Triangle (symbol)

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The triangle is often found among the graphic symbols - especially as an equilateral triangle . The symbol serves as a carrier for very different terms.

Triangle above the altar of the church in Ballum Sogn , Denmark

religion

In Christian art, the equilateral, more rarely the isosceles triangle, was mostly used as a geometric symbol for the Trinity . Christian iconography has linked it since the 17th century with the symbol of the all-seeing eye of God , which it adopted from the Jewish Kabbalah , or with the biblical name of God YHWH . Some Christian theologians such as the humanist Nikolaus von Kues (1401–1464) have used an equilateral triangle as a symbol for the infinity of the Triune God and interpreted it speculatively.

In Zurvanism it stands for an almighty God who stands above the two gods of dualistic Zoroastrianism . Similar to the “eye of prophecy”, Zurvan is symbolized by a triangle that visualizes the past, present and future.

On some paintings - e.g. B. Kersting's Apollo with the hours - the triangle serves as a kind of halo . With the Freemasons it symbolizes a creator god or the logos .

In the Star of David , the hexagram symbol of Judaism and the people of Israel, the two interlocking triangles signify the relationship between God and man. The life given by God (triangle pointing downwards) will return to the Creator (triangle pointing upwards); the 12 corners of the star also symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel.

In Hinduism , the triangle is also an attribute of Vishnu and stands for the goddess Lakshmi .

Ideological symbols

The Nordic symbol of the Valknut consists of two or three intertwined triangles. It is related to battle, death, and sacrificial scenes.

Right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis also use the Valknut as an ideological symbol of their worldview. Under National Socialism , prisoners in concentration camps were marked with a triangle.

Math symbols

• ${\displaystyle \triangle ABC}$denotes a geometric triangle with corner points , and ${\displaystyle A}$ ${\displaystyle B}$ ${\displaystyle C}$
• In mathematics, Δ (Greek letter Delta ) stands for difference ( subtraction ) and the Laplace operator
• ∇ ( Nabla ), also mathematical symbol for Nabla operator .
• ${\displaystyle \triangle }$Link symbol for the symmetrical difference of quantities.
• In geodesy and on maps , a small triangle stands for a precisely measured trigonometric point . ${\displaystyle \triangle }$
• In sign theories, triangles illustrate special three-digit relations, similar to the semiotic triangle.

Other symbols

• As a traffic sign .
• In graphics or on flags, the triangle sometimes stands for a striking mountain - for example in the coat of arms of Cameroon - but also for peace ( flag of Zimbabwe ) or for equality (e.g. in the coat of arms of Nicaragua )
• Triangle flag symbol for a liberation struggle (e.g. Eritrea and East Timor) or for Arab resistance ( flag of Jordan and Yemen )
• The triskele (three running legs) is also based on an equilateral triangle and is an ancient symbol for the sun or the path of life. You can find it e.g. B. in the flag of Sicily .
• In weather maps : a series of small blue triangles for a cold front
• In Great Britain, particularly good products are marked with a red triangle.
• In Poland , an equilateral triangular surface standing on its tip is the symbol for the men's room (since 1928), a circular surface for the women's room.
• In electrical engineering, dimmers are symbolized by a horizontal filled triangle with one or two letters.
• ⏵: Play symbol, used internationally, playing sound carriers or audio files on technical devices

See also

• Semiotic triangle
• Triqueta

Individual evidence

1. ^ Reallexikon zur Deutschen Kunstgeschichte Volume 4 , Column 415/416; Engelbert Kirschbaum (Ed.): Lexicon of Christian Iconography. Herder, Rome 1994, ISBN 3451225689 , volume 1, column 525
2. ↑ Michael Stolleis: The eye of the law. Materials for a modern metaphor. In: Lothar Gall (Hrsg.): Jahrbuch des Historisches Kollegs 2001 , Oldenbourg, Munich 2002, ISBN 9783486566413 , p. 20
3. ^ Andreas Link: Augspurgisches Jerusalem: Citizens, Artists, Pastors: Evangelical Baroque Painting. Deutscher Kunstverlag, 2009, ISBN 3422068678 , p. 352
4. ↑ Thomas Schumacher: Trinity for the interpretation of a structural element of Cusan thought. Herbert Utz, 1997, ISBN 3896752448 , p. 113 ff.
5. ↑ Right black triangle / play sign | ▶ | ZEICHEN.TV. Accessed October 7, 2018 (German).