The History of the Triskelion Symbol
The only question I seem to get whenever I mention that I have started a jewelry company or people see my necklace is, “What does that symbol mean?” Well, God’s honest truth is that it was a decision that was formed from the common ground of a former business partner and myself. The symbol is called a triskelion or triskele.
The triskelion is a spiral that consists of three symmetrical swirls. The symbol can be traced back to many ancient cultures scattered across Europe and Asia; however, the triskele is associated mainly with the Irish and the Celtic. The triskelion is broken down from the Greek words “tri” and “skelos.” Tri meaning “three” and “skelos” meaning “legs.” The earliest dates that could be connected to the Celtic symbol go back as early as 500 BC.
Over the years, the triskele has adopted many different definitions. Originally, life, death, and rebirth were believed to be one of the first interpretations ever depicted for this phrase. Movement, another theme of the symbol, stems from the spirals which create the illusion of the legs moving outward from the center. This signifies the energies of action, cycles, progress, and evolution. It is also believed from the Celtic culture that the three legs represent the three worlds: spiritual, physical, and celestial being. The determining factor of the symbolic relevance of the three legs of the triskelion, is largely influenced by the era, culture, mythology, and history of the people interpreting it, which is why there are many different variations to what the triskelion portrays worldwide.
Since there are many contradicting versions of what this symbol could mean, Garrett’s Karats has branded their own and proclaim it as the “Halo of Life.” We believe in spreading positivity as many times as we are shown an opportunity. The “halo” which revolves a bright light in a full rotation that appears above one’s head, is a signifier of pureness or innocence; while “life” is a constant battle of balancing sin and providing goodness into the world. This necklace is a reminder to us that during life’s many stages, we will always have the opportunity to share goodness and beam light into this world.