The Celtic trinity knot is a very simple, but powerful symbol and very suitable for a tattoo. It is a triangle knot, the 3 corners have various meanings:
- Christian: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- Pagan: Mother, Crone and Maiden
- New age: Mind, body and spirit
Suggested Celtic symbolic meanings for the triquetra (trinity) include:
- Spirit, Mind, Body
- Father, Son, Holy Ghost
- Mother, Father, Child
- Past, Present, Future
- Power, Intellect, Love
- Creator, Destroyer, Sustainer
- Creation, Preservation, Destruction
- Thought, Feeling, Emotion
- Mother, Maiden, Crone
- Other world, Mortal world, Celestial world
To the ancient Celtic mind, it may also signify the lunar or solar phases. This conclusion is made as we see the trinity/triquetra motif alongside other solar and lunar symbols in ancient remants and archeological digs.
Validating this theory, we know the Celts honored the Great Mother, a lunar goddess who was actually three personifications in one (three lunar phases and faces of the goddess).
The Celtic symbol for trinity may also pertain to the three Bridgits. Bridgit is one powerful goddess (aspect of Danu), who embodies three aspects which are:
- Art
- Healing
- Metalsmithing
The circle often seen around the triquetra signifies the infinite and eternity. It also represents protection. Circles are often drawn around Celtic knots to represent spiritual unity with the devine – a connection that shall cannot be broken.
This wide array of interpretations reminds us that the meanings of these engaging knots are not set in stone. As mentioned, sketchy remnants of historical records on the subject causes us to use our own powers of deduction.
