The Triple Spiral (Triskele): Symbol of the Celtic Goddess

Carved into stone long before the written word, the Triple Spiral, or Triskele, is one of the most enduring symbols of Celtic spirituality. Found etched into monuments like the stones of Newgrange in Ireland, it embodies the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, as well as the sacred triads that shape Celtic thought.

For many, it is a goddess symbol—a representation of the Triple Goddess, the divine feminine expressed as Maiden, Mother, and Crone. To others, it represents movement, eternity, and the interconnectedness of earth, sky, and sea.

“The Triskele is a spiral that never ends, a reminder that life itself is a cycle of becoming, transforming, and returning.”

What Is the Triskele?

The word Triskele (sometimes spelled Triskelion) comes from the Greek for “three-legged,” but its Celtic meaning runs deeper. The design consists of three spirals joined at a central point, radiating outward in continuous curves.

Its meaning is fluid but often tied to:

• Cycles of life – birth, death, rebirth.

• Goddess archetypes – Maiden, Mother, Crone.

• Elements of nature – land, sea, sky.

• Time – past, present, future.

• Movement – the eternal flow of life’s energy.

See also: Goddess Symbols.

The Triskele in Celtic Mythology

Link to the Triple Goddess

The Triple Goddess archetype finds its most powerful expression in the Triskele. Each spiral embodies one aspect:

• The Maiden – youth, independence, new beginnings.

• The Mother – fertility, growth, and creation.

• The Crone – wisdom, endings, and transformation.

Together, the spirals reveal life not as a straight line, but a circle of sacred stages.

See more: The Triple Goddess.

Newgrange and Ancient Monuments

The Triskele appears prominently at Newgrange, a 5,000-year-old passage tomb in Ireland. Scholars believe the symbol reflects not only spiritual cycles but also solar and lunar alignments. Its association with light, seasons, and time reinforce its role as a sacred calendar.

Other Interpretations

The Triskele is also connected to:

• The Tuatha Dé Danann – gods and goddesses of Irish myth, many of whom embody triple aspects.

• The Morrígna – triple war goddesses (Morrigan, Badb, Macha).

• Nature’s triads – earth, water, and sky.

See also: Celtic Goddesses.

Symbolism of the Triple Spiral

The Triskele’s beauty lies in its layered meanings:

• Movement and eternity – its spirals imply ongoing motion.

• Sacred threes – a central theme in Celtic belief.

• Balance – light and dark, feminine and masculine, beginning and ending.

• Divine femininity – particularly when associated with the goddess Brigid and the Triple Goddess.

See also: Goddess Types.

The Triskele as a Goddess Symbol

The Triple Spiral is often invoked as a goddess emblem, tied to life-giving power, sovereignty, and transformation. It represents not only the cycles of women’s lives but also the sacred feminine as a whole—flowing, interconnected, and eternal.

Modern goddess spirituality often places the Triskele on altars, jewelry, and ritual tools as a symbol of empowerment and continuity.

Rituals and Practices with the Triskele

In ancient and modern contexts, the Triskele is used in:

• Meditation – visualizing life’s cycles and balance.

• Seasonal rites – honoring solstices and equinoxes.

• Goddess worship – invoking Maiden, Mother, and Crone.

• Healing work – calling upon the balance of the three spirals for renewal.

See also: Goddess Worship and Rituals.

Conclusion

The Triple Spiral (Triskele) is more than an ancient carving—it is a living symbol of cycles, transformation, and the sacred feminine. From the stones of Newgrange to modern altars, it endures as a goddess symbol of eternity, wholeness, and divine movement.

Explore more:

• The Triple Goddess

• Celtic Goddesses

• Goddess Symbols

“To wear or invoke the Triskele is to remember that life moves in cycles, and each turn of the spiral brings wisdom.”