The triskelion is a powerful symbol that remains popular with tattoo lovers on every continent, despite being central to Celtic beliefs and pre-Christian religions. The triskelion symbol – a trio of interlocked spirals radiating out from a central point – is associated with concepts of continuous motion and movement; life, death, rebirth, and eternal life; the mind, body, and spirit; and the past, present, and future. These days the Ancient Celtic symbol is also used in tribal tattoo designs by the tattoo enthusiast looking for ink with symbolic meanings tied to their heritage. The following article details the triskelion tattoo design’s deep meaning in relation to other images from Celtic mythology, while also examining popular ways body art lovers create individually different Celtic tattoos.
- Triskelion Tattoo Meaning Source: @connorbrookstattoos via Instagram The different concepts you can ascribe to triskelion tattoo art are wide and varied and are generally based on what the subject most relates to, for that particular tattoo enthusiast. Interpretations of the triskelion symbol include:
The spiritual meaning of life, death, and rebirth (eternal life) The mind, body, and spirit The past, present, and future Principles of numerology Continuous motion (like time and tides)
It’s a popular tattoo design idea surrounding concepts and symbols that revolve around three objects, ideas, or states, and is known as well for its aesthetic beauty as part of geometric iconography. 2. The Triskele in Ancient Culture Source: @blacksparrowsanse via Instagram The word triskelion comes from the Greek language and means “three-legged,” but the symbol of three interlocking spirals moving outward from a center point is much older than that recorded in language. The triskele is most commonly associated with Celtic culture, but the image is widespread amongst the ancient tribes of Europe. It was likely used and adopted by “civilized” trading societies such as the Greeks, Romans, and Persians, and then made even more popular during the time of Norse raiders and traders during the early part of the Middle Ages. 3. Ancient Celtic Symbol Source: @skinkiller_tattoo_gr via Instagram The triskele, or triple spiral, is perhaps the oldest Celtic symbol. To the ancient Celts, the symbol had a lot of meanings involving nature and held great spiritual meaning within the various pagan religions. Triskelion Celtic art, sculpture, and tattoo have largely kept its mystique as an ancient symbol, being linked with the mind, body, and spirit, or more basic interpretations of life, death, and rebirth. 4. Celtic Tattoos, Christian Symbols?
Source: @meli_wolf_ttt via Instagram
While similar to the triquetra (the Celtic knot) in meaning, it’s believed the triskele conjoined spirals are a much older Irish symbol that has retained its basic Celtic belief tied to nature, motion, and numerology. The symbol meanings, while certainly similar, don’t have the same connotation to Christianity that the Celtic trinity knot, Celtic Cross, and other knotwork does. The Celtic knot symbol was adopted by the Catholic church early on – as a means to help convert followers with an identifiable Irish symbol – and has crafted a long association to the Holy Trinity. The Celtic cross reinforced the church’s position by linking old Celtic tradition with the “modern” symbol of God. 5. Simple Black Ink Triskelion Source: @loryisi via Instagram The triskelion tattoo is most often a simple etching in black ink of varying thicknesses depending on the size and placement of the tattoo. A skillful tattoo artist can make each spiral of the triskele symbol play off each other simply to create harmony and balance. One common variation to this is to create a circle or wedge of black ink that contrasts the negative space (non-tattooed) gaps in the design to make a more complete circle. 6. Elaborate Tribal Tattoo Source: @demidov_ila via Instagram The skills of tribal tattoo designers have progressed a long way from only etching simple black ink and negative space tattoos. For Norse mythology Celtic tribal tattoo designs, popular images such as the triskelion, the triquetra, the Valknut (a series of three interlocking triangles), and the triquetra (Celtic knot) can now be brought to life in more exciting ways that create extra layers of deep meaning to each piece. 7. Other Triskele Style Designs Source: @handpoked_gelfwai via Instagram The increased focus on tattoo artists’ skills for transferring each ancient symbol like the triskele, means more interesting design styles are coming into play. These techniques include:
Dotwork Stone effects Classical black and gray laying Neo-traditional color and watercolor tattoos Photorealism
Whether it’s a classically Irish Celtic symbol or a large-scale piece dedicated to runes and Norse mythology, modern triskele tattoos have begun to develop contemporary style and application techniques.
See more about - Angel Wing Tattoo Meaning – What Do Angel Wing Tattoos Symbolize?
The triskelion is a powerful symbol that remains popular with tattoo lovers on every continent, despite being central to Celtic beliefs and pre-Christian religions. The triskelion symbol – a trio of interlocked spirals radiating out from a central point – is associated with concepts of continuous motion and movement; life, death, rebirth, and eternal life; the mind, body, and spirit; and the past, present, and future. These days the Ancient Celtic symbol is also used in tribal tattoo designs by the tattoo enthusiast looking for ink with symbolic meanings tied to their heritage. The following article details the triskelion tattoo design’s deep meaning in relation to other images from Celtic mythology, while also examining popular ways body art lovers create individually different Celtic tattoos.
- Triskelion Tattoo Meaning Source: @connorbrookstattoos via Instagram The different concepts you can ascribe to triskelion tattoo art are wide and varied and are generally based on what the subject most relates to, for that particular tattoo enthusiast. Interpretations of the triskelion symbol include:
The spiritual meaning of life, death, and rebirth (eternal life) The mind, body, and spirit The past, present, and future Principles of numerology Continuous motion (like time and tides)
It’s a popular tattoo design idea surrounding concepts and symbols that revolve around three objects, ideas, or states, and is known as well for its aesthetic beauty as part of geometric iconography. 2. The Triskele in Ancient Culture Source: @blacksparrowsanse via Instagram The word triskelion comes from the Greek language and means “three-legged,” but the symbol of three interlocking spirals moving outward from a center point is much older than that recorded in language. The triskele is most commonly associated with Celtic culture, but the image is widespread amongst the ancient tribes of Europe. It was likely used and adopted by “civilized” trading societies such as the Greeks, Romans, and Persians, and then made even more popular during the time of Norse raiders and traders during the early part of the Middle Ages. 3. Ancient Celtic Symbol Source: @skinkiller_tattoo_gr via Instagram The triskele, or triple spiral, is perhaps the oldest Celtic symbol. To the ancient Celts, the symbol had a lot of meanings involving nature and held great spiritual meaning within the various pagan religions. Triskelion Celtic art, sculpture, and tattoo have largely kept its mystique as an ancient symbol, being linked with the mind, body, and spirit, or more basic interpretations of life, death, and rebirth. 4. Celtic Tattoos, Christian Symbols?
Source: @meli_wolf_ttt via Instagram
While similar to the triquetra (the Celtic knot) in meaning, it’s believed the triskele conjoined spirals are a much older Irish symbol that has retained its basic Celtic belief tied to nature, motion, and numerology. The symbol meanings, while certainly similar, don’t have the same connotation to Christianity that the Celtic trinity knot, Celtic Cross, and other knotwork does. The Celtic knot symbol was adopted by the Catholic church early on – as a means to help convert followers with an identifiable Irish symbol – and has crafted a long association to the Holy Trinity. The Celtic cross reinforced the church’s position by linking old Celtic tradition with the “modern” symbol of God. 5. Simple Black Ink Triskelion Source: @loryisi via Instagram The triskelion tattoo is most often a simple etching in black ink of varying thicknesses depending on the size and placement of the tattoo. A skillful tattoo artist can make each spiral of the triskele symbol play off each other simply to create harmony and balance. One common variation to this is to create a circle or wedge of black ink that contrasts the negative space (non-tattooed) gaps in the design to make a more complete circle. 6. Elaborate Tribal Tattoo Source: @demidov_ila via Instagram The skills of tribal tattoo designers have progressed a long way from only etching simple black ink and negative space tattoos. For Norse mythology Celtic tribal tattoo designs, popular images such as the triskelion, the triquetra, the Valknut (a series of three interlocking triangles), and the triquetra (Celtic knot) can now be brought to life in more exciting ways that create extra layers of deep meaning to each piece. 7. Other Triskele Style Designs Source: @handpoked_gelfwai via Instagram The increased focus on tattoo artists’ skills for transferring each ancient symbol like the triskele, means more interesting design styles are coming into play. These techniques include:
Dotwork Stone effects Classical black and gray laying Neo-traditional color and watercolor tattoos Photorealism
Whether it’s a classically Irish Celtic symbol or a large-scale piece dedicated to runes and Norse mythology, modern triskele tattoos have begun to develop contemporary style and application techniques.
See more about - Angel Wing Tattoo Meaning – What Do Angel Wing Tattoos Symbolize?
The triskelion is a powerful symbol that remains popular with tattoo lovers on every continent, despite being central to Celtic beliefs and pre-Christian religions.
The triskelion symbol – a trio of interlocked spirals radiating out from a central point – is associated with concepts of continuous motion and movement; life, death, rebirth, and eternal life; the mind, body, and spirit; and the past, present, and future.
These days the Ancient Celtic symbol is also used in tribal tattoo designs by the tattoo enthusiast looking for ink with symbolic meanings tied to their heritage.
The following article details the triskelion tattoo design’s deep meaning in relation to other images from Celtic mythology, while also examining popular ways body art lovers create individually different Celtic tattoos.
1. Triskelion Tattoo Meaning
Source: @connorbrookstattoos via Instagram
The different concepts you can ascribe to triskelion tattoo art are wide and varied and are generally based on what the subject most relates to, for that particular tattoo enthusiast.
Interpretations of the triskelion symbol include:
- The spiritual meaning of life, death, and rebirth (eternal life)
- The mind, body, and spirit
- The past, present, and future
- Principles of numerology
- Continuous motion (like time and tides)
It’s a popular tattoo design idea surrounding concepts and symbols that revolve around three objects, ideas, or states, and is known as well for its aesthetic beauty as part of geometric iconography.
2. The Triskele in Ancient Culture
Source: @blacksparrowsanse via Instagram
The word triskelion comes from the Greek language and means “three-legged,” but the symbol of three interlocking spirals moving outward from a center point is much older than that recorded in language.
The triskele is most commonly associated with Celtic culture, but the image is widespread amongst the ancient tribes of Europe.
It was likely used and adopted by “civilized” trading societies such as the Greeks, Romans, and Persians, and then made even more popular during the time of Norse raiders and traders during the early part of the Middle Ages.
3. Ancient Celtic Symbol
Source: @skinkiller_tattoo_gr via Instagram
The triskele, or triple spiral, is perhaps the oldest Celtic symbol. To the ancient Celts, the symbol had a lot of meanings involving nature and held great spiritual meaning within the various pagan religions.
Triskelion Celtic art, sculpture, and tattoo have largely kept its mystique as an ancient symbol, being linked with the mind, body, and spirit, or more basic interpretations of life, death, and rebirth.
4. Celtic Tattoos, Christian Symbols?
Source: @meli_wolf_ttt via Instagram
While similar to the triquetra (the Celtic knot) in meaning, it’s believed the triskele conjoined spirals are a much older Irish symbol that has retained its basic Celtic belief tied to nature, motion, and numerology.
Source: @meli_wolf_ttt via Instagram
The symbol meanings, while certainly similar, don’t have the same connotation to Christianity that the Celtic trinity knot, Celtic Cross, and other knotwork does.
The Celtic knot symbol was adopted by the Catholic church early on – as a means to help convert followers with an identifiable Irish symbol – and has crafted a long association to the Holy Trinity. The Celtic cross reinforced the church’s position by linking old Celtic tradition with the “modern” symbol of God.
5. Simple Black Ink Triskelion
Source: @loryisi via Instagram
The triskelion tattoo is most often a simple etching in black ink of varying thicknesses depending on the size and placement of the tattoo.
A skillful tattoo artist can make each spiral of the triskele symbol play off each other simply to create harmony and balance.
One common variation to this is to create a circle or wedge of black ink that contrasts the negative space (non-tattooed) gaps in the design to make a more complete circle.
6. Elaborate Tribal Tattoo
Source: @demidov_ila via Instagram
The skills of tribal tattoo designers have progressed a long way from only etching simple black ink and negative space tattoos.
For Norse mythology Celtic tribal tattoo designs, popular images such as the triskelion, the triquetra, the Valknut (a series of three interlocking triangles), and the triquetra (Celtic knot) can now be brought to life in more exciting ways that create extra layers of deep meaning to each piece.
7. Other Triskele Style Designs
Source: @handpoked_gelfwai via Instagram
The increased focus on tattoo artists’ skills for transferring each ancient symbol like the triskele, means more interesting design styles are coming into play. These techniques include:
- Dotwork
- Stone effects
- Classical black and gray laying
- Neo-traditional color and watercolor tattoos
- Photorealism
Whether it’s a classically Irish Celtic symbol or a large-scale piece dedicated to runes and Norse mythology, modern triskele tattoos have begun to develop contemporary style and application techniques.
See more about - Angel Wing Tattoo Meaning – What Do Angel Wing Tattoos Symbolize?
See more about - Angel Wing Tattoo Meaning – What Do Angel Wing Tattoos Symbolize?
