Celtic Symbols and their Meanings

Article by http://tattoosymbolism.blogspot.com/2012/03/celtic-knot-tattoo-symbolism.html


Mandalas

Steadying of mind, Observing the soul, Reestablishing balance, Grounding ourselves, Intuitive channel, Understanding our ancestral origin


The Celtic knot mandala enables us to see how our decisions have affected our lives, and those lives around us. Further, we are able to visualize how our lives are interconnected with those of our ancestors.  

Triskelion Meaning as a Celtic Symbol

The triskelion Celtic symbol meaning deals with competition and man's progress. The Greek term triskelion literally means "three-legged," this sign looks very much like three legs running.

The triskelion, represents actions, cycles, progress, revolution and competition. In all, the triskelion was a representation of a sense of advancement.

First Component:
When we observe this symbol, we are taken with the concept of motion. All three legs are positioned in such a way that makes the symbol look as if it is in constant forward motion.

This feeling of motion represents:
action
cycles
progress
revolution
competition
moving forward

Second Component:
The three legs have significant symbolic importance. Various representations of the three protrusions found in the triskelion include:
- Spirit, Mind, Body
- Father, Son, Holy Ghost 
- Mother, Father, Child
- Past, Present, Future
- Power, Intellect, Love
- Creator, Destroyer, Sustainer
- Creation, Preservation, Destruction

The combination of these two components (motion and triad attributes) tells a story of forward motion in the endeavor to reach understanding.

This Celtic symbols can also represent the three Celtic worlds:
The Otherworld: Where spirits, gods and goddesses live. 
The Mortal World: Where you and I live along with plants and animals. 
The Celestial World: Where unseen energies live and move about. Like the forces of sun, moon, wind and water.

      

Also the number three is a powerful energy for infinite reasons. One such representation of number three deals with the three primary measure-marks within the phases of the moon (new, half, full).

When we add lunar implications to the meaning of the triskelion we are dealing with:
mystery
feminine
intuition
subtleness
subconscious
spirituality
illumination
hidden desire

In short, the sum of this Celtic symbol meaning is:
personal growth
human development
spiritual expansion

Single Spiral: 

The single spiral is one of the most common symbols of the Celtic culture. 

The spiral was actually the figure that had the spiral folds of the same line. This symbol stood for the radiation of ethereal energy. There are however many different meanings of the single spiral. 

Some of the most prominent ones are:

birth, growth and death

expansion of the consciousness, its perseverance and knowledge.

HEART KNOT:

 Heart knots are a rather recent addition to Celtic symbolism. 

Hearts as symbols of "love" date from the later medieval period, and have become an established part of the modern Celtic repertoire in 20th century

TWIN SPIRALS: 

The dual centered spiral Celtic symbol is said to be similar to that of the Chinese ying and yang.

 It is said to symbolize the positive and the negative sides of nature and therefore promotes balance.

Trinity (Triquetra) Celtic Knot

The Trinity Knot (often called the love knot)  consists of three points that are interconnected in a triangle. It symbolizes the growth of the spirit, life that is eternal, and love that never ends.


Early Christian understanding views the symbols as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pagans see the trinity knot as the drawing of the three inherent feminine powers: Mother, Crone, and Maiden.

Another understanding can be found in a more metaphysical area where the three corners represent mind, body and spirit.

• Other Meanings are:
• Past, Present, Future
• Power, Intellect, Love
• Creator, Destroyer, Sustainer
• Creation, Preservation, Destruction
• Thought, Feeling, Emotion
• • • Other world, Mortal world, Celestial world

The circle often seen around a triquetra signifies the infinite and eternity. It also represents protection. 

Circles are often drawn around Celtic knots to represent spiritual unity with the devine – a connection that  cannot be broken.