- Triskelion
A triskelion or triskele (both from the Greek _gr. "τρισκέλιον" or _gr. "τρισκελής", for "three-legged") is a
symbol consisting of three interlocked spirals, or three bent human legs, or any similar symbol with three protrusions and a threefoldrotational symmetry .A triskelion is the symbol of
Brittany , as well as theIsle of Man andSicily (where it is called "Trisceli"). The Manx and Sicilian triskelions feature three running legs, bent at the knee and conjoined at thecrotch . Spiral forms of the triskele are often classed assolar symbol s,Fact|date=October 2007 while the legged version, sometimes including agorgon mask orMedusa 's head at the central axle point in the Sicilian version, suggests achthonic significance.Fact|date=October 2007Origins
The triskelion symbol appears in many early cultures, including on Mycenaean vessels, on coinage in
Lycia , and on staters ofPamphylia (atAspendos , 370–333 BC) andPisidia .Fact|date=October 2007 A symbol of four conjoined legs, a tetraskelion, is also known in Anatolia.Celt ic influences inAnatolia , epitomized by theGaul s who invaded and settledGalatia , are especially noted by those who theorize a Celtic origin for the triskelion.Who|date=October 2007Manx triskelion
In the symbol for the
Isle of Man , which is located in theIrish Sea , the "three legsembowed " of the heraldic triskelion are represented in armour, "spurred and garnished "or" (gold)."On Manx banknotes, the triskelion appears within a rim containing the
Latin inscription _la. "QUOCUNQUE JECERIS STABIT" ("Wherever you throw it, it stands"). The Manx triskelion is documented since the thirteenth or fourteenth century at the latest, and is alternatively known in theManx language as the _gv. "tre cassyn" ("three legs"). The symbol appears on the Isle of Man's ancient Sword of State, which may have belonged to Olaf Godredson, who became King of the Sudreys (SouthernHebrides and the Isle of Man) in 1226.Kneeling
clockwise is the correct symbol as it is said that bent or kneeling in an anticlockwise fashion signifies aggression in heraldry (seeSwastika ).Fact|date=October 2007 However, many Manx churches and even theLaxey Wheel ("Lady Isabella") inLaxey show the anticlockwise version.icilian triskelion
Familiar as an ancient symbol of
Sicily , the triskelion is also featured on Greek coins of Syracuse, such as coins ofAgathocles (317-289 BCE). In Sicily, the first inhabitants mentioned in history are the tribes of theSicani (Greek "Sikanoi") and theSicels (Greek "Sikeloi"), who have given Sicily its more familiar modern name. The triskelion was revived, as a neoclassic—and non-Bourbon—emblem for the new Napoleonic Kingdom of theTwo Sicilies , byJoachim Murat in 1808.The symbol dates back to when Sicily was part of
Magna Graecia , the colonial extension ofGreece beyond the Aegean.Matthews, Jeff (2005) [http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~jmatthew/naples/symbols.htm Symbols of Naples] ]Pliny the Elder attributes the origin of the triskelion of Sicily to the triangular form of the island, the ancient "Trinacria ", which consists of three large capes equidistant from each other, pointing in their respective directions, the names of which were Pelorus, Pachynus, and Lilybæum.The three legs of the triskelion are also reminiscent of
Hephaestus 's three-legged tables that ran by themselves, as mentioned in "Iliad " xviii::"At the moment Hephaestus was busily:Turning from bellows to bellows, sweating with toil:As he laboured to finish a score of three-legged tables:To stand around the sides of his firm-founded hall. On each:Of the legs he had put a gold wheel, that those magic tables:Might cause all to marvel by going with no other help:To the gathering of gods and by likewise returning to his house."
Celtic / Gaelic Triscele
The triscele has been used since ancient times in Celtic culture to symbolize the cycle of life. It has also been a symbol for the trinity since post-pagan times and medieval times in Scotland, Ireland and parts of England and Wales. As with many of the pagan myths and stories that changed during this time period so did the pagan symbols that were once part of the culture in an effort to convert the entirety of celtic culture to Christianity. The triscele also was a symbol for the three goddesses of Celtic mythology Fact|date=August 2008 (also found in Greek mythology). There is also some debate if it came to be a symbol for wise men, leaders, scholars and people of the arts among the druids an ancients celts alike. Origins of this can be found in Brigid daughter of Dagda (Brigid is one of the three goddesses). When looking at the symbol it is clear to see that spirals move inward therefore also being cited that each spiral symbolizes strength, honor & fortitude.
piral triskele
The Celtic symbol of three conjoined spirals may have had triple significance similar to the imagery that lies behind the triskelion. The triple spiral motif is a
Neolithic symbol in Western Europe. It is carved into the rock of a stone lozenge near the main entrance of the prehistoricNewgrange monument inCounty Meath , Ireland. A variant of the symbol is also found, carved into the wall in the inner chamber of the passage tomb. Because of itsCelt ic associations, it is also used as a symbol ofBrittany (alongside the "hermine").In the north of
Spain , the triskelion is used as a symbol of Galizan and Asturian nationalists. A similar symbol called "lábaro " byCantabria n regionalist can be compared to the neighboring Basque culture's four-branchedlauburu .A possibly related symbol of Germanic origin is the
valknut , and the Celtic and Germanictriquetra .Third Reich
The Third Reich adopted a variation on the triskelion as the insignia for a
Waffen-SS division composed of Belgian volunteers.Modern uses
Reconstructionists and Neopagans
The triskele, usually consisting of spirals, but also the "horned triskelion", is used by some Polytheistic Reconstructionist and Neopagan groups. As a Celtic symbol, it is found primarily of groups with a Celtic cultural orientation and, less frequently, can also be found in use by some Germanic Neopagan groups and eclectic or syncretic traditions such as
Wicca . The spiral triskele is one of the primary symbols ofCeltic Reconstructionist Paganism .Bonewits, Isaac (2006) "Bonewits's Essential Guide to Druidism". New York, Kensington Publishing Group ISBN 0-8065-2710-2. p.132: [Among Celtic Reconstructionists] "..."An Thríbhís Mhòr" (the great triple spiral) came into common use to refer to the three realms." Also p. 134: [On CRs] "Using Celtic symbols such as triskeles and spirals"] Celtic Reconstructionists use the symbol to represent a variety of triplicities in their cosmology and theology; it is also a favored symbol due to its association with the godManannán mac Lir . Wicca is syncretic in nature and often aesthetically adopts symbolism from various cultures, particularly Celtic symbolism. It is less commonly used amongst Germanic Neopagan groups due to the non-Germanic origins of the symbol; use by Germanic groups may be due to confusion or association withNorse symbols with triple symmetries, like the Valknut, the Triquetra, or the symbol found on theSnoldelev Stone .BDSM
A form of the triskelion has been proposed as a
BDSM Emblem by someBDSM groups, partly based on a description in the "Story of O ". The specific emblem design is meant to be shown with metallic spokes and circle, and three holes (not dots) within the design.Political groups
The
South Africa n white supremacist paramilitary group, theAfrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB), have used a flag consisting of a red background with a white circle. In the circle, three black sevens form a design distantly reminiscent of the triskelion. In spite of the similarities to the swastika (and the overall resemblance to the Nazi flag, both having a black symbol on a white disc on a red background), they claim their flag is inspired by a Biblical meaning of the seven, and the fact that the organisation was founded on the seventh day of the seventh month, 1973 (from which the three 7's can be extracted)Gallery of triskeles
Other uses
*A triskelion is shown on the seals of both
Tau Gamma Phi andTau Gamma Sigma , a Fraternity and Sorority founded at theUniversity of the Philippines, Diliman inQuezon City ,Philippines . A member is called a Triskelion, hence the name the Triskelion Grand Fraternity and Sorority. The triskelion is accompanied by the motto "FORTIS VOLUNTAS FRATERNITAS/SORORITAS" (Strength, Freewill and Brotherhood/Sisterhood) on their seals.
*A triskelion shape is the basis for theroundel of theIrish Air Corps (unique among air force roundels). It is loosely based on theFlag of Ireland and traditional Celtic triskele boss designs.
*A triskelion pattern forms part of theUnited States Department of Transportation . The three spirals represent air, land, and sea transportation. The seal was adopted onFebruary 1 ,1967 .
*Afractal version of the triskelion, consisting of a large blue-silver raised dot with three curved arms of similar dots around it, is a major motif of the 2005 TV series Threshold. It is the symbol of the aliens who invade Earth.
* A three-colored, slightly asymmetrical triskelon is the most common symbol of theKlingon s from theStar Trek franchise since their first appearance in the original series. Its meaning within the context of the Star Trek universe has never been explained.
* An episode ofStar Trek , The Gamesters of Triskelion, takes place on the alien planet of Triskelion.
*Triskelion is the name of theGay–straight alliance (GSA) atBrandeis University , one of the oldest such organizations on the East Coast. It was named for the Star Trek episode.
*These symbols are also used in the crest of certain families that reside in the British isles, such as Murray.
*Triskellion is also a card found in the game of "Magic: the Gathering." It depicts a creature that has three arms (later legs) that can be fired off for a single damage each, accurately capturing the meaning of the word.Naturally occurring triskelions
*
Clathrin , a protein involved in the formation of endocytic vesicles in most cells, has a triskelion shape.ee also
*
Fylfot
*Taegeuk
*Tomoe
*Gankyil References
External links
* [http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/16/1632.html Triskelion] at symbols.com
* [http://www.symbols.com/encyclopedia/14/1419.html Triple spiral] at symbols.com
* [http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/manxnb/v05p001.htm John Newton, "Armorial bearings of the Isle of Mann," in "Manx Notebook", January 1886]
* [http://www.pjsymes.com.au/articles/triskelion.htm Peter Symes, "The Isle of Man and the Triskelion"]
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