22 AVIOTH (5): two pre-Christian symbols / 2 the Triskele

Avioth, Triskele

The Triskele, consisting of three connected curves or spirals, is very common in Celtic art. It is the symbol of Brittany. At Avioth, the above Triskele can be found on the ‘Recevresse’, a unique Gothic tower like building next to the entrance of the cemetery, where the Madonna ‘received’ the pilgrims’ offerings. At  Avioth, the Triskele is used as an ornamental symbol of the Holy Trinity.

The Triskele is a tripartite symbol, and dates back to the Neolithic. It is found on megalithic passage graves like Newgrange (3200 BC) and on Bronze Age pottery. In Celtic culture the Triskele symbolizes the three levels of their universe, three overlapping worlds:
·         Gwynvyd, the upperworld;
·         Abred, this world;
·         Annwn, the underworld.
Sometimes it stands for the Triple Goddess (maiden, mother, crone) and the waxing, waning and full moon.

The Celts (and many other cultures) ascribed obviously great significance to the number three. They believed that the world works in powers of three. To them, everything of importance consisted of  three phases (birth, life, death / young, mature, old / past, present, future / mother, father, child / birth, death, rebirth / physical, emotional, spiritual). In a way, the Triskele is a glyph expressing the number three, the Triad, everything consisting of three elements.

The triad forms the base of many ‘Esoteric Systems’ and of the Perennial Tradition, the single stream of ‘initiation’ teachings flowing through all the authentic expressions of spirituality.

Avioth, the Recevresse