Deciphering the meaning of the Triskele or Triple Spiral

The Triskele or Triple Spiral symbol appears in many ancient cultures and is also visible in the astronomical calendar in Newgrange's megalithic tomb which dates back to 3200 BC. The symbol is often associated with ancient Celtic jewelry and culture but, in fact, it originates from a time before then.

The Triskele is a complex symbol and commonly labelled as one of the most convoluted for specialist symbolists to decipher as it is believed that it is has a number of different meanings and references from the ancient Celtic era.

So what exactly is the meaning of the Triskele or Tripal Spiral? 

The triskele symbol has varied and often diverse meanings in ancient Celtic culture but despite its complexity it still remains as one of the more prominent designs on contemporary Celtic jewelry such as Irish charms as well as Celtic knot jewelry and earrings.

In the pre-Christian era, the Triskele came to be associated with the Triple Goddess (maiden, mother, crone) and has been found in the manuscripts produced by monks who were tasked with transcribing texts and documents originating in the early Christian era.

Secondly and the more challenging area for symbolist experts to come to a conclusion on is the exact symbolic significance of the three arms of the triskele, which varies greatly depending on the era, culture, mythology and history, which is why there are so many variations as to what it means.

Meanings can vary from life-death-rebirth, spirit-mind-body, mother-father-child, past-present-future, power-intellect-love and creation-preservation-destruction to name but a few.