Triquetra

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Close-up of a triquetra on one of the Funbo Runestones.

Triquetra (IPA: [tɹaɪ'kwεtɹə]) is a word derived from the Latin tri- ("three") and quetrus ("cornered"). Its original meaning was simply "triangle" and it has been used to refer to various three-cornered shapes. Nowadays, it has come to refer exclusively to a certain more complicated shape formed of three vesicae piscis, sometimes with an added circle in or around it.

1 Resemblance to valknut
2 Celtic art
3 Christian use
4 Modern use
- 4.1 Neopaganism
- 4.2 In popular culture
5 Geometry
6 Gallery of variant forms
7 See also
8 External links
9 References

The triquetra has been found on runestones in northern Europe, and upon early Scandinavian coins. It presumably had pagan religious meaning, and it bears a resemblance to the Odin Knot or Valknut. Some have suggested that, like the valknut, triquetrae may have been a symbol of Odin.

The triquetra is often found in Insular art, most notably metal work and in illuminated manuscripts like the Book of Kells. While it is uncertain what the symbol may have meant to the Celts, it is often found as a design element in larger drawings of triskeles or triple spirals.

The symbol was later used by Christians as a symbol of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). This appropriation was particularly easy because the triquetra conveniently incorporated three shapes that could be interpreted as Christian Ιχθυς symbols.

A triquetra design on cover of replica of the Book of Shadows from the Charmed television series.

Modern Neopagans use the triquetra to symbolize a variety of personal and traditional beliefs. Germanic Neopagan and Heathen groups who use the triquetra to symbolize their faith generally believe it is originally of Norse and Germanic origins. Celtic Reconstructionist Pagans use the triquetra either to represent one of the various triplicities in their cosmology and theology (such as the tripartite division of the world into the realms of Land, Sea and Sky), or as a symbol of one of the specific triple Goddesses, most notably the Morrígan. It is also sometimes used by Wiccans and some New Agers to symbolize either the Wiccan triple goddess or the triplicities of mind, body, and soul.

The symbol has become especially popular due to its use on the cover of the "Book of Shadows" used by the three sisters on the American TV show Charmed. It is also one of the four symbols on the cover of the Led Zeppelin album, Led Zeppelin IV, where it represented bassist John Paul Jones. The band Payable on Death (P.O.D.) also uses this symbol on most of their CD covers. In Switchfoot's music video for the song "We Are One Tonight", the symbol was prominently tattooed on an actor's back. The triquetra is used as a symbol to represent the Trinity on The New King James Version Bibles, published by Thomas Nelson, Inc. The symbol is also seen on the cover of the Dungeons & Dragons game, Forgotten Realms Campaign. It has recently been adopted as the new logo of the Ontario New Democratic Party in Canada. In the MMORPG Maple Story, a Triquetra is engraved upon the Boss Monster Zakum's bottom two arms (Arms 7 and 8).

It is often used artistically as a design element when Celtic knotwork is used, and many who identify as Modern Celts may use the symbol as an identification with Celtic culture, whether they live in the Celtic Nations or the diaspora.

Topologically, the interlaced form of the plain triquetra is a trefoil knot.

Triquetra in blue as part of an interlaced Christian Trinitarian decorative symbol.	Triquetra composed exactly of three overlapping Vesica piscis symbols.	Tightly-knotted form of triquetra.	An interlaced double Triquetra.
Triquetra interlaced with circle as Christian Trinitarian symbol (a "Trinity knot").	The cross of triquetras or Carolingian Cross.	Triquetra on one of the Funbo Runestones, located in the park of Uppsala university.