Triskeles

View All Tags

The triskeles, also known as the triskele or triskelion, is a symbol consisting of three interlocking spirals or three human legs arranged in a triangular formation. This motif was prevalent in ancient Greek art and coinage, where it carried a variety of symbolic meanings tied to concepts of motion, balance, and unity.

One of the central themes of the triskeles in Greek symbolism is movement and dynamic energy. The three legs or spirals suggest continuous motion, often interpreted as a symbol of the cycle of life, the passage of time, and the interconnection of past, present, and future. The design was frequently used to convey the idea of eternal motion, as the rotating legs or spirals seem to be in perpetual motion, reflecting the Greeks’ fascination with cycles, particularly those of nature and time.

The triskeles also symbolized balance and harmony. The symmetrical arrangement of the three legs or spirals represented a perfect equilibrium, with each part of the design being interconnected and dependent on the others. In this sense, the triskeles could be seen as a reflection of the Greek philosophical ideas about the balance between the physical world, the divine, and the moral or ethical order.