Friday 23 November 2012

Things in Threes - Triquetra Symbol

I have always been fascinated how many of things we come into contact with on a daily basis come in threes or have connections to the number three.

Just to start off -
  • Earth is the third planet in the solar system.
  • Atoms consist of three constituents protons, neutrons and electrons.
  • White light is a mixture of the three primary colours red, green and blue. 
  • Family Mother, Father & Child - Trinity Father, Son & Holy Spirit - Triple Goddess Maiden, Mother & Crone
  • Past Present & Future
  • Mind Body & Spirit
  • Power Wisdom & Love
  • Several cities are known as Tripoli from the Greek for three cities.
  • Counting to three is common eg if you are angry to calm down, if a group want to do something together they count to 3.
  • In music there are three notes in a triad which is the basic form to any chord.
  • Three repetitions of a rhythmic pattern is called a tihai in Indian classical music.
  • It is considered lucky to have things happen in threes.
  • There are three words in motto's eg united we stand and love thy neighbour
  • Three are three books in a trilogy
  • Macbeth had three witches
  • The game Paper Rock Scissors has three items.
  • Triathlons have three components swimming, bicycling and running
  • The human ear has three canals and the inner ear has three ossicles.
  • World religion contains triple deities or concepts - Christian Holy Trinity, Triple Goddess in Wicca, Three Pure Ones in Taoism, Three Jewels in Buddhism, Tridevi in Hindu (Great Trinity Goddesses Saravati, Lakshmi and Parvati) Trimurti in Hindu (Great Trinity as Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara) 
  • Triangle - three sides when pointing up affirming masculine energies and when pointing down affirming female energies.

  • Three is the largest number written with as many lines as it is a number. The ancient Romans use to write four as IIII but this was replaced by IV.

Photo Source http://en.wikipedia.org

Triquetra originally meant "triangle" and was used to refer to various three-cornered shapes. Nowadays, it has come to refer exclusively to a particular more complicated shape formed of three vesicae piscis, sometimes with an added circle in or around it. This has been used as a religious symbol of things and persons that are threefold.

The triquetra has been found on runestones in Northern Europe and on early Germanic coins. It presumably had pagan religious meaning and it bears a resemblance to the Valknut, a symbol associated with Odin.

It is also found on Celtic crosses and slabs from the early Christian period. The fact that the triquetra rarely stood alone in medieval Celtic art has cast reasonable doubt on its use as a primary symbol of belief. In manuscripts it was used primarily as a space filler or ornament in much more complex compositions, and in knotwork panels it is a design motif integrated with other design elements. Celtic art lives on as both a living folk art tradition and through several revivals. This widely recognized knot has been used as a singular symbol for the past two centuries by Celtic Christians, Pagans and agnostics as a sign of special things and persons that are threefold.

Christians believe that the three points represent the three elements of the trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost). Pagans, which are basically modern offshoots of the original Celts/Druids, take a more tellurium approach to the symbolism, seeing it as a representation of the natural forces: earth, air, and water. On a more spiritual level, it has also been known to symbolize life, death, and rebirth. There are also several other meanings that basically boil down to one thing: three separate entities that are inter-connected.
Sometimes, the traditional triquetra symbol is accompanied by a circle. The circle, in many belief systems, is a symbol of eternity. Whether it is the eternity of God's love or the eternal circle of life itself, the circle adds even more weight to the significance of the triquetra.

Photo Source http://www.zazzle.com.au

The Funbo runestones constitute a group of four runestones originally from Funbo in the province of Uppland, Sweden which were raised by members of the same family during the eleventh century.  Chronologically U 999 is the oldest inscription and is followed by U 990 and then the two stones U 937 and U 991.

Runestone U 999 has text within a band that ends in a serpent head and was raised by Haursi and his brother after their father. This granite stone is 1.65 meters in height and is considered to have the oldest inscription of the four runestones from Funbo.

English translation Haursi and Ketill raised these stones in memory of Þegn , their father; in memory of the good husbandman of Funnir/Fúnir

Photo Source http://en.wikipedia.org
Runestone U 991, which is composed of granite and is 1.5 meters in height, consists of runic text within a serpent that circles a central beast. Although having different imagery, it contains the same message in its inscription as U 937. Because they have the same message, it has been suggested that they once formed part of a coupled memorial at the same site to the deceased brother Veðr. These are considered to be the most recent of the four Funbo inscriptions and, although unsigned, are attributed to the runemaster Fot. 

Photo Source http://en.wikipedia.org

Runestone U 990 has its runic text within a serpent that circles a central Christian cross. It remains in its original location in Funbo. It is composed of granite and is 1.5 meters in height. Characterized by runic bands that end with animal heads when seen from above.

English translation Veðr and Thane and Gunnar raised this stone after Haursi, their father. God help his soul.

Photo Source http://en.wikipedia.org

Found in Uppsala in 1875 in the walls of a Francisan Monastery between the streets of St. Persgatan and Klostergatan, and is currently located at a park in Uppsala University is the runestone U937. The fact that its inscription mentions names from the same family as the runestones of Funbo, shows that it was formerly part of the same group. Like many other runestones, it had been used as construction material at a time when the historical significance of the stones was not understood. This runestone has slim and stylized animals that are interwoven into tight patterns. The animals heads are typically seen in profile with slender almond-shaped eyes and upwardly curled appendages on the noses and the necks. On this stone the runic text lies within a serpent that circles a triquetra, which would have been considered a high status motif.

Because the runic text of runestones U 937 and U 991 have the same message, it has been suggested that they were once at the same site and formed a coupled memorial to the deceased brother Veðr. They are considered to be the most recent of the four Funbo inscriptions and, although unsigned, are considered to be the work of the runemaster Fot. 

English translation Thane and Gunnar raised this stone after Veðr, their brother.

Photo Source http://en.wikipedia.org

As seen in the above runestone the triquetra symbol is drawn differently the common symbol of earth, wind, and sky in the worship of druidic goddesses.

Vodicka Triquetra 

A triad, in simplest terms, is defined as a "group of three". The first of plane figures in Sacred Geometry and one of the most significant. Considered to be the most stable of forms. The number three represents equilibrium. It is represented by the sacred triangle, the first shape to have a beginning, middle, and an end. The triad represents time as it is the past, present and future. Three also represents creation, for it symbolic of the monad, the Divine Father, and the duad, the Great Mother, and out of the two, the world was created. In this aspect, three represents the soul of man.

The triangle is the archetype symbol of a sacred enclosure, since space cannot be bounded by fewer than three lines. The triangle is thus conceived as the first closed figure to emerge when creation emerged from chaos. In this aspect it is known as the root of all manifested nature. The rhythm of creation is crystallized in this primal form. Tantra calls the triangle the cone of fire, a reference to its shape. This is the fire of aspiration which is ever burning in the heart of the spiritual seeker.

Triangle is triune nature of the Universe – earth, sky and human. Triangle is one of the most powerful and universal symbols. Triangle inside a circle means triune, the world of forms, enclosed in eternity circle. Swastika inside triangle symbolizes cosmic harmony. Three triangles of rays form represent an ancient form of World Triple Light.

In various ancient cultures great importance attached to this form. In antiquity times with triangle associated origin of Milky Way and three stars - Deneb, Vega and Altair, which forming triangle shape on the sky. Chaldean religion equilateral triangle symbolizes the light of life. At Pythagoras school the same form means light, symbol of health and wisdom. Ancient Egypt triangle was a symbol of beautiful and fertile land. In Hinduism, point-down triangle representing the symbol of female energy (Shakti). Shakti principle connected with water and underground kingdom power. The point upwards triangle was male energy principle (Shiva). Shiva symbolizes fire and celestial power. Combining two triangles together will form 6 ultimate star which means unification of male and female principle (Shiva - Shakti), the victory of spirit over matter. In ancient Europe point upwards triangle meant tongue of flame and male fire. Point down triangle meant water that go down from the mountain tops to the earth.

One of the most common uses we see of the triangle is a pyramid which is the circle, squared off. All of its sides are triangles for the most stable of forms. The stress is spread out in an almost circular fashion. In esoteric terms, it means the way of mind, body and spirit, as one unit. Three dimensions in action, thought, the body that houses it, and the spirit that moves it.

Photo Source http://www.examiner.com - The Merkaba

The Merkaba is a geometrically precise field that is formed from the pattern of the first eight cells of the fertilized zygote. The location of these eight cells is in the geometrical center of the human body in the base or root chakra. The eight cells also provide the center point for all of the energy fields and grids that surround the body. Thus, the Merkaba field is the matrix of creation.

The Merkaba, the first of many geo forms that make up the body is one of the things that allow us to astral project. Your Light body as its called, is a grid work of light and geometry that brings together your physical, mental and spiritual being. This body radiates light energy and electromagnetically links your multidimensional self with the infinite universe. It connects you to your encoded data through high electrical currents that assist you in translating and manifesting your hidden talents and soul purpose. As you activate, build and integrate your Light body, you reorganize your molecular structure, allowing your body to be less dense and more free to express itself with the source of the universe."

Another thing that I have always done is have my past business name and now this blog name as an aliteration of three words. I don't really know why I am so drawn to use these types of titles other than I think they are very catchy and will be remembered.

Just for fun I put the blog name Gratitude Grace Growth into the following website, specialising in calculating business names, which gives a numerological reading (The insights that numerology can give us is just amazing) of the name and here is what it said.
http://www.numberquest.com/knowledge_free_numerology_calculator_word.php

Expression: 104 / 5 

You use life changes like rungs on a ladder. Growth, variety, beginnings and endings are constant elements in your life. You are able to let go of anything or anyone in order to further your growth. Because of this ability, coupled with a talent for translating new ideas into logical, useful explanations, you would make a great teacher and/or writer. Travel is something you are made for, even if only through your mind.

Soul Urge: 30 / 3 
Your urge is to bring hope, joy and beauty to all you meet. You feel the best when you are in beautiful and comfortable surroundings. You have a creative essence and use your inspiration and imagination to make others happy. You enjoy attention and admiration, and you desire recognition for your talents.

Personality: 74 / 11 / 2 
You have a very neat, composed appearance to the outside world. Peaceful and unobtrusive, you are the one people go to for companionship and harmony. You seem to have a quiet, non-judgmental wisdom which attracts those needing advise and an objective point of view. Your ability to see both sides of a situation makes you appear indecisive.


This is what it said about my old business name Simply Stylish Stamping

Expression: 98 / 17 / 8 
Business, power and money are in your blood. You are the steadfast executive who attains their goals through hard work, amazing courage and untiring determination. People elect you to lead them because of your aura of control and confidence. You like things BIG, and secretly, you like them lavish. Physical strength and stamina make you a likely sports enthusiast as well. Your expression will most likely find you financially supporting others in some way.

Soul Urge: 42 / 6 
Love, giving it and getting it is your main concern. You are drawn to people and situations that allow you to express your ability to harmonize, heal and sympathize. Family relationships take up much of your attention as you always like to know what's going on, and you are good at resolving conflict. Beauty and the arts or decorating are also ways that you may express yourself.

Personality: 56 / 11 / 2 
You have a very neat, composed appearance to the outside world. Peaceful and unobtrusive, you are the one people go to for companionship and harmony. You seem to have a quiet, non-judgmental wisdom which attracts those needing advise and an objective point of view. Your ability to see both sides of a situation makes you appear indecisive.

In my next blog I will continue on the theme of three and discuss the Triple Goddess so keep posted.



No comments: