Triquetra Meaning, Symbolism + Celtic Trinity Knot History

The Triquetra symbol, which means ‘three-cornered’ in Latin, is also known as the Trinity Knot.

Although it holds different meanings across several religions, the power of three is a central theme, represented by the symbol’s interconnected design with its three arcs.

Arguably best-known for its appearance in the ancient Book of Kells, the Celtic Trinity Knot has also been found carved onto stones in many parts of Northern Europe.

About the Trinity Knot / Triquetra

Before we look at the Trinity Knot meanings and it’s history, take 20 seconds to read the points below as they’ll get you up-to-speed quickly:

1. What it is

The Triquetra is one of a large number of Celtic symbols that were used by the Celts, an Indo-European people that were defined by their use of Celtic languages. It is one of many Celtic Knots that can be found across the globe.

2. What it means

The Triquetra is revered for its three interlocking arcs and the symbol has different meanings depending on the interpreter: for Celts, the life cycle (life, death, rebirth); for Wiccans, the triple goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone); for Pagans, the three realms (land, sea, sky); and for Christians, a means to convey the Holy Trinity.

3. Where it originated

The Triquetra symbol is old, but like many ancient symbols, its exact origin is unknown. Although widely debated, it’s generally accepted that the symbol is at least 5,000 years old. It’s not unique to Celtic culture either, with examples of the Triquetra being found across the globe, dating back to the 4th century BC.

4. The Design

The Triquetra symbol is created with one interconnecting and never-ending line that forms three pointed arcs. The central arc points up, while the other two sit on either side of it, pointing down and to the sides. It’s made from one continuous, ever-flowing line, which may represent eternity or infinity.

5. Triquetra vs Trinity knot

There’s no difference between the Triquetra and the trinity knot—they’re simply different names for the same three-cornered symbol. ‘Triquetra’ is the Latin term used historically, while ‘trinity knot’ highlights its Christian association with the Holy Trinity, especially in Ireland.

The Triquetra meaning and symbolism

Many assume that the Celtic Trinity Knot is all about the Holy Trinity (hence the St. Patrick references in some articles), however, the Triquetra meaning varies greatly depending on the group using it

Remember, this is an ancient symbol that predates Christianity by hundreds of years.

1. Meaning for Celts

The Celts revered the number three, believing that everything of importance came in threes.

For them, the Triquetra’s three arcs symbolised the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, with the endlessly looping pattern representing eternity.

This may be backed up by the importance the group placed in the ancient oak tree (see the Tree of Life), which symbolised all of the above.

2. Symbolism for Wiccans

To this day you’ll find many people with deep Irish roots talking about the Triquetra representing, not the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone.

This relates to the nature of the ancient Celtic Goddess; the mother represents creation, the maiden represents innocence, and the crone symbolises wisdom.

3. Meaning for Pagans

Some believe that the three arcs mirror the three domains of earth; land, sea, and sky.

One of my favourite takes on it is that the Triquetra symbolises the body, mind, and spirit, bound together to form the soul.

If you look up the Serch Bythol symbol you’ll see how this symbolism can be expanded on in other designs, which is why it is one of the more popular Celtic family symbols.

4. Its use by Christians

The Triquetra meaning for Christians was simple – it was a tool for teaching the ways of Christianity and the Holy Trinity.

It would’ve been easy enough to work with something familiar to teach new lessons of faith.

In fact, versions of the Triquetra meaning from the Celtic Christianity period formed the sign of the fish, a symbol synonymous with Christianity.

The History of the Triquetra symbol

Now that you have an understanding of the Triquetra meaning, it’s time to look at the symbol’s rich history.

As mentioned earlier, the origins of the Triquetra remain unknown, though it’s believed to date back as far as the 4th century BC.

While often associated with Celtic culture, the symbol predates it and has appeared across diverse cultures throughout history.

Early days

Symbols bearing three arcs, such as the Celtic Trinity Knot and the Triskelion, first became widespread around the 4th century BC.

Early examples have been found adorning ornamental ceramics from Persia and Anatolia, as well as on Ancient Greek/Lycian coins.

However, the very earliest Celtic Trinity Knots go back much further than that, with stone carvings depicting the Triskelion dating back to 3200 BC.

Since the 4th century BC, the Triquetra has been found on Scandinavian rune stones and Germanic coins. But it wasn’t until the 8th century AD that it became widespread among the Celts in Ireland and Britain.

Use in Insular Art

Insular art refers to artwork produced in Ireland and Britain during the post-Roman era. It’s largely characterised by Celtic interlace patterns and knots.

Early examples date back to the 7th century, but the style really kicked off a century later and continued until around the 12th century in Ireland.

Insular art was mainly found in metalwork, such as brooches and decorative goblets, illuminated manuscripts, and carved into stone slabs and Celtic Crosses.

One of the best examples of insular art is the unfinished Book of Kells, which features the Triquetra regularly.

Around this time, the Celtic Triquetra was also frequently used on coins in Britain and Ireland.

Where the Trinity symbol can be found

The Celtic Triquetra first appeared in insular art around the 7th century, famously in the Book of Kells, but also carved into Celtic Crosses and holy buildings and monuments.

While the knot in the image above, grown into a forest in County Sligo in Ireland, is from recent history, there are many ancient examples across the world.

Cahir Abbey (Ireland)

Cahir Abbey is a medieval Augustinian monastery located in County Tipperary that was founded in the late 12th century.

The Abbey is known for its well-preserved ruins and tranquil riverside setting.

It’s in the tower’s doorway that you’ll find a wonderful example of the Triquetra symbol.

Uppsala (Sweden)

The Funbo runestones can be found on the grounds of Uppsala University in Sweden.

This is a group of four runestones that date to the 11th century.

Aa you can see, the Trinity Knot is carved into the stone.

Galicia (Spain)

The Carolingian Cross above can be found on the church of Santa Susanna in Galicia where it dates to the 11th/12th century.

The cross features four Triquetras that form a cross, blending both Christian and pagan symbolism.

In this instance, the Triquetra meaning is clear – the Holy Trinity.

Modern usage and recent designs

The popularity of the Triquetra hasn’t waned after all these many thousands of years.

In fact, it’s seen a surge in popularity recently, becoming a common choice for logos, artwork, tattoos, and jewellery.

In Celtic mythology

The Trinity Knot is strongly associated with the Morrigan Goddess from Celtic folklore.

She was a triple goddess (a deity with three forms) who was mainly associated with war battle, fate and death.

In popular culture

The Triquetra has made an appearance on album covers (Led Zeppelin IV), movies (the hammer in Thor), and TV shows (it frequently pops up in Charmed and more recently the German Netflix series “Dark”).

You’ll also see it used as a Celtic symbol for friendship, a sisterhood symbol and as a brotherhood symbol, too.

Beware of tattoos and jewellery 

Variations of the Triquetra can be found in both tattoo and jewellery designs online.

Many of these designs are modern creations and, despite some website claims, lack ancient origins.

A relatively modern take on the Celtic Triquetra symbol has it entwined with a love heart, symbolising love (see the Celtic Love Knot for more).

FAQs about the Celtic Triquetra

I’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Where does the Trinity Symbol come from?’ to ‘What is the Trinity Knot meaning?’.

In the section below, I’ve popped in the most FAQs. If you have a question that I haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.