Trinity Knot (Triquetra) Meaning and History
The trinity knot, also called the triquetra, is a three-pointed shape drawn with one unbroken line. Many people link it to the Christian Trinity, to past, present and future, or to body, mind and spirit. The history is older than those readings, and the original meaning is unknown.
This guide explains what the evidence shows and which meanings are modern.
What is the trinity knot?
The word triquetra comes from Latin and means “three-cornered”. The shape has three arcs that overlap. Often a circle runs through the arcs to tie them together.
Artists in Ireland and Britain used the triquetra widely from about the 7th century. It appears on metalwork, on early Christian high crosses and in manuscripts such as the Book of Kells. Because the line weaves over and under itself, it also belongs to the wider tradition of the Celtic knot.
How old is it?
Three-arc figures are much older than the Celtic world. They appear on pottery from Anatolia and Persia from about the 4th century BC. The triquetra itself turns up in many places and periods, which means it was never only Celtic.
- About the 7th century: the shape is common in Insular art, which means the art of early medieval Ireland and Britain.
- About 710 to 760: it appears now and then on Anglo-Saxon silver coins called sceattas.
- The 11th century: Norse carvers used it on the Funbo runestones, and a Norwegian penny of King Harald Hardrada carried it.
What does it mean?
The most common meaning today is the Christian Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That reading is old in spirit, yet it became widespread mainly after the 19th-century Celtic Revival. One of the earliest references is George Petrie’s book of 1845. In 1905, the scholar J. Romilly Allen doubted the Trinity reading, so even specialists have disagreed.
Other readings are modern too. Some people see three stages of life, three realms such as land, sea and sky, or the triple nature of a goddess. Modern pagans, Wiccans and many others use the symbol in these ways. We cannot prove that the first artists meant any of them, so we call all of these interpretations rather than facts.
Why is it popular on jewellery?
The knot works well because the meaning is easy to explain. Three parts joined by one line say that separate things belong together. That makes the trinity knot a good choice for a wedding band, a family gift or a christening present.
The design also looks balanced. It sits well on a small pendant, a stud earring or a slim band, and it combines easily with other symbols. Many Claddagh rings add a trinity knot to the shank, as our guide to the meaning of the Claddagh ring mentions.
Trinity knot or valknut?
The triquetra looks a little like the valknut, a Norse design of three interlocking triangles. The two are different symbols from different traditions. If a piece shows three separate triangles, it is not a triquetra.
Choosing a trinity knot piece
Pick the metal first, because it sets the price and the care. Sterling silver is the usual choice, while gold costs more and does not tarnish in the same way. Our guide to gold and silver Claddagh rings covers the trade-offs, and the same points apply to any ring. If you are thinking of a Claddagh ring with a trinity knot shank, our advice on how to wear a Claddagh ring may help. For men’s styles, see choosing a Claddagh ring for men.
Before you buy
Measure your finger with our ring size guide, and read the jewellery care guide to keep silver bright. The delivery and returns page sets out the terms for when the shop opens. For more symbols, see the Celtic symbols guide and the Claddagh ring history guide.
Sources
- trinity knot
- triquetra
- Celtic symbols