close-up of a triquetra on one of the Funbo Runestones. See photo of whole runestone below.
A triquetra design on cover of replica of the Book of Shadows.

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.

The triquetra has been found on eighth-century runestones in northern Europe, and it also appears on early Scandinavian coins. It presumably had pagan religious meaning. It bears a resemblance to the Odin Knot or Valknut.

Some have suggested that, like the valknut, triquetrae were the symbol of Odin, while others have suggested it was a symbol of the trinity of the goddess of the Celts: virgin, mother and crone. Consequently, it is often referred to as a Celtic symbol.

We do know that it was definitely later used by Christians as a symbol of their trinity (father, son and holy ghost). This appropriation was particularly easy because the triquetra conveniently incorporated three shapes that could be interpreted as Christian Ιχθυς symbols.

In modern times, the symbol has again been appropriated, this time by neo-pagans or "Wiccans", who claim the original Celtic or Norse origins of the triquetra.

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.

English speakers often find the word "triquetra" difficult to pronounce, and so one very often hears it pronounced with the u and/or the second r made silent.

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