knots are interwoven with Irish cultural legacy. In Ireland and Britain, as well as North America, many people have used the symbol as a way of reconnecting with their Celtic heritage.. Trying to approximate the date of Celtic relics by the use of knotwork alone is difficult. The Celtic Trinity knot is also known by the name, ‘Triquetra’. At its most basic, the Celtic knot symbolizes the sign of the Cross. They adorn pages of ancient manuscripts such as the 8th Century Book of Kells. To the ancient Celtic mind, it may also signify the lunar or solar phases. The history and meaning of the trinity knot is often debated, especially since it holds meaning for both Christians and non-Christians alike. One very popular version of Celtic knot meaning is the Trinity knot. The iconic Celtic trinity symbol a.k.a. In Celtic society, there were roughly five reasons why anything was made: war armor, food vessels, personal accessory, horse or chariot decoration, or religious tools.