Triskele

Neolithic triple spiral
Triskele from the Gallic helmet of Amfreville-sous-les-Monts
Triskel shape from Celtic art
Celtic triskelion made from three stylized bird heads

The triskele , also the or the triskel (from Greek τρισκελής triskelḗs , German 'three-legged' ), is a symbol in the form of three radially symmetrically arranged circular arcs, open spirals , nested triangles, knot patterns, human legs or other triple shapes.

Triskeled stone block, Newgrange

history

The first triskeles or their models are assigned to the Neolithic Age , for example the triple spiral in the megalithic complex of Newgrange in Ireland . The symbol is mainly known for its large and varied distribution in the Nordic ( Gotlandic picture stones , Runestone by Snoldelev ) and Celtic cultural areas. In addition, it can be found in almost all cultures of the world: from North Africa (especially Egypt) and the European Mediterranean region to Asia Minor (e.g. Lycia ) and East Asia (Korea, Japan e.g. Tomoe ) to the Gothic Architectural style of the late European Middle Ages ( Dreischneuss ). The triskele is the national or regional symbol of the Isle of Man , Brittany and Sicily . It shapes the city arms of Füssen and other communities.

The Three Hares Window in Paderborn Cathedral is a symbol of the Trinity interpreted

Triskele on a window in Sils , Engadin

meaning

Little is known about the original meaning of the triskel spirals. As with most spiral shapes, it is often assumed that they stand for the way of life or symbolically for the sun.

In today's interpretation, the "magic number" three , which is particularly important in Celtic mythology , plays a major role. Different relationships and sequences can be assumed:

Past , present and future
Birth , life and death
Body , mind and soul
Earth , water and air in the sense of the four-element theory
The triad of gods and / or goddesses
Mother , father , child
Generation sequence or age (for example: young girl, mother, old woman, according to the aspects of the triune goddess )
Trinity

Uses

architecture

In the Gothic style, triskele shapes are often used as filling for round windows or wheel windows .


^a	^b	^c	^d


^e	^f	^G

Jewellery

Today the triskele is used in Europe, for example, in the form of jewelry pendants, as a talisman to protect against misfortune and to avert evil or as a decorative tattoo motif.

heraldry

Triskelic arrangements are widely found in heraldry: For example, the coats of arms (see right: a) the municipality of Döhlau in Upper Franconia, (b) the city of Füssen in Allgäu, (c) the municipality of Süderbrarup in Schleswig-Holstein, (d) the local community Minheim an der Mosel and the national flags of (e) Sicily , (f) Ingushetia and the (g) Isle of Man of this symbol as the basis.

National Socialism and Volkish Organizations


^a	^b

The triskele formed - as a variant of the swastika - (a) the symbol of the 27th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division "Langemarck" . The triskele was later used as a symbol by some ethnic organizations, such as B. (b) of the neo-Nazi South African Boer organization Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging and the neo - network Blood and Honor .

BDSM, sadomasochism


^a	^b

Triskeles symbolize the distribution of roles within BDSM ( top, bottom , switch ). In addition, they often serve as (a) identifiers. This function is also fulfilled by the triskeled (b) ring of the O from the novel History of O by Pauline Réage . He was portrayed in the novel as follows:

" The man now held out a wooden chain with all the same rings and asked her to choose a ring that would fit her left ring finger. They were strange iron rings, edged with gold on the inside; the wide, heavy ring, similar to the setting of a signet ring, but high domed, carried a gold wheel with three spokes, which were curved in a spiral, like the sun wheel of the Celts , in niello work . "