Celtic Symbols and their Meanings

The Celtic tribes first appeared some time during the Iron Age and spread quickly across the European continent, covering vast regions of Scotland, Ireland, Iberian Peninsula and Galatia. The ancient culture of the Celtic people developed in the post Iron Age era.

Major Celtic Symbols and Their Meanings

1. Triskelion
The triskelion, was a prominent Celtic symbol that represented the concept of completion and progress. The symbol looked like a three-legged wheel. There are basically two different components or meanings of the symbol.

• According to the first derivation of the meaning, the triskelion, represents actions, cycles, progress, revolution and competition. In all, the triskelion was a representation of a sense of advancement.
• The three legs or rather, the limbs of the triskelion often had several different meanings. The symbol was often used on armors, clothes, as a decorative pin for the clothes and also in jewelry. The meaning of the three legs, varied according to the person who was wearing it. Some of the prominent combinations of the meanings, are as follows: 'Spirit, Mind, Body', 'Father, Son, Holy Ghost', 'Mother, Father, Child', 'Past, Present, Future', 'Power, Intellect, Love', 'Creator, Destroyer, Sustainer' and 'Creation, Preservation, Destruction'.

2. Triquetra
The triquetra was a concept that was very parallel to the triskelion. The triquetra however, was not three-legged. It was a three-cornered figure that represented any three important aspects of life, like spirit, nature and beingness. The triquetra was basically used by the Celtic culture because it was said to emit cosmic vibrations. The triquetra was sometimes also represented by the symbol of three spirals.

3. Arwen
The arwen, also known as the symbol of three rays, was a symbol of the balance between male and female energy. The arwen, with three rays that were parallel to each other, was often used in jewelry. The first and last rays signified the powers of the 'male' and 'female' respectively. The middle ray signified the balance and equality of the other rays. Most of the experts of Celtic symbols and meanings, have interpreted that the arwen is a symbol that implies balance, between two opposing powers in the universe.

4. 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, or expansion of the consciousness, its perseverance and knowledge.

5. Five Fold
Like the arwen, the five fold symbol also represented a balance of the human nature. Many experts who have studied Celtic symbols and meanings, claim that this symbol represents the five basic elements of the universe, fire, water, sun, earth and air. Some experts however, believe that the middle fold is the universe, which is surrounded by fire, water, earth and air.

These symbols were present around the Celtic islands long before the nations of Scotland or Ireland came into existence. The use of nature, local animals, plants by the ancient Celtic tribes people still carry on today and are a reminder of their mystical, yet artistic culture.