Triquetra?

[MystyPines]

Just wondering what everyone believes the meaning of the symbol called the Triquetra, seen on the popular WB series called CHARMED. Where did it originate from? I have heard some Christians say it is a Christian symbol that has been found on certain christian writings and churches symbolizing the Trinity-Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Is this symbol Pagan or Christian? :D

[eaglewolf]

Heck if I know... I thought they were bones in your wrist.

I know the word originates from Latin... if that helps any.

~ew

[loopy]

After wading through the Charmed sites that came up, here's what I found:

From http://www.ats.neu.edu/c.johnson/triquetra.html

This symbol, or something very similar, is used is many places, by many cultures, for many purposes. It has many forms. In Celtic symbology it can be three intersecting arcs. with and without a circle in it, or a similarly shaped set of parallel lines. Norse symbology has something called the Odin Knot which is almost identical to the three intersecting arcs the Celts used. The symbol, and it's many variations, seems to represent three elements as a unity or three pieces of a whole. It has been used by Pagan religions, in modern Wiccan practice, and may have been borrowed by the early Christians, who often borrowed heavily from other religions of the day, although no one is certain. An inverted version of the triquetra consisting of the circumference of three intersecting circles has been known to be found in Indian carvings as old as 5000 years. Verification on this one is still pending but rumor has it the triquetra has also been used to represent protection.

One of the more recent incarnations of this symbol is in the WB television series Charmed where it appears on the cover of the three sisters’ Book of Shadows or grimoire. This is a book of spells and wisdom written over generations and invaluable to the three sister witches who’s traditional and hereditary job it is to protect the inocent. And yep, I'm a fan.


The three sisters’ job of protecting the inocent is actually similar to part of my job which is to harden, from a security standpoint, the systems I run, This does involve a certain amount of magic, witchcraft, sorcery, and wizardry given that computer and network security is still something of an arcane art. It mostly involves white magic but requires knowledge of the blacker arts in order to know what to defend against and how to do it. Like the charmed ones in the series, I’m pretty good. The difference is I do it for real.

from http://members.nbci.com/christiansym/cs/triquetra.htm

By the Middle Ages, the three interwoven arcs of the triquetra had come to serve as a beautiful symbol of the Trinity … the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Identical in nature, each arc expresses the equality of the Trinity. The continuous form of this symbol also shows the unity and eternal nature of the Divine God-head.

from http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/homeofcd/triquetra.html

TRIQUETRA: A CELTIC TYRONE KNOT This design is a triquetra formed by two interwoven parallel lines. The two parallel lines are used to represent one individual's life and his or her relationship to a loved one, interwoven yet separate. Each triquetra also represents the forces of nature: earth, air and water. Later the triquetra was interpreted as the Holy Trinity. The interwoven lines promote strength of friendship and love. It is found on the Donaghmore Cross. Co. Tyrone.

[Rick]

I thought it was a boat propeller... :D

[Rævyn Cigány]

Originally posted by Rick
I thought it was a boat propeller... :D



*slaps Rick around a bit with a very large trout*

GOOFBALL!!! :eek: ;) :D

BB

Rae )0(

[loopy]

Originally posted by Rævyn Cigány


*slaps Rick around a bit with a very large trout*

GOOFBALL!!! :eek: ;) :D

BB

Rae )0(

Aw, poor trout. :( Just minding his own business...

[Wyrdsister]

Thanks for this info, loopy! I'd always wondered about that symbol.

And Rae! Go easy on the trout!! :p :)

heehee,

Wyrdsister